Todd Bentley and ‘The Lakeland Revival’ at Ignited Church & Auburndale
Lee kindly drew my attention yesterday to what was happening in Lakeland, Florida, and then I came across this article today which gives some more detail: (if you have not already, please read this article on Todd Bentley: http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/todd-bentley-prophesying-bad-cold-reading/ )
‘What began as a five-day revival at Ignited Church in Lakeland has become something of a sensation locally and, thanks to the Internet, in Pentecostal circles worldwide.
Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley has been leading “healing meetings” at Ignited since April 2, attended by as many as 20,000 people so far, and the meetings will continue twice daily through April 27, church leaders say. The meetings have drawn attention for what Bentley and Ignited Pastor Stephen Strader say are miraculous instances of people healed of serious medical conditions.
The evening services usually fill Ignited’s 700-seat sanctuary, and people have been waiting for hours for the doors to open, Strader said. The crowds have included people from outside Lakeland, outside Polk County and even other states. Ignited’s media coordinator, Lynne Breidenbach, said a doctor from England had flown over to attend services after seeing reports on the Internet.
The services have been streamed live via the Web site www.ustream.tv, and as of Wednesday morning, the services had received more than 100,000 views.
Bentley was invited by Strader to return to Ignited after a brief visit last year. In an interview Tuesday, Bentley said it is unusual for him to cancel other scheduled appearances in order to continue leading a series of services.“There was something different about this meeting. It was evident by the third day, I really felt something unique was happening,” he said. “We decided to stay another week. The crowds grew, the miracles grew.”
Bentley, 32, runs Fresh Fire Ministries, based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He said he dropped out of school in the eighth grade and overdosed on drugs three times before he became a Christian in 1994. According to a 2003 article in Charisma, a magazine devoted to Pentecostal news, before his conversion at age 18, Bentley spent several stints in jail, including one for a sexual assault committed as a juvenile.
Bentley’s arms and neck are covered with tattoos with religious symbolism, and he wears jeweled studs in his chin and ear. He said what has been different about these meetings is an “electric atmosphere” that he attributed to “the manifest, lingering presence of God. … I’ve never seen something spread so fast.”
The evening services usually last for several hours, beginning with an hour or more of near-deafening music that has the wildly eclectic crowds leaping and spinning. At Tuesday evening’s service, a black teenage boy was greeted by a middle-aged white man, and an elderly woman in pink with a fake-fur hat linked arms with a young woman in her 20s, while bikers with Christian insignia on their leather vests stood by the stage with arms upraised.
Shortly after Bentley took the stage, wearing a black T-shirt and baggy black jeans, he began calling out diseases and medical conditions carried by unidentified persons in the room - a practice Pentecostals call “word of knowledge” - which Bentley said were being spontaneously healed.
“Tumors are going to be pulled right out of people’s bodies tonight. … Someone has a growth on their face, on their neck, a woman in this room right now. Put your hand on your face. It’s being burned off by the fire of God. … Somebody else uses an oxygen mask, and the Lord’s touching you tonight. God wants to open your lungs,” he said, while pacing the stage.
A line of people formed at the foot of the stage. Bentley’s assistants talked with them before bringing them up to Bentley, who asked a rapid-fire series of questions of those who approached him - “What are you feeling? What’s happening? Can you move your arm?” He labored over several people who said they had hearing problems, shouting at one, “I command this deafness - go! - in Jesus’ name” and asking, “Can you hear me now?” Responses varied from uncertain to yes.
“Not everyone is instantly healed. We don’t make any claims. We just pray,” Bentley said.
People with problems in their knees or feet were asked to jump or run across the stage after Bentley prayed. Praying over one young woman who said she had metal rods in her spine, Bentley said, “I ask you, Holy Ghost, to remove the metal rods from her back. Loose!”
Even within Pentecostal circles, Bentley is controversial for his claims of visitations by angels. He said Tuesday that before coming to Lakeland he had been visited by “the angel of the winds of change” who told him he would “bring change to Lakeland.”
Bentley defended these claims of “supernatural encounters” as identical to biblical accounts.
