Some Get Healed, Some Don't At Evangelist Hinn's 3-day 'Festival of Blessings' in Bangalore
By SAR NEWS
BANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- Popular American evangelist Benny Hinn concluded the 3-day "Festival of Blessings" on the night of Jan. 23 amidst mixed reactions from people, some ecstatic, some disappointed and all totally overwhelmed.
The festival, held at the Jakkur airfield, Yelahanka on the outskirts of the city was packed with some 20 lakh faithful and curious people each day. The crowds braved dharnas, bandhs and rough spurts of communal violence to arrive and attend the festival.
Many vehicles that transported people to the venue were damaged in the violence in and around the airfield and in other sensitive parts of the city as well. However, the police soon swung into action and contained the upsurge and with the last two days went off without any untoward incident.
The festival was attended by Christians and non-Christians alike and even saw local politicians including the Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda attending the function and receiving blessings on stage.
Roads around the otherwise quiet area, were dotted with people walking and riding to the event each day through the afternoon and up unto the wee hours of the morning.
Each day, over 2000-member choir mesmerized the crowds at the start of the worship sessions and with Pastor Hinn taking to the stage an hour later. Hours of prayer and worship later, the programme concluded with testimonials of healed persons. Of course, there were the ones that were not healed but the organizers reasoned that only Jesus could heal in His time.
The big question of the whole spiritual fest was the authenticity of the healing ministry. Newspapers carried screaming headlines questioning the "healing" that Hinn provided. Ignoring the fact that Hinn is simply a conduit for healing, people questioned why only some of them received healing to which Hinn replied, "One question I am going to ask Jesus when I meet Him, is why don't some people get healed and some do".
Fighting off accusation of attempting to convert people, Hinn said at a press conference, "I did not come here to convert. I came to tell everyone that healing is available for everyone and God loves all".
The festival probably the largest the city has ever witnessed had several impressive facilities like 67 giant screens, 1,50,000 watts sound, 480 toilets, 26 help desks, ample parking space, first aid centres and the most important, tight security.