Televangelist Benny Hinn, known for his Miracle Crusades and the popular television show “This Is Your Day,” was ordered to pay Mail America Communications a whopping $3 million after 15 years of non-payment, a New York District Court decided.
The mail-order company was sending mailers to supporters of World Healing Center Church, Hinn’s church. However, the ministry fell behind its payment obligations falling $5.6 million in arrears by 2012. The church then offered a promissory note in the principal amount of $5,621,851.62, the suit said.
They defaulted in October 2017 under the 2014 Forbearance Agreement by failing to make any further payments. On July 19, 2018, the parties executed another forbearance agreement — leading to the same result, and a 3.1 million balance.
“Nothing in Defendant’s opposition papers demonstrates more than ‘some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts,'” the court opinion stated.
The ministry allegedly tried to get Mail America‘s lawsuit dismissed.
Hinn made headlines in 2019 when he denounced those who promote the prosperity gospel. “I think it’s time we say it like it is: The gospel is not for sale. And the blessings of God are not for sale, and miracles are not for sale, and prosperity is not for sale,” he said.
RNS reported that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) concluded a three-year inquiry of alleged spending by six broadcast ministries in 2011. Hinn’s ministry was one that “made significant reforms to their operations, after Grassley’s investigation.
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—By CNJ Staff