“I believe that’s available to everybody. In today’s world, people are hungry for that, they’re fascinated by that,” he said.
Harried and hoarse, Strader said Tuesday evening the “outpouring,” as he and Bentley are calling it, is spontaneous.
“It’s nothing you can plan for. You hope for it, you pray for it, but it’s totally a God thing,” he said.
Strader is the son of the Rev. Karl Strader, former pastor of Carpenter’s Home Church. who also was known for leading splashy services and revivals. After the 1995 conviction of Karl Strader’s son, Dan, on charges of investment fraud, Carpenter’s Home Church dwindled, and the church eventually sold its massive North Lakeland sanctuary to Without Walls Central Church.
The cash proceeds of the sale, $3.5 million, were used to purchase and renovate the former Scotty’s Hardware Store that now houses Ignited Church. Ignited began holding services at the site in 2006. ‘
Article by Cary McMullen, The Ledger, Apr. 19, 2008
See also
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/a-false-healing-revival-todd-bentley-and-lakeland-ignited-events/
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-toronto-blessingor-curse/
and
Other linked articles will be found under ’signs and wonders’ tag, ‘kansas city prophets’, and ‘patricia king’.
The following ‘possibly related posts’ is something wordpress have added in against my permission, and I do not know how to remove yet, so I cannot condone all these posts as I have not chosen them.
I was dismayed to learn that Todd Bentley had sexually assaulted a 7 year old boy when he was fourteen. This is what he had to say about it: “I don’t like to talk about it publicly because it would hurt [my ministry].” he concedes. “I don’t whip it out in the newspapers …
Now I agree that there should be forgiveness in the body of Christ when someone has fallen into sin. It should follow confession and repentance. Has this happened? I don’t recall Paul covering up his history of persecuting the saints in case it should damage his ministry. Also, should such a person be in ministry? Read Paul’s description of an elder in 1 Timothy 3. This counsel is repeated in Titus 1.
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,[a] he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
Now I never heard of Todd Bentley before watching the youtube clip, and I don’t have anything against him personally. But something ain’t right here.
To be fair, I don’t think anyone can be blamed for what they did before coming to Christ - however bad - if they have confessed their sin and repented of it….as long as they are not self righteous and hypocritical about it either.
The public restoration of a minister/ministry is if they fall while in ministry, it is not to do with the sins in the past before they were saved. However, that all said, the church does fail in testing and trying their ministers. I remember one pentecostal church I knew where someone who was saved six months was made an elder, I think because he had supposed signs following him. He was a really nice guy (I used to work with him) and he was charismatic and enigmatic in a quiet and slightly weird way, and I think God did have a calling of ministry on his life, but he was only in his early twenties, and single, and sadly it did get to his head….I met him and his flock one night in MacDonalds and it was more like a cult than a youth group with far too much centring on him. But for all that he was a nice guy - shame.
Do you really think that no sin is too heinous before coming to Christ should disqualify a person from being a shepherd? In the days of Paul, there wouldn’t have been a question about Todd Bentley becoming a minister, because for this particular crime he certainly would have been stoned to death. So I guess the Scripture passage that I quoted doesn’t speak to this exact situation. But still I think this does bring disgrace on the church because of the general expert opinion that pedophilia isn’t curable. This isn’t a question of him being saved, just on his fitness to be a shepherd. Makes me think of how God wouldn’t let David build his house because his hands were stained with blood. Anyhow, I digress. His leadership of God’s people is demonstrated for any to evaluate on the clip linked in your article.
Yes Karina - no crime, however distasteful to us - that is the wonder of the gospel. If any man is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new is come.
The first comment about Todd assaulting a 7 year old boy.WHERE did you get that information.I really want to know.I’ve been following his ministry for 5 years and NEVER EVER heard that.
Here you are Cindy.
The Report Newsmagazine
04-30-2001
Does forgiving mean forgetting?
A faith healer comes clean on his young-offender conviction for child
molestation
Rick Hiebert
Todd Bentley has a confession to make. A faith healer who has attracted international attention over the past several months, Bentley presents himself as a reformed bad boy who was once jailed for 18 months for ” crimes of an assault nature” and breaking-and-entering in his hometown of Gibsons, B.C.
