How Televangelists Actually Work

 

Sep 17, 2026

Costi Hinn is an American pastor and author known for publicly criticizing the "prosperity gospel" televangelism model popularized by his uncle, Benny Hinn. He spent years participating in international healing crusades and ministry events associated with the Benny Hinn organization, before distancing himself from the movement in the early 2010s. Benny Hinn's televangelist prosperity gospel empire teaches that faith and donations can bring wealth and health. Hinn's luxurious lifestyle and ministry finances were scrutinized, along with those of other televangelists, in the US Senate in 2008 amid concern about their tax-exempt status. In 2017, IRS agents executed a search warrant at his multimillion-dollar ministry headquarters. No resulting charges or enforcement action have ever been publicly announced. Costi Hinn speaks to Business Insider about his experiences inside the televangelist world, including private jets, luxury lifestyles, staged healing environments, and fundraising tactics used by some high-profile ministries. The board of directors of Benny Hinn Ministries disputes Costi's depiction of Benny Hinn and the organization, saying in an emailed statement: "The allegations and characterizations attributed to Costi Hinn are false and categorically rejected."