Heaven Bent

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.

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.

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 of wisdom’ from? He says it’s the Holy Spirit. His critics say… it’s the internet.*Subscribe to Heaven Bent+: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-bent/id1513489117?itsct=heavenbent_podcasts&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=1001l3byi&ct=test-123

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.

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 the “new wine”? And what does it feel like to get “drunk in the spirit?”.

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 Blessing’ movement.

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.

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 Tara Jean Stevens as she continues to track the “Toronto Blessing” – a bizarre spiritual movement that spread to her childhood church, and around the world.

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.*Subscribe to Heaven Bent+: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-bent/id1513489117?itsct=heavenbent_podcasts&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=1001l3byi&ct=test-123