Benny Hinn was denied entry into the UK for this past weekend’s Fire Conference and Miracle Service at the ExCeL centre in London, yet according to his website, bennyhinn.org, live video links allowed him to still minister to those in attendance, reports Peter Wooding, special to ASSIST News Service.
According to the Daily Telegraph Border Agency officials turned back Mr Hinn, who landed by private jet, because he had failed to bring a valid sponsorship certificate from his church, required under rules introduced last November.
The Pentecostal preacher, who was due to perform at the three day event, flew on to Paris, and attempted – and failed – to regain entry to Britain via Luton.
His website explained that a recent immigration regulation caused the blocked entry and the large crowds met the announcement during the services with disappointment. But they continued to express widespread enthusiasm for Bishop John Francis, who stepped in to preach each service, and for the live links that allowed Pastor Benny to both explain the unfortunate situation and to minister during the Miracle Service.
“When I landed in the United Kingdom, I was informed that under British law, there is now a recently passed regulation called a Tier 5 Concession, which meant that I could not enter the country to preach without a visa,” explained Mr Hinn.
He added: “Attorneys sought to work out this challenge, and the officials treated me very well, yet in the end, the result was that I could not participate in the conference or Miracle Service in person.”
“I am not an attorney; I am a man of God. I have always obeyed the laws of men, and I will continue to obey the laws of men to the minutest details. I ask the people who attended the services to forgive me for not having known prior to my arrival that such a law existed in the United Kingdom.
“Even though neither I nor my staff was informed of this regulation, we are still responsible in the sight of God to obey the laws of men. I promise you, my partners—and I promise you before God—this will not happen again. You have my promise and my word as one who fears the Lord that this situation will be corrected and it shall not happen again!”
Plans are already in place to get the necessary visas for Pastor Benny Hinn to be able to come and preach the Gospel in the United Kingdom.
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