Paul Cain

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Paul Cain meeting Saddam Hussein

Paul Cain (1929-) is a former Christian minister in the Charismatic movement.

Beginning in 1987 he was associated with the Kansas City Prophets. Paul Cains meetings were often punctuated by his calling out several people from the audience and giving very detailed information about their lives. On many occasions these prophetic words were marked by dramatic supernatural healings from God.

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 Healing Revival of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Cain's ministry at this time consisted of a very large tent, like most other ministers' of the time (such as Billy Graham, Oral Roberts and Jack Coe). Chuck Smith founder of Calvary Chapel was Cain's campaign manager and was influenced by his unique prophetic and healing ministry. Cain's giftings 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 '50's, he claimed that he was "challenged by the Lord" concerning such excesses of various leaders in that movement, and suddenly disappeared from public view.

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 was sent to Iraq to meet with Saddam Hussein.) - both political leaders (including presidents and senators) and spiritual leaders including key church and denominational leaders.

In October 2004 Cain's ministry came to a halt when ministry associate Rick Joyner published a special bulletin stating that Cain was an alcoholic and "had been recently involved in homosexual activity." Following that, in March of 2005, Cain issued a public apology on his website stating: "I must apologize to the body of Christ for my recent conduct...I have struggled in two particular areas, homosexuality and alcoholism, for an extended period of time...if I have hurt anyone by my actions of emotional or sexual misconduct, I am very sorry."

Cain, who recently celebrated his 77th birthday, has submitted to a restoration process under the covering of the board of RTV International Ministries in Pasadena and is currently undergoing treatment for both alcholholism and a recent diagnosis of a rare form of cancer.

In January 2007 RTV submitted the following letter pertaining to Mr. Cain's restoration process

The Authorized Restoration Correspondance of Paul Cain

In the last year, Paul Cain has submitted himself to a restoration process in California. Under supervision he is being integrated back into ministry. Some wonder about his restoration and are concerned about his involvement in ministry; some wonder if there should even be any restoration to ministry. Others are praying for his continued healing and rejoicing at God’s grace to restore a man to serve Jesus even after he has made wrong choices. It is time to review the process through which Paul has passed and the safeguards now in place to enable him to fulfil the calling God gave him years ago.

Paul submitted himself to the board and restoration team of RTV (Reclaiming the Valley) Ministries, an organization based in Pasadena, California. RTV Ministries covers 250 ministries and churches, worldwide. Paul is licensed for ministry under this organization. Therefore, it is proper that the leadership and peers of this ministry supervise his compliance with our high moral standards of integrity and ministry service just as any church group would do with its ministers. We have been recognized by the IRS and many other church-based organizations since 1994. Paul has submitted himself to the licensing charter and bylaws of this organization. As a part of our commitment to hold our ministers to the highest standards, Paul submitted to an extensive process that included input from therapists licensed through the State of California, who have affiliation with RTV Ministries, and who serve solely in that capacity.

While Paul’s restoration has progressed to the point that he has been encouraged to return to limited ministry, Paul is not free of accountability. He resides under the high moral standards under the RTV provisions for license. He is accountable to the committee, a mentor, and a caregiver. Further, he is released to travel in ministry only in the full-time care of a travelling male companion who is married, is more than 40 years old, is a licensed RTV minister or a part of the restoration team, and is responsible to update the team to Paul’s progress and needs on a regular basis.

Questions continue to arise as to why Paul did not submit himself to Larry Alberts and his team for restoration. Many of today’s objections seem to go back to those who were close to this first team. Though the Alberts’ team had many qualifications, the RTV team felt they were unwavering in areas where Paul needed flexibility. Paul himself has indicated that if they had been willing to work with him in these areas, he would gladly have submitted to their process.

Here were some of the issues that made it difficult for Paul to continue work with this first team. Paul’s health insurance did not cover him where Larry’s team wanted him to reside. Paul was suffering from heart problems. He needed surgery and treatment for eye and adrenal cancer. Paul’s two nieces are unable to care for themselves. They are beyond the age of 40 but both have physical and psychological problems that need constant supervision. Under the terms of the previous team, Paul would have been required to abandon them. One of these nieces has colen cancer. Since she has no insurance, we are still dealing with these needs.

Individuals representing themselves as a part of the previous restoration team have continually called and challenged the on-going process being used for Paul. From the beginning we have welcomed input from the previous team when it was expressed as concern for his progress. Unfortunately, there are those from unknown sources who continue to try to find ways to accuse and threaten Paul and those working to help him. We are committed to protect this man of God, his right to privacy, and his continued restoration to supervised ministry.

Paul has publicly repented concerning his failing. He is not trying to fault others but has come face to face with the issues. He has been in a progressive program and is at the point that he needs to be released under supervised conditions to minister. He is 77 years old and has known only ministry as a source of income. During the restoration process, he has drained most of his assets and needs to be able to work. Though he has been able to pay for much of his care, individuals on the team have paid a large portion of the tab. While Paul Cain Ministries had some money in the bank account, Paul does not. He does not personally own the property in Kansas City.

We are still very committed to Paul in his journey back to ministry, and this includes protecting him from harassment from those who feel it is their job to punish him and block his attempts at gradually returning to his calling. Some have made repeated attempts to violate his right to confidentiality in regards to his work with counsellors and medical procedures. These rights are protected by law and will be defended. Those who would seek to block legitimate efforts for supervised self-employment need to realize that Paul is protected by law as well as by RTV Ministries to proceed with its agreed-upon process of restoration. Many leaders throughout California are updated regularly and give oversight in his restoration. It is our determination to protect the prophets and ministry leaders in this state.

Paul’s health is fragile. He still needs to have surgery for cancer on his adrenal gland and on his eyes. Paul is in need of prayer, love and support from the body of Christ. It is unfortunate that many resolve to shoot the wounded along the path of ministry in the body of Christ. In His work to restore Peter, Mary Magdalene, and others, Jesus demonstrated that we are to uplift others and restore His followers when they fall. Paul has spent the past 50 years of his life in ministry helping others and demonstrating the grace of Christ to others. It is time for the body of Christ to show him the love, the kindness, and the restorative grace that Christ demonstrated. Please continue to uphold Paul in your prayers.

On behalf of the Restoration Team RTV Ministries Cooke Center

David Andrade