LAKELAND, FL -- Earlier this year, tens of thousands of people came from around the world to watch Todd Bentley minister at a Lakeland revival. But today, those who drove for many miles to be uplifted by the evangelist are questioning the legitimacy of his faith-healing revival.
Bentley didn't look like your typical preacher. His bad boy image was evident from a body covered in tattoos and earrings, and he claimed religion saved his life. He said he'd spend hours praying and meditating in preparation for nightly services he lead in Lakeland from April to August.
Then, his revivals abruptly came to an end, with many rumors swirling.
This last week, a letter was released by Fresh Fire Ministries, the British Columbia-based organization Bentley ran. (Found at www.freshfire.ca/) The letter talks about Bentley's marriage ending and a budding relationship with a former intern-turned-staff member, who also served as a live-in nanny to his three children in Canada.
It also detailed Bentley's shortcomings in an attempt to answer lingering questions about what led to the preacher's downfall.
Bentley, 32, lead the Florida Outpouring revival for more than 100 days and centered on prophesy and faith healings.
When Bentley left, Fresh Fire leaders said the preacher had planned to take his ministry on the road for some time. The ministry, which also announced that Bentley and his wife, Shonnah, were separating, maintained that sexual immorality did not factor into that decision.
But the board's most recent letter described a different scenario: "Todd Bentley has demonstrated himself unfaithful to his wife by entering into a relationship with another woman while still legally married. He has consumed more alcohol on a few occasions than is prudent or becoming (of) a Christian leader. His sins have been sins of the flesh, and we do not defend them."
Meanwhile, the Lakeland Ledger reports that Rev. Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church, where the Lakeland Outpouring revival began, said he talked to Bentley by phone Monday.
Strader said Bentley called from California, where he has been staying since leaving the revival and defended himself against a couple of allegations contained in the letter.
Although he did not deny the relationship, Bentley told Strader he did not have a problem with alcohol as described by the board’s letter.
He said Bentley admitted he had gotten drunk in the weeks he was in Lakeland, but the incidents were isolated and he has resolved not to drink again.
“He was apologetic for the harm he caused to us and the body of Christ. But he told me, ‘I’m not an alcoholic,’” Strader said.
The evangelist plans to move to Fort Mill, S.C., for counseling early next year.
The Lakeland Outpouring drew criticism from many in the evangelical communities for its claims of hundreds of miraculous healings and even claims that people were raised from the dead because of prayers offered at the revival.
The Assemblies of God and other groups also cautioned that some of Bentley’s claims of mystical experiences such as visiting with angels and figures from the Bible were suspect.
