Paul Cain (June 16, 1929 – February 12, 2019) was a Charismatic Christian minister[1] involved with both neo-charismatic churches and the Charismatic Movement, and is named one of the Kansas City Prophets.[2] Cain resided in California and ministered monthly at a local church in Santa Maria, California until his death.[3][4]
Life
editPaul Cain was born on June 16, 1929, in Garland, Texas. His mother Anna had been seriously ill with cancer, tuberculosis, and other difficulties, and was not expected to live.[5]
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.
Early ministry
editCain drew crowds of 30,000 in Switzerland and Germany with his meetings.[6] 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. 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.
Later ministry
editHe began to travel around the world, proclaiming the gospel and calling the church back to purity and holiness. He served as a consultant to Central Intelligence Agency—Paranormal Division, a consultant to the FBI and was a Presidential Consultant and Special Envoy for three presidents. He ministered to many national and international leaders. During the Clinton Administration, Cain went to Iraq to meet with Saddam Hussein. He also met with spiritual leaders, including key church and denominational leaders.[7]
Public apology
editIn April 2004, Rick Joyner, Jack Deere, and Mike Bickle, three ministers who had long-held, close ministerial relationships with Cain, met with Cain to confront him about a homosexual relationship and several incidents of public drunkenness. He denied these accusations which led to Joyner, Deere and Bickle releasing a statement in October stating that he was unwilling to participate in the restoration process. However, in February 2005, Cain stepped down from ministry and issued a letter of confession, posted on his website [8] and excerpted in Charisma Magazine[9] "I have struggled in two particular areas, homosexuality and alcoholism," Cain admitted, "for an extended period of time."
In response to this confession, David Andrade of Reclaiming The Valley International Ministries formed a restoration team. Some of those providing collaboration during the restoration and emergence process included: Steve Dittmar, John Sanford, Cal Pierce, Rick Taylor, Kari Browning, Jerry Bowers, David and Donna Diaz, Randy Demain, David Andrade & Olivia Cook TP.[10]
In April 2007, Paul Cain re-emerged into the public eye and resumed speaking at meetings throughout the U.S and abroad. His rehabilitation was questioned by Rick Joyner, Jack Deere, and Mike Bickle. They stated that they lacked confidence in his rehabilitation, did not consider him restored, and therefore his return to ministry was premature.[11] By September 2007 Andrade was able to claim that Cain was restored and able to minister again freely.[12]
References
edit- ^ Heilbut, Anthony (2012-06-19). The Fan Who Knew Too Much: Aretha Franklin, the Rise of the Soap Opera, Children of the Gospel Church, and Other Meditations. Random House Digital, Inc. pp. 46–. ISBN 9780307958471. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ Deere, Jack (2024-03-11). "From Support to Scrutiny: Jack Deere Reevaluates #IHOPKC Founder and Kansas City Prophets' Legacy". Divine Detours. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "US evangelist Paul Cain dies aged 89 - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis". premierchristian.news. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Major Pentecostal Leader, Prophet Paul Cain Dies at 89 - Charisma Magazine Online". 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Michael G. Maudlin, "Seers in the Heartland"". Christianity Today. January 1991. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Giberti, R Scott, Paul Cain--A Prophet in the Hall of Kings: Between Iraq and a Hard Place, First Stone. 2011. ISBN 978-0-98394-710-3.
- ^ "About Paul". paulcain.org. Archived from the original on 2012-12-30. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- ^ "Cain, Paul. "A Letter of Confession," Paul Cain Ministries Retrieved on 2005-02-25". Archived from the original on February 25, 2005. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ Grady, J. Lee (March 2005), "Prophetic Minister Paul Cain Issues Public Apology for Immoral Lifestyle," Charisma Magazine, Retrieved on 2008-01-28 Archived 2012-03-02 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ The Life Story Of The Prophet Paul Cain
- ^ Deere, Jack (January 2007) Archived 2009-10-23 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Paul Cain: Restoration Team Letter Archived 2012-02-26 at the Wayback Machine