Open Heavens Conference News 2026

Ben Fitzgerald is a passionate lover of Jesus and the senior leader of Awakening Europe, a movement that champions the Gospel across Europe through stadium events, city-wide outreaches, and training schools. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Ben met Jesus in an encounter that deeply changed him in 2002 whilst he was dealing drugs. Since then Ben has lived passionately about one thing – showing the world Jesus in his everyday life and taking the good news of the Kingdom to the nations.

In 2009, Ben moved to Redding, California to attend Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). After graduating, he then served on staff as a Pastor at Bethel Church for several years. He currently lives in Germany leading the Awakening Team and spends much of his time traveling extensively – both in Europe and across the world.

Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” In line with that mission, Ben loves to equip people to live in God’s fullness of freedom and identity.  He has a deep conviction that the future of nations will be transformed by radical believers living free and proclaiming Jesus boldly.

Aaron W. Smith has been on the pastoral staff team at the UPPERROOM in Dallas, TX for nine years. He is a husband, father and teacher! He currently oversees the Second year of the UPPERROOM School of Ministry and is a regular voice in the UPPERROOM world of services, prayer sets and events! Aaron is also the founder and host of "The Handlebar Podcast'' along with his wife Sarahbeth. Aaron regularly ministers to the global church body, traveling with his family all over the world to speak to young people about the beauty and bigness of Jesus. He and his wife have led teams to countries such as Iraq, Croatia, Estonia, Bosnia, Ireland, Australia and Mexico to teach about the power and simplicity of prayer and worship!

Bill Johnson is the Senior Leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California.

Bill is a fifth-generation pastor with a rich heritage in the Holy Spirit. The present move of God has brought Bill into a deeper understanding of the phrase “on earth as it is in heaven.” Bill and the Bethel Church family have taken on this theme for life and ministry, where healing and miracles are normal. Bill teaches that we owe the world an encounter with God and a gospel without power is not the gospel Jesus preached. Bill is co-founder of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM).

Bill serves a growing number of churches partnered for revival. This apostolic network has crossed denominational lines in building relationships that enable church leaders to walk in both purity and power. Bill and his late wife, Beni, have three children and eleven grandchildren. Their three children and spouses are all involved in full-time ministry.

Hayley Braun is the Overseer of the BSSM Third Year program in Redding, California.

Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Hayley moved to Redding to attend BSSM in 2008, where she met her husband, Ryan.

Growing up in the church, Hayley started serving in many different spheres of the church at a young age and finding her passion – serving the Bride of Christ. She has a deep desire to see the people of God walk in true freedom, living a life liberated by the gospel and in connection with one another. Hayley and her family burn for revival and long to see the nations encounter God in a real and transformational way. Prior to being asked to pioneer the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry Online, Hayley spent 10 years leading in Bethel’s Second Year School of Supernatural Ministry.

Hayley and Ryan have three children – Aiden, Liberty, and Ash and love to spend quality time at home or traveling together as a family and with their community.