American Evangelist Turned Away From Britain Over Visa Problem

Britain has changed its rules on the entry of religious workers into the country, and the change last week prevented American evangelist Benny Hinn from entering to conduct his annual three-day "Fire Conference and Miracle Service." Yesterday's Times Online reports that Border Agency officials turned Hinn's private jet away at two different airports because he did not have a "letter of sponsorship" from a church as required by the Tier 5- Temporary Workers- Religious Workers requirements that came into effect last November. Thousands had come to London for Hinn's mission at the ExCeL exhibition centre, and were surprised when he did not appear. According to a posting on the Benny Hinn Ministry website, Hinn did end up addressing the conference via satellite link. It blames the problem on British lawyers who did not properly interpret Britain's new visa requirements. Plans are under way for Hinn to obtain a visa and return to Britain. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]