'Supernatural' healer Apostle Guillermo Maldonado visits Bay

Dot Ward (second left) dances across the stage after an encounter with healer Apostle Guillermo Maldonado. Photo/ Duncan Brown

Thousands of Hawke's Bay Christians have flocked to see to man who claims to have healed people across the globe through "God's supernatural power".

On Monday and Tuesday, Miami-based "Apostle" Guillermo Maldonado and his 36 crew members turned the Pettigrew Green Arena into a place of supernatural encounters.

Organisers said a man who was unable to hear was able to hear again, a man who could previously not bend over due to a back problem could bend again and a person who suffered multiple sclerosis for 12 years was cleared of their symptoms.

Event administrator Bob Hamilton said it was amazing but some healings still needed a doctor to confirm what they saw.

"We have to be careful about what we are saying but I have no doubt that it was the supernatural power of God."

Mr Maldonado was invited for his first trip to Hawke's Bay by Bay City Church senior pastor Mike Connell.

He has travelled the world with "supernatural" encounters and uplifted audiences. He oversees 300 churches and has visited churches in more than 50 countries.

Mr Hamilton said he was doing what God called him to do, which was preach the word.

In some of his shows overseas, Mr Hamilton said, Mr Maldonado had raised the dead.

"It is very cool to be able to have him here and a really good meeting that has touched many."

Mr Hamilton said this was a huge event not just for Hawke's Bay but for the country and was live-streamed to audiences around the world.

"Any Christian gathering of thousands of people stirs interest and it should show the way for other churches by having the supernatural power of God demonstrated. It is a point of difference and hopefully brings change to New Zealand."

Mr Maldonado has tipped that he will be back in the Bay. That could be as soon as next year, however that has not yet been confirmed.