The truth is, his most serious crime was more heinous: the molestation of a seven-year-old boy. “They were sexual crimes,” Bentley
admits. “I was involved in a sexual-assault ring. I turned around and did what had happened to me. I was assaulted too.”
“I don’t like to talk about it publicly because it would hurt [my ministry ].” he concedes. “I don’t whip it out in the newspapers or on TV because people will go ‘Whaaa?’ I’ll say ‘I was in prison, period. Let’s move on.’”
Bentley’s admission took place after he was confronted with information given to The Report following the magazine’s publication of a story (” Signs and wonders,” March 5) on his burgeoning ministry. Federal law protects young offenders by prohibiting the dissemination of any information that may identify a youth convicted of a crime, but Bentley, now 25, freely provided details of the offence.
“I was 13 years old when I committed my crime,” he says. “I was jailed at 14.” (In fact, The Report has learned that Bentley molested the boy in October 1990, when Bentley was
14, and that he was sentenced in March 1991, when he was 15.)
Bentley, who is now married and is the father of three young children, stresses he has repented for his crime and has undergone three years of counselling. “There has not been and there won’t be other cases,” says the
evangelical faith healer, who feels he needs no counselling to ensure he does not re-offend. “It’s something that’s dead and buried for me.”
But, in an age when the likes of Protestant televangelists and Catholic priests have been ensnared by sexual scandal, the issue is far from dead.
Denny Cline, pastor of the Albany, Oregon, Vineyard church where Bentley launched a healing revival last year, looks on him as a spiritual son and says Bentley always exhibits a godly character. Upon learning of Bentley’s
molesting offence, Pastor Cline remarks, “I don’t think he told me that, but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. It wouldn’t have mattered in regards to what he is doing now, and the person that he is now…If he’s paid his
debt to society and God’s forgiven him of everything, then who am I to not forgive?”
On the other hand, Lieutenant Jeff Johnston, a Salvation Army pastor in Port Alberni, B.C., who used to work in Bentley’s hometown, is more skeptical.
“There’s absolutely no way that I would allow my own kids to come within a million miles of anyone who had been involved in a youth
sexual assault,” he says. Lieut. Johnston notes a church group tried to bring Bentley to Gibsons for a series of meetings in 1997, but the gatherings were called off after Lieut. Johnston and other pastors threatened not to allow their youth groups to attend.
“It’s one thing to be forgiving, it’s another thing to be stupid,” Lieut. Johnston says. “If you, as a pastor, had someone in your church ministry who had been involved in these things and they ever re-offended, the fact that you knew and didn’t disclose it to parents, take every precaution, would be a huge liability issue.”
Forewarned is forearmed, says Canadian Alliance MP Randy White. Given the
notorius recidivism of pedophile offenders, the federal government should pass the national sex-offenders registry bill he tabled April 4. Mr. White explains that police need to be able to keep track of sex offenders who enter fields such as itinerant evangelism. “It’s worse not to admit the offence from the start,” Mr. White observes. “If you hide it, ultimately someone will cross your path and expose you. It becomes twice as hard to deal with.”
Furthermore, Darrell Johnson, a professor of pastoral theology at Vancouver’s Regent College and a Presbyterian minister, says that although Bentley promises his past is “dead and buried,” his victim–and the victim’s family–are likely still suffering. The professor is also concerned that Bentley admits he has no team of pastors or counsellors to help him now. Says Prof. Johnson, “Openness, transparency and accountability would protect him, as well as the people he ministers to.”
Photo cap: Evangelist Bentley: “I don’t like to talk about it publicly because it would hurt [my ministry].”
