Much excitement is expected at the Royal Naval Field in Somerset this weekend as Beulah Tabernacle hosts a weekend-long Holy Spirit Conference under the preaching of international speaker, Henry Hinn.

Perhaps somewhat overshadowed by his brother, Benny Hinn, Henry has enjoyed a successful ministry at Vancouver Christian Centre, which he founded in 1987, as well as globally, both working with his brother, and on his own.

Born in Jaffa, Israel, Henry was one of eight children in a Greek-Orthodox family.

His father was a high-ranking advisor in the Israeli government until the family immigrated to Canada following the Six-Day War in 1968.

At the time, he spoke no English — only Arabic, Hebrew and some French — and so the move was, needless to say, very challenging for the impressionable youngster.

"We moved for peace and for education," he shares, and so his brother, Benny's conversion through friends at school in 1972 was not well received by the family, especially when he told them that he was convinced that God was calling him, a person who had a bad stutter, to preach.

"Dad was upset," Henry recalls. "He told Benny to choose us or Jesus".

Their father even kicked Benny out of the house for a period of time, until they saw, one evening in 1975, how God was working in Benny's life and how God had 'loosened' Benny's tongue, giving him the ability to preach.

Today, of the six boys in the family, four — Benny, Henry, Sam and William — are preachers, while one, Mike, works in marketing in Orlando, Florida, and Christopher, was a former White House Senior Advisor on Middle East Security for the Bush administration.

"God has called Benny and I to a similar ministry," Henry claims.

He frequently helps his brother at some of the international conferences, but has also been dedicated to his own ministry, Henry Hinn Ministries, which he founded in 1978.

"I believe in the healing power of God, and I believe that God's [supernatural] power is the answer for those who are hurting... The church needs to let the Holy Spirit have His way."

While there is definitely power in the 'power of God', Henry does believe that it is more than demonstrations of God's power that change people.

"We need to have the Word of God and the presence of God — that is what changes hearts. Power draws man, but it is the presence of God and the Word of God that changes. God has to change your life."

He sees dangers in the 'celebrity' of church ministry, particularly where churches focus on a man or celebrating success, rather than keeping their eyes on God.

"God can use you whether you are His friend or not," Henry warns. "I want to be like Abraham — Abraham was not just used, he was God's friend."

Pastor Hinn is very excited about the meetings, which began on Wednesday evening, and is looking forward to seeing change come to the people of Bermuda.

"God loves this Island, but I don't know if the people of this Island love God," he reflects. "Only the Holy Spirit can create a hunger and a thirst to cause people to want God's visit."

He passionately believes that while Bermuda has long allowed God to 'visit' them, they have not wanted God to 'stay.'

As a result, Bermuda has long been spared much of the ruin — both economically, socially and meteorically — that have faced other nations in the past, but God's hand of blessing and protection could eventually be removed.

"When He's not welcome to stay, He'll stop visiting." The process begins on the inside and works its way out.

"Benny's private life affected us as a family — it's what won us as a family. What you do privately will show up publicly... We all have to have our own relationship with God.

"When you focus on God's power, you say, 'Give me more of you,' but when you focus on God's person, you begin to say, 'Take more of me'.

Pastor Hinn says the best place to start, and finish, is on your knees. "One day, every one must bow. I say, it's a privilege to bow."

Pastor Hinn will be preaching this evening at the Naval field, across from Arnold's, at 7 p.m., and again tomorrow at 7.30 p.m.

He will also be sharing in the morning service at Beulah Tabernacle at 11:15 a.m.

For more information on Henry Hinn and his ministries, visit his website at www.henryhinn.org.