Heaven Bent

Explore the fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous world of Pentecostal & Charismatic Christianity, with host and creator Tara Jean Stevens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

S1 TRAILER: The Toronto Blessing

May 14, 2020 • 1 min

Tara Jean Stevens was a teenager when a bizarre spiritual movement spread from Toronto to her childhood church in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Why did worshipers shake and fall to the ground? Did anyone truly get healed? And did gold teeth miraculously appear in people’s mouths…or not? Join Tara Jean on her curious journey to find out.

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S1E1: The Revival

June 1, 2020 • 36 mins

In 1994, a small church next to Toronto Pearson International Airport suddenly became one of the city’s “Top Tourist Attractions”. Why did millions of Christians flock from around the world? Was something truly supernatural happening? 25 years later, join Tara Jean Stevens as she revisits the unusual spiritual movement she was a part of as a teenager.

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S1E2: The Gifts of the Spirit

June 8, 2020 • 46 mins

They say she heals the deaf and blind. They even say “Mama Heidi” has raised the dead. On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens explores the divine healing ministry of Mozambique missionary and Toronto Blessing follower: Heidi Baker. Plus, what does science teach us about “speaking in tongues”? And, birthdates, the names of your children, the description of your childhood home – where does Prophet Shawn Bolz get his ‘words...

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S1E3: The Carpet Time

June 15, 2020 • 36 mins

Even the children fell to the floor, shaking and speaking in tongues. On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens explores the strange phenomenon known as “carpet time”. Was something supernatural at play? If not, what else could be going on? And, tracing the fascinating historical roots of the “Toronto Blessing,” we learn about the “Jesus Freaks” of the 1960s and 70s.

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S1E4: The River

June 22, 2020 • 36 mins

In 1995, a pastor’s wife from Florida attended ‘Toronto Blessing’ services in Toronto, Canada. Just days after her return, the strange phenomena happening there started happening in her church back home in Brownsville. Was her trip a successful crowd-control reconnaissance mission? On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens tracks the spread of this controversial spiritual movement – where it spread, and why. Also, what’s th...

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S1E5: The Gold Teeth

June 29, 2020 • 48 mins

In March of 1999, more than 300 Christians claimed that gold teeth or fillings had miraculously appeared in their mouths. Can any of these “dental miracles” be verified? On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens returns to her childhood church in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to find out. Also, on this final episode of the season, Tara Jean, herself a former follower, comes to some personal conclusions on the ‘Toronto Bl...

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S1B1: The Most Evil Person Ever

October 5, 2020 • 25 mins

Fire tunnels, gold dust, and a mysterious silver fleck. On this season 1 bonus episode: Tara Jean Stevens’ candid conversation with Bruce Vanden Berg. Like Tara Jean, he was once involved with the Toronto Blessing movement. Today, he has fond memories of his time with the church, but there also came a day when he knew he had to leave.

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Season 2: Inside America’s Most Unusual Church

February 12, 2021 • 1 min

Supernatural healings. Gold dust falling from the ceiling. Resurrections. Bethel Church, in Redding, California, is one of the largest and most unusual churches in America. What goes on inside its bewildering School of Supernatural Ministry? Is Bethel as powerful as its critics believe it to be? And, during the COVID-19 pandemic, why are its most high-profile leaders defying public health orders? In season 2 of Heaven Bent, join Ta...

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S1B2: The Modern Prophetic Tour

February 19, 2021 • 21 mins

You’ve never met. So, how does he know your phone number? Your children’s names? And what you do for work? On this final season 1 bonus episode, join Tara Jean Stevens as she takes a deeper look into the ministry of Shawn Bolz – a “pioneer” in the Apostolic Prophetic Movement.

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S2E1: The Freedom To Worship

March 1, 2021 • 20 mins

In defiance of COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings and public singing, a Billboard charting worship leader from Redding, California launches a national, outdoor worship tour. Thousands of people show up at nearly every stop, and there’s barely ever a mask in sight. Is Sean Feucht a superspreader? Join Tara Jean Stevens, as she begins her exploration into Bethel Church, one of the largest and most unusual churches in America.

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S2E2: The City of Redding

March 8, 2021 • 29 mins

How much influence and impact does Bethel Church have in Redding? Turns out… a lot. And many locals are not happy about it. Is a cult really trying to take over this Northern California town?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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S2E3: The Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

March 15, 2021 • 29 mins

What happens at Bethel’s bewildering School of Supernatural Ministry? And how do they plan to keep students safe as they return to class during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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S2E4: The Power To Heal

March 22, 2021 • 23 mins

At Bethel Church, they believe in the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. What could possibly go wrong?

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S2E5: The Outbreak

March 29, 2021 • 32 mins

A COVID-19 outbreak at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry makes national headlines. And, Sean Feucht’s “Let Us Worship” tour hits Washington, DC. Is he right? Could this be a “tipping point for revival in America”? And how about his critics? Will this be the superspreader event they’re dreading?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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S2E6: The Once Gays

April 5, 2021 • 32 mins

Can God cure someone of their homosexual desires? Tara Jean Stevens explores “conversion therapy” and the “ex-gay” movement, within Bethel Church.

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S2E7: The Devil Himself

April 12, 2021 • 24 mins

The eye-opening evolution of the image of Satan in the Evangelical Church. Plus, what does the Devil have to do with the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. If you ask the leaders of Bethel Church, in Redding, California. The answer is a whole Hell of a lot.

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S2E8: The Heart Of Bethel

April 19, 2021 • 51 mins

In the final episode this season, what’s truly at the heart of Bethel Church, in Redding, California? And, is it a cult?

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S3 TRAILER: Emmanuel Church of Christ

August 29, 2022 • 41 secs

It’s 1987. Nashville, Tennessee. Emmanuel Church of Christ Oneness Pentecostal is up in flames and a mutilated body is found inside. Who did it? Why is the congregation’s beloved pastor missing? And could a Satanic cult be responsible, or was it something else equally sinister?

In season three, host and creator Tara Jean Stevens reveals the shocking details surrounding this mysterious and thought-provoking murder. Along the way, she...

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S3E1: The Emmanuel Church of Christ

September 12, 2022 • 36 mins

It's the morning of June 16th, 1987, in Nashville, Tennessee. Shortly after midnight, firefighters are called to a blaze at Emmanuel Church of Christ. What they find in the ashes would change this small Pentecostal congregation forever. Thirty-five years later, Tara Jean Stevens begins to unravel this shocking crime.

On the journey with her is Sharon Edwards. She was just a kid when the fire tore apart her church family. Today, she...

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S3E2: The Bishop-Overseer

September 19, 2022 • 43 mins

Sharon learns about the early days of Emmanuel Church of Christ and its intriguing legacy of female leadership. Can this in-depth look at the church's history help us better understand what led to the tragic events of 1987?

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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