See also
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/a-false-healing-revival-todd-bentley-and-lakeland-ignited-events/
This is to Karina. Can you read???Todd Bentley was 14 yrs old when this happened, he was not a Christian. Do you understand what it means to be born again????When you give your heart to Jesus old things including your past and all things are made new. This born again experience happened when he was 18, Do you know what that means? God does noe even remember what he did at 14, so who are you to judge his past? you better repent
Debbie,
When you make sarcastic jabs at me, it makes me feel angry, not repentant. Please don’t do it. I expect to be able to ask a question and discuss/learn without being belittled. The way I look at things today is not etched in stone and I continue to grow in my understanding. Thanks for your consideration.
Debbie,
Wow. Your response to Karina was uncharitable at best. I hope you don’t preach to the lost this way.
Karina,
You’ve shown much grace in your response in your response to her response. Christ’s love in and through you is quite evident.
And, we’re ALL growing!
“Now I never heard of Todd Bentley before watching the youtube clip, and I don’t have anything against him personally. But something ain’t right here.” Karina made this statement in a previous post. I have been listening to audio files on Todd’s site for over a year. Anyone can listen to his teachings. He has been very open about his past, i.e. - growing up in a broken home, drugs and alcohol were rampant, overdosing on drugs before the age of 17, being in jail several times for various charges as a youth, and has detailed how his life going down the tubes before he was saved. He received salvation in his drug dealer’s trailer. Since then, he has been pursuing God and has fruit - salvations, healings, signs & wonders - to show the world. He has been saved since the age of 18, is 32 now. Saul of Tarsus, Christian killer, became Paul the apostle, and it’s still happening, folks.
Todd Bentley sexually assaulted a 7 year old boy? He is holding a revival in Stephen Strader’s Ignited church? Steven’s brother Dan is in jail for 45 years for robbing Christians even members of his father’s church? See http://crooksag.tripod.com/crooks.pdf. Steve dad Karl stole Carpenter’s Home Church and used the proceeds to purchase and renovate the former Scotty’s Hardware Store that now houses Ignited Church.
Isn’t there some red flags here that we should note? Don’t we have the appearance of wolves in sheep’s clothing? Who says that Todd Arnott has any integrity?
“I was dismayed to learn that Todd Bentley had sexually assaulted a 7 year old boy when he was fourteen. This is what he had to say about it: “I don’t like to talk about it publicly because it would hurt [my ministry].” he concedes. “I don’t whip it out in the newspapers”
Why be dismayed? Isn’t that a reason to rejoice? God set Todd free from so much which is why Todd is so sold out to God. As far as “whipping it out to newspapers”, why should he? He repented of his sins. He doesn’t owe the public or the newspapers and apology.
It’s sad that people are too busiy poking at people’s past to receive the great things God is doing through them now. His ways are radical, yes, but these are times that require radical actions. We are at war with a very real enemy and I’m glad to count Todd as one of the “good guys”.
Please pray for healing for Nadine in Tallahassee, Florida?
I have been to the revivals and the out pouring of the Holy spirit is incredible. Regardless of Todds past he is an evangelist something we are called to do. Look at Pauls past and look at what the Lord did with him.
When you are washed clean with the blood of Christ you are clean old things are past away….
Just a side note the reason we came to this revival was totally the work of the Holy spirit, we did not plan to come to this event it just happened that I had a work related trip down to Florida that was were the revival was being held. Just before leaving for the trip three people told my wife about the Ignited church and that if we had a chance we should go to one of their services.
Thank you Jesus….
In Jesus
Gordon
Interesting the talk of “pedophiles” and the recidivism rates, someone needs to check theri sources. Empirical studies present a vast difference between adolescent and adult sexual offenders. By the way according to the DSMIV, that is the official psychological manuel, one cannot be considered a pedophile until they are 18 years or older. Further research shows that with treatment recidivism rates for adolescents are generally 8-13%. Exposure to violence in the home, substance abuse, problems in school, and lack of attachment/bonding to parent figure are factors that contribute to sexual offending. Many youth that themselves have been abuse victims should they not have treatment go on to offend, often when they reach puberty or the age of their victimizer. Sad so many people label troubled teens for the rest of theri lives and have unfounded fears. By the way there is also research that presents that the registration of sexual offenders does nothing to keep the public safer, it provides a false sense of security. The Apostle Paul was mightly used by the Lord, when he was Saul he was responsible for multiple murders of Chrsitians, kind of a relious cleanser of the time. I believe murder was also an offense of the time that would have called for one’s life. Before people freak out perhaps they should gather more facts. By the way read Journey into the Miracelous, it has been out for some time and there is disclosure of being a sexual offender. If we are honest I am sure there is at least one thing in our past that we would not want to be written on our forehead. Ye who is without……………any stones?
