Hellon saga goes on as Hinn’s wife files for divorce

Stevens Muendo

Suzanne Hinn, the wife of faith healer and televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce even as rumours emerge that the preacher has a connection to the Finger of God Church in the middle of controversy.

Suzanne filed for divorce in Orange County Superior Court as Joseph Hellon, the leader of the Finger of God Church, disclosed that Benny Hinn was his spiritual leader.

Hellon and his church are pitted in a murky controversy that the church had some "cult-like" practices. The saga also involves former TV queen Esther Arunga — who has since denied that she belongs to a cult — and Quincy Timberlake aka Fizzle Dogg, a Kenyan-South African businessman.

"Benny Hinn has been my spiritual leader since 1996," said Hellon, an established saxophone player.

An email purportedly sent to Hellon by Hinn read: "I see Esther becoming a prominent personality in your government."

Another one purportedly from Hellon to Hinn read: "My daughter Esther is seated at my table looking beautiful and happy…I feel she shouldn’t go back to KTN and I have told her already. Kindly advice."

And indeed, the two admitted that they are going into politics, Hellon gunning for the presidency with Esther as his running mate.

During his visit in Nairobi in 2000, four people including two children died while attending his crusade. The four had been released from a hospital to be cured at the ‘miracle crusade’. Critics who included renowned gospel musician Reuben Kigame have since been questioning Hinn’s healing faith.

Over the years, Hinn has been the target of intense criticism from fellow Christians and watchdog groups who call his teachings false and accuse him of raising money only to enrich himself.

He is one of six televangelists under investigation by Sen Charles Grassley, the Iowa Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, over whether he complied with IRS rules for non-profits. Hinn has said on his website that external auditors ensure his compliance with IRS regulations and that in 2008, 88 per cent of the money he collected was spent on his ministry.

Benny Hinn Ministries is based in Grapevine, Texas, and operates a church and television studio in Aliso Viejo in California’s Orange County, according to its website.

His wife cited irreconcilable differences, after more than 30 years of marriage as the reason for the divorce application.

Ironically, the media buzz in the Hellon saga was triggered by the fact that Hellon nullified Esther’s wedding with a member of his church — who has since been excommunicated — and quitting of her media job, something that had to do with activities within the church.

Meanwhile, emails connecting American singer Whitney Houston to Hellon are said to be fake.

One of the emails have it that the singer was Quincy Timberlake’s girlfriend before they broke up and that Whitney is powerless without him.

Apparently, the mails purports that Whitney and Hellon are at war over a Sh25 billion worth Pepsi-Cola world jazz tour.