Truth
April 20, 2001
The Exorcist
by Maryvonne Gray
Pastor Mike Connell is said to be one of the world's leading ministers of
deliverance and healing, and regularly travels the globe to practise.
He has just got back from
He says: "No one has a lot of experience with it there so it's not
uncommon for people to react extremely to me.
"Sometimes people fall on the ground, yell out in the meeting, or try and
jump out of windows."
He's had several people say they want to kill him. "With some it's like
you're looking at a snake and they slither down the room knocking chairs over.
"Others crawl on the ground like a lizard or try to crawl up the wall. I
have seen unusual strength--someone picking up a chair and pulling it apart
with their bare hands or crushing an apple."
The most violent confrontations tend to be when people have dabbled in the
occult.
He says the possessed people seem to go into another state of mind. "It's
like they've gone into the background but something else is reacting.
"When the evil spirit manifests you know you're dealing with it just from
the cold, pure hatred in their eyes."
This is usually when the death threats occur. And although they might be in
foreign lands such as
The recent death of an Auckland Korean woman during an exorcism was due to lack
of experience, Connell says.
Some possessions are manifested as sickness. "In
"After we prayed for him, he walked--albeit with assistance at first. But
over the two days he improved significantly."
The most moving cases involve children, says Connell.
"There was a
"After checking, it turned out one of his parents had a significant
involvement in drugs and other things.
"I waited for the child to fall asleep then took the parents with me and
explained things before praying for the little boy.
Totally Changed
"He sighed and yawned even though he was still asleep, but when he woke up
the result was immediate. The next day he was totally changed. That's when it
is quite moving, when little children are delivered."
Despite the popularity in
The father of seven believes he has no particularly "special"
qualities. But his healing reputation has spread far and wide overseas and at
home through word of mouth.
Not everyone could do the job, he says. And it is very hard work.
"It's involved and demanding in every kind of way, emotionally and
physically draining. So I make it clear I need to be properly rested."
For this, Connell goes on Pastor's Days, run by fellow pentecostal pastor Brent Douglas. These are aimed at
protecting the pastors from emotional and spiritual damage.
Connell was introduced to these evil forces 25 years ago during his religious
training.
"I encountered some young people involved in the occult who were quite
troubled. We also had a house that had weird things going on in it, like
footsteps at night and doors banging."
Over the past 10 years he has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people, he
says.
"People here are sending their kids because they're suicidal or have
behavioural problems at home, some because of abuse. Or when
people have had a relationship upheaval. Or occult practices where they
make direct contact with evil spirits."
He says: "It can be quite scary really."
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Captions:
Charismatic Faith Healer: Mike
Connell says the most moving cases of possession involve children.
Deliverance: Mike found his calling
after helping youths involved with the occult.