I have followed Todd for quite awhile and have heard this about him before. He was fourteen, and it isn’t an excuse, but he has come to a life of renewal in Christ. God is using him to touch and heal many people.
I was in a meeting November 2007 where Todd was the main speaker in Winnipeg MB, Canada. He mentioned in the meeting that he had done horrible things before he came to the Lord. He did mention a sexual assault charge. That doesn’t sound to me like anyone who is covering anything up. He confessed his sin to a crowd of about 300 people. All this at the risk of hurting his ministry. I beleive he is a changed man. Just another example of the power of the Gospel.
Hey Trent
Todd’s past, I have repeatedly said, is not of account when I weigh Todd’s ministry. I also did not say he covered it up in this context - the article says he confessed it and volunteered the information.
He may well be a changed man when it comes to sexual abuse. I have no reason to suspect otherwise. BUT - and this is key - there is sinful behaviour evident in his ministry now like the false teaching and lies and other fakery and charlatanism. This is sinful and gross, and turns my stomach and causes bile to come into my throat, as much (if not more) than his abusing a little boy before he was saved.
Praise GOD.
I have seen several eye witness accounts of people receiving genuine healings as a result of attending the Lakeland meetings or from watching the meeting via the internet on God.tv. One of the local pastors from Thunder Bay Canada flew down to attend the meetings with his wife. She had a spinal injury where her spine healed crooked. She had x-rays to prove it. While she was at the meeting she felt the power of God go through her spine. When she got back to Canada everyone was telling her she looked taller so she went to the doctor and got new x-rays that showed her back was completely straight. I also know a lady who runs a bible study that I attend who while watching a meeting on the internet received healing of her hearing and I know her well enought to attest to the fact that the healing is real. No matter what you think about Todd the healings that we see are real. I don’t see anything to make my stomack upset about that. God can use anyone to bring healing to His kingdom.
I think we need to consider the fact that Moses was a murderer, Paul was a murderer, Rahab was a harlot, Just look at Samson and all the mistakes he made, Mary Magdellan may have been a prostitute. God does seem to use some people we wouldn’t consider to be the right candidate for the job. His ways are higher than ours. In God’s eyes all our pasts have been wiped away. I don’t think that very many of us would be worthy to be called by the Lord if not for His covenant of forgiveness. I am a sinner and Christ is a great Saviour. It is only through the cross that I am made righteous.
Are we open to GOD being GOD? Yes! Yes! Yes! Amen
We can rationalize the molestation away can’t we? It is exactly like Moses or David isn’t it? No big deal, G-d has forgiven all. Cool. Send your kids to him. After all, what is a molestation to a little boy? He isn’t your son. No biggie. Look how wonderful Todd is now. New and improved…
Isn’t this a case of God forgiving us, and us turning around and demanding payment from a fellow slave. You will never let Todd forget what happened, even when Jesus has, and Todd is not “unaccountable” he has a team of pastors to which he is accountable (he even brought them up and introduced them in Lakeland a couple of weeks ago).
Don’t know this guy Todd Bentley but someone mentioned the revival to me so I was looking for information and came across this site. So coming in cold to the whole thing I would like to thank Alyce for some actual facts on the whole sexual assault thing, by the way everyone she is correct. As one who is interested in this I would like to know some facts from “endtimesprophecticwords” on your comment about false teaching, lies, etc and what they are because in my ministry experience a strong religious spirit in you can cause the physical symptoms you speak of happening to you. Please let me know what it is he is preaching that is false because if true this is solid evidence we can all judge for ourselves not just have an emotional debate. By the way to Wanda I am so sorry for what it is that has hurt you so deeply I pray you will not be content until you find healing in God for your own trauma.
