The first of three services was to start at 7.30 p.m. on Friday, but queues had begun to form as early as 1 p.m. By 6 p.m., they had grown thick and long with many hundreds amassed at each entrance, waiting patiently for the doors to open. These consisted of CHC members, their family and friends, as well as thousands of Indonesians, Malaysians, Koreans and others who traveled to Singapore from all around the region just for the event.

Despite limited external publicity, these overseas visitors had heard about CHC's healing crusade with Rev. Benny, and flooded the church with requests for seats; they were truly hungry for an encounter with God and would spare no effort or expense!

As the opening hour drew near, a number of ambulances were seen pulling up alongside the stadium. Patients were wheeled out on stretchers and, together with the wheelchair-bound, they were directed into the auditorium via a priority entrance.

The doors opened, and the hall soon began to fill up. The back of the floor area was cleared of regular seating to make way for the physically impaired who came in wheelchairs and stretchers. Some were aged and infirmed, while others were disease-stricken. A few had feeding tubes inserted into their noses, while a number were in obvious pain.

Occupying the entire section behind the stage was the 1,000-strong CHC choir, smartly clad in blue and white. Most of them were volunteers without substantial singing experience or training, but had undergone a week of intense practice.

The service began with the CHC music team leading the congregation in a time of energetic praise. Rev. Benny's own team of musicians then took over, and the praise and worship continued with a unique blend of contemporary worship songs, majestic hymns and even a lively Jewish number. Making an unexpected appearance was famed Christian artiste Ron Kenoly, who led his lively brand of gospel tunes with much heart and panache.

After a time of joyous praise and deep worship, Rev. Benny appeared on stage, aglow in his trademark white suit. He continued to lead the people in reverential worship; time seemed to stand still as the entire stadium reverberated with the sound of worship, and the ticking of the clock didn't matter. It was then that the presence of God fell, thick and tangible.

When the time came for the sharing of the Word, everyone was saturated in God's presence. Rev. Benny greeted the crowd warmly, did a short introduction on himself and the various facets of his ministry, and testified of their latest exploits for God. A short video clip, shown in each service, gave everyone a vivid picture of his ministry's exceptional size and reach.

The statistics were mind-boggling: 7.3 million people attended his healing crusade in Bangalore, India, in January 2005, while his Philippines crusade in February drew 2.5 million. Many were saved and healed in these meetings, and their testimonies were demonstrated on the videos.

Next came a time of preaching; Rev. Benny showed from the Scriptures how God demands holiness, and that the gulf between sinful man and holy God was bridged when He sent Jesus to be the perfect and final Sacrifice. Though we did not have a choice in being born into the here and now, we can choose where we will spend our life hereafter.

An altar call was given, and hundreds of hands shot up to receive salvation.

HEALING RAIN

A time of worship ensued, during which the focus shifted to healing. Many had come because they needed a healing touch from God, so there was a sense of expectancy for God to move. To build faith in the hearts of the people, Rev. Benny expounded on the topic of healing. He taught that healing is a gift just like salvation, and therefore as easily received.

Jesus came not only to save us but to heal us from our pain and sicknesses, he continued. And just like how the blood of the passover lamb kept the children of Israel strong and healthy, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, brings us protection, health and healing.

As the Word of God went forth, faith arose in the hearts of the congregation, and Rev. Benny challenged the sick to reach out for their healing. A time of unhurried yet intense worship began, and as heartfelt worship was mixed with earnest prayer, it soon became evident that God's healing power had begun to move powerfully.

Those who had certain disabilities or infirmities were asked to stand up, stretch out and do what they could not do before. As the main congregation continued to worship with hands uplifted, small pockets of joyous commotion began to break out in the hall—God's healing had begun.

Rev. Benny then asked those with specific sicknesses—from arthritis to diabetes, blindness to asthma—to claim their healing as God gave him words of knowledge.

Many who had come stricken and in pain were now healed and jubilant. Rev. Benny's helpers and CHC workers went about to ascertain the healings and those truly healed were brought forward to testify of how God had healed them. Long lines quickly formed on both sides of the stage and Rev. Benny gave each one the opportunity to share and demonstrate their healing.

The healings over the three days were many, diverse, and dramatic:

The testimonies went on and on and the congregation applauded in awe and delight, giving God all the glory. Before anyone knew it, three hours had gone by; three wonderful hours of experiencing the presence and mighty move of God.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

The second service on Saturday afternoon was special because it was included to meet the overwhelming response of the first night's meeting. Originally, only two services were planned for the crusade, but when organizer Kong Hee of City Harvest Church saw the many who had to be turned away from the stadium on Friday evening, he immediately arranged a Saturday afternoon service.

This meeting was as packed as the first and just as spectacular, if not more. Many more received God's healing touch, including an old man who was carried into the stadium, but got up and walked on the stage, to the bewilderment of his non-Christian ambulance attendants!

Rev. Benny continued to preach on the presence of God and laid hands on all the pastors in attendance for an impartation of the healing anointing. The weight of God's glory fell on the auditorium and everyone was indelibly touched by God and deeply ministered by His presence.

For the final service on Saturday night, Rev. Benny shared on how fragile and impermanent life is—life is futile without Jesus. An altar call was given, many responded, and then the sick were once again prayed for. Many hands reached out to Jesus with the touch of faith, and more were miraculously healed, including a woman born deaf in her left ear, a six-year-old girl with diabetes, and a woman suffering from osteoporosis.

The healing experienced by the sick and the very real presence of God in each meeting of the healing crusade with Rev. Benny left an indelible mark on everyone.

It proved without a doubt that God is indeed "Jehovah Rapha," our Healer, yesterday, today and forever. HT