Paul Cain

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Paul Cain (born 1929) is a Pentecostal Christian minister involved with both neo-charismatic churches and the Charismatic Movement. As a young man he was one of the Voice of Healing revivalists of the 50s. He spent many years out of the public view. Beginning in 1987 he was associated with the Kansas City Prophets, and shortly afterwards with the ministry of John Wimber. Cain currently resides in California.

Contents 1 History 2 Resurfaced 3 Scandal 4 Lakeland comments 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

Paul Cain was born in 1929 in Garland, Texas. His mother Anna had been seriously ill with cancer, tuberculosis, and other difficulties, and was not expected to live. Her case was so severe that she was the subject of special medical attention. To the astonishment of doctors both Cain and his mother survived the birth; his mother was subsequently healed. Cain attributes this to an angelic visitation his mother had at that time, and to the fervent prayers of his family. It was during this visitation that Cain was given the name "Paul" and his mother became sure of his calling to preach. Paul Cain began to minister publicly around age 18, making him the youngest of the ministers in a religious movement that is now known as the Voice of Healing Revival of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Cain's ministry at this time used a very large tent, like most other ministers' of the time (such as Billy Graham, Oral Roberts and Jack Coe). His meetings were often punctuated by calling out several people from the audience and giving very detailed information about their lives. Chuck Smith founder of Calvary Chapel was Cain's campaign manager and was influenced by his unique prophetic and healing ministry. At one point during this period, while Cain was engaged to be married, he claims that he had an encounter with the Lord. Cain told the Lord "if you don't want me to get married I am willing to give up the idea but you will have to do something about my feelings." Reportedly, the Lord placed his hand upon Cain, who said it felt like fire passing through his body, and this removed all sexual desire from him. Biographer David Pytches states "That was Paul's initiation into celibacy."^[1] Cain's abilities took him around the world and brought him a measure of notoriety and financial success. Cain, however, eventually became disgusted with what he saw as the corruption of a once-pure movement into a circus of hype and greed. In the late 1950s, he claimed that he was "challenged by the Lord" concerning such excesses of various leaders in that movement, and suddenly disappeared from public view.

[edit] Resurfaced

By the time Cain resurfaced the landscape had dramatically changed. Most of the other healing revivalists had disappeared from the scene. Some older ministers such as William Branham (who Paul Cain referred to as the "greatest prophet who ever lived in this century") and A.A. Allen had died or had moved into retirement like Oral Roberts. He began to travel around the world, proclaiming the gospel and calling the church back to purity and holiness. He ministered to many national and international leaders (During the Clinton administration Paul Cain went to Iraq to meet with Saddam Hussein) - both political leaders (including presidents and senators) and spiritual leaders including key church and denominational leaders.

[edit] Scandal

In 2005, Cain stepped down from ministry. In "A Letter of Confession" posted on his website^[2] and excerpted in Charisma Magazine,^[3] Cain admitted, "I have struggled in two particular areas, homosexuality and alcoholism, for an extended period of time," both considered serious sin by Christian Scripture as interpreted by the vast majority of Christian communions and denominations.^[4] In April 2007, he re-emerged into the public eye and resumed speaking at meetings throughout the U.S and abroad, though his rehabilitation was questioned by the three ministers (Rick Joyner, Jack Deere, and Mike Bickle) who had long-held, close ministerial relationships with Cain and had publicly disciplined him three years earlier, stating that they lacked confidence in his rehabilitation and do not consider him restored.^[5] The initial rehabilitation team made an open declaration in October 2004:

"We do not believe that Paul has committed anything that places him beyond the grace of God. We are hopeful that there are those who are more spiritual and wiser than we are who can help Paul through a process of restoration in which we failed. We remain desirous of helping in this in any way that we can. If restored, we believe that Paul can once again have an extraordinary ministry and be a significant blessing to the body of Christ."^[6]

After the initial restoration team admitted that they had "failed," they expressed the hope that another team would be able to help Paul Cain through a restoration process.^[7] In the wake of this, David Andrade of RTV International ministries formed a new team. This began in 2005; by September 2007 Andrade was able to claim:

"After careful evaluation and in consideration pertaining to his continual progress in all areas of spiritual and personal life; the administrating staff and Board of Life Recovery Centers of America with the Board of RTV International Ministries and the restoration team, unanimously affirm that there is no further need to continue the restoration process; And furthermore, release Paul W. Cain from restrictive oversight and restricted ministry. Paul William Cain is hereby free to pursue ministry and released to make personal decisions."^[8]

Some of those providing collaboration during the restoration and emergence process include, Steve Dittmar, John Sanford, Cal Pierce, Rick Taylor, Kari Browning, Jerry Bowers, David and Donna Diaz, Randy Demain, David Andrade & Olivia Cook TP.^[9]

[edit] Lakeland comments

In May 2008, Cain spoke at a Lakeland, Florida "revival" meeting hosted by Todd Bentley. He said that the meeting, which was held in a stadium, fulfilled a vision he had years before. Cain also declared "I've been a celibate all my life."^[10] This caused controversy, because many interpreted it as a contradiction with his previously admitted struggles with homosexuality. However, it is apparent that he his claim to celibacy was referring to his choice to remain unmarried as he next uttered "I wanted to get married."

Cain said, according to Charisma Magazine, that “allegations” and rumors circulating about him were not true; this was interpreted by some to refer to his previous confession. Comments on his website later clarified his position: he was referring to rumors that he had not fully repented and had not finished the process of restoration.^[11]

Charisma reported:

"Three prominent Spirit-filled leaders—Mike Bickle, Rick Joyner and Jack Deere—urged Cain to submit to a specific process of restoration and healing after his dramatic public confession in 2005. But Cain eventually refused their recommendations and was deemed “fully restored” by a somewhat unknown ministry in California. Because the three men were not familiar with the process Cain underwent, Bickle, Joyner and Deere released a statement last year saying: “We cannot say with confidence that this is a genuine restoration.”^[12]

It is to this statement that Cain was most likely referring. David Andrade, however, one of the key leaders of his current restoration team, claimed that Cain was referring to his "chaste life" after the restoration process. Andrade stated in May, 2008:

"Paul has already publicly confessed his short comings as published in Charisma Magazine and all of us standing with Paul affirm his declaration in Florida that he is living a chaste life.”^[13]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Paul Cain