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Hinn starts his sermon to a packed house at the arena. Photo by Craig L. Moran. Randi McKin of Las Vegas, above, attends the Benny Hinn Miracle Crusade at the Thomas & Mack Center last week. Photo by Craig L. Moran. Rosemary Mohdschein of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., sings with the audience during the Benny Hinn crusade at the Thomas & Mack Center. Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Thursday, February 15, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

RELIGION: Feeling the Spirit

Evangelist Benny Hinn shares his message with Thomas & Mack crowd

The only thing missing is a giant beach ball being batted indiscriminately about the arena floor.

It was just that sort of rock concert ambience that filled the Thomas & Mack Center last week when evangelist Benny Hinn brought his two-day Miracle Crusade to Las Vegas.

In the moments preceding the Feb. 8 service -- the first of three scheduled for Las Vegas -- nervous energy and an anticipatory buzz sweep over the packed house.

By the time the service ends, many in the audience leave as new believers. And those who don't answer Hinn's call to be saved at least see a four-hour extravaganza that combines charismatic Christian theology, preaching, music, witnessing and even a bit of schtick.

According to Hinn's organization, the Christian televangelist reaches millions of people weekly via his half-hour television program, "This Is Your Day" -- broadcast locally at 6:30 a.m. weekdays on KFBT-TV, Channel 33 -- and monthly Miracle Crusades throughout the United States and around the world.

By the start of the first event, an empty seat can't be found in Thomas & Mack Center. Following performances by a locally staffed choir, a white-suited Hinn takes the stage and begins to pray.

"We ask you tonight to change our lives," Hinn prays, his words deep in tone and rolling in cadence, his accent revealing a subtle reminder of his birth and childhood in Israel.

Then, looking around him, Hinn smiles and adds a final request -- that, he says, "the city of Las Vegas will never be the same again."

More music follows, as it does throughout the service. Rousing hymns that bring people out of their seats alternate with traditional standards and contemplative contemporary selections.

Hinn preaches about salvation, and about how easy it is and how hard we make it.

"Jesus did not say on the cross, `To be continued,' " Hinn explains. "He said, `It is finished.'

"Christianity does not begin with `Do.' It begins with `Done.' Religion says, `Do, do, do.' Jesus says, `Don't do a thing. I did it for you. It's done.'

"All you have to do is simply believe it."

Many do. Hinn calls new believers to the stage to accept Jesus and be born again. The area in front of the stage fills quickly, and scores of newly minted Christians spill back into the aisles.

"I'm amazed by what I'm seeing," a smiling Hinn says. "Tonight, we're looking at the greatest miracle: the miracle of salvation."

The service isn't without humor. Hinn talks about seeing Danny Gans' show the night before.

"I enjoyed it immensely," he says, "but I have to say I didn't hardly know any of the people he was imitating."

Later, after a collection is taken, Hinn brings his son and daughter onstage to sing "Happy Birthday" to their mother. Singing would be, he tells the kids, the best gift they could give her.

"I thought it was a hug," the boy says.

"C'mon," Hinn urges.

"How about a kiss?" the boy responds.

Hinn smiles in mock exasperation. "One of these days, he's coming (onstage) wearing a white suit," he tells the crowd.

Before the evening's healing service begins, Hinn reviews Scripture passages that discuss God's healing power.

"God almighty is a healing God," Hinn says.

"I'm here to tell you that you will be healed here tonight," Hinn exhorts to wild applause and scattered choruses of "Amen" and "Hallelujah."

"All you have to do is accept it."

The crowd stands. People cry, close their eyes, lift their hands and raise their faces skyward, smiling. Hinn tells everybody to place their hands over the parts of their bodies that require healing and begins to pray.

"I command the devil to go. In the name of Jesus, be gone!" he says.

A few screams and yelps come from the back of the auditorium.

The believers approach the stage. Before long, the line extends nearly the full length of Thomas & Mack as, one by one, people who believe they have been healed walk onstage and approach Hinn. All come onstage, witness, and, as Hinn anoints them, fall to the floor. Their stated conditions range from back pain and problem pregnancies to more serious illnesses.

Just before 11 p.m., the service winds down with a few final musical selections and Hinn's promise of an even greater program the next day.

Pat Richards of Las Vegas is impressed by the service.

"What I experienced was just the power of God," Richards says. "The other thing that blew me away was looking around the stadium and seeing the whole stadium filled with people worshipping God."

For Debbie Eckelbarger of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., the most moving part of the service -- even more moving than the healing service -- is the altar call.

"It's harder to melt hearts," she explains, "than it is to heal illness."