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Evangelist with a miraculous knack of raising cash hits capital
Charles Young16.10.09
An American evangelist who promises instant healings and miracles while appealing for cash donations is to hold events in London this weekend.
David Herzog claims to witness miracles such as instant weight loss, the sudden appearance of gold teeth and the “healing” of baldness.
He also claims that people in wheelchairs have been able to walk again and that blind people have regained their sight at his events, which have taken place all over the world.
According to Mr Herzog, who with his wife Stephanie runs the David Herzog Ministries in Arizona, the London events will be “full of surprises from God, including healings and miracles”.
In the past month the events have been advertised on billboards in run-down areas of the capital. On one, a tearful mother holds a microphone on stage while standing next to her daughter. The caption reads: “My daughter was blind now she can see!”
Such testimonies are a regular feature of Herzog's events — many of which are filmed for his television series The Glory Zone, which is broadcast on the God Channel in Britain.
Entry to the events are free but not included in the TV shows is Mr Herzog's appeals for donations. According to bloggers in America who have attended his events, Mr Herzog claims that the more people give, the more healings and miracles they will receive.
One blogger writes: “[Herzog said] the more we gave the more God would pour out his glory and perform miracles. He put two big baskets at the altar to put money into, so you would have to walk to the front where everyone would see who gave and who didn't.”
In one event alone Mr Herzog raised $55,000 which he said would go towards a $1.4million (£856,000) ministry centre in Arizona.
In Singapore last year a man claimed he had just found a gold tooth in his mouth and Mr Herzog asked him to show it to the other worshippers. Later, a woman said she has just lost weight. Mr Herzog asked her to hold out her newly loosened waistband to demonstrate the weight loss.
This was followed by a woman who claimed she arrived in a wheelchair, unable to walk. She claims she has been healed and can now walk unaided.
He responds to the miracles by saying: “These people aren't lying — they're not paid actors, they're unpaid actors. No, I'm kidding — that's a miracle.”
Mr Herzog also claims his events are visited by angels.
The first event is this evening at the Emmanuel Centre in Marsham Street, a short distance from Westminster Abbey.
Mr Herzog could not be reached for comment last night.
Reader views (8)
What part of Nigeria is this artist from?
- Nowan King, London
What's the expression? "A fool and his money are soon parted" isn't it?
- Bob, Cheam
Let's hope Westminster Council post a couple of trading standards officers in the audience. Obtaining money by deception is a criminal offence and is particularly evil when done under the guise of a charity.
- Anna, London
"Mr Herzog could not be reached for comment last night."
He was probably away with the angels - or was it the fairies?
- Jock, London
Why on earth was this nutter allowed into the UK, we have enough problems caused by religion as it is.
A con artist plain and simple, I also hope the police will be monitering what he preaches.
- P Staker, London.
I think he will find that raising money in the UK is a little harder than it is in the US. We have Darren Brown who produces 'miracles' without the help of God, who seems to be otherwise engaged.
- Alex C, London
Can he cure us of this Labour party?!
Anyone taken in by this con-artist, deserves to be.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
"If it were possible even the very elect would be deceived"
Somehow I don't beleive God requires money!
- Steve, London