I have watched the revival on the web and am now a moderator in one of the chat rooms.
After 15 days, of participating, TWICE per day, I can tell you that I am now in the Kingdom of God. I wake up in the Glory of Jesus every day since last Thursday. My mind has been cleared of all past traumas including the ancient ones from before the creation (the fall). And much much more.
I only looked at the title and scanned the first message here, so I do not know what consensus u have reached so far.
I can only tell u what I did. I found out about it two saturdays ago and by the second day, I placed my destiny in God under the mantle of this MOVE OF GOD, and since then, I have reaped all the benefits of this Glory Of Jesus which comes to meet us at each meeting and is also present in cyberspace in the chat room.
This Glory of JEsus is now IN ME, always. I woke up sunday morning in the Glory.
Friday, I did more things throughout my day, errands, cleaning, laundry, cooking, TWO meetings for the revival, and at midnight, I said WOW what a day. not tired. enjoyed it all. I have joy, peace of mind.
this is MY personal testimony to you all.
This revival is a move of our God.
I love u all, see u in the chat.
Last nights meeting was amazing. I was moved to cry out to the Lord for a move of His Spirit to come and change my heart. It was impossible to deny the presence of the Lord and I was watching over the internet. In fact I cried out to the true Lord Jehovah or Yaweh if you prefer of the Bible. I was crying out for the salvation of my family and my city. It is a move of repentence and relationship with the Almighty God. What ever you call it this outpouring, revival, movement is drawing people to God.
ladynada,
You said, “After 15 days, of participating, TWICE per day, I can tell you that I am now in the Kingdom of God. I wake up in the Glory of Jesus every day since last Thursday. My mind has been cleared of all past traumas including the ancient ones from before the creation (the fall). And much much more.”
Could you explain this paragraph? I’m not familiar with the terminology that you are using.
i.e.:
“After 15 days, of participating, TWICE per day, I can tell you that I am now in the Kingdom of God.”
At what point during this 15 days did you know you were now in the Kingdom of God and what exactly happened to you that you knew it?
AND:
“My mind has been cleared of all past traumas including the ancient ones from before the creation (the fall).”
I’m at a loss to understand that statement. Could you clarify? Are you saying that you were traumatized by Adam and Eve’s fall or, since they were part of the creation, even before that by some “ancient ones”?
Sincerely,
David
Im in my middle 50s and came to really know the Lord 6 years ago, i asked him to take over my life and he did
afew weeks later he showed up in my bedroom and i blacked out. ive never been the same; the life of drinking, brawling, hate , cheating , liying, murder, etc, was over! .
So what does this mean, ?
since then ive learned that almost everyone speaking for the Lord is a false prophet to all the other false prophets speaking for the Lord.
im sick of the whole bunce of you.
MAY GOD BE TRUE AND ALL MEN LIERS .
I keep my eyes on him alone .
My stomach turns when these “revivals” pop up, and I’m a charismatic. Let’s check back in three or four years and see if these “healings” are still valid. This clique of word/faithers are nothing more than snake oil salesmen.
I’ll say one more thing….Even though I think this is blatant deception on the part of these “preachers”, God can use hideous things to get his point and word across.
He used a donkey once.
I want the Fire of God. & Revival at my church New Bethel Holiness Church @ Mount Olive Drive In Brenham Texas.
Thank you.
I am being bless by the revival on GOD TV.
Tod please annoint this paper for my husband, Sergio P Macias my sons Sergio Macias Michael,my daughtes Lynda, Sarah grandaughters Anjolie 6 yrs old and Aliah 3 yrs old, my brother in Honduras Rigo Rodriguez the Lord Jeshua will baptize them with the new fire of the Holy Spirit the new annointing will burn them amen….and to me too…and my church “The Call to Worship in Buena Park amen.
We should not judge others for what they did in there past God has forgiven him and removed his sin as far as the east is from the west. So what give you the right to judge? The bible speaks on Jesus saying “He without sin cast the first stone are your hands so clean surely not for we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So many times we look for all the bad in people and overlook the good. Christians are to be there for each other our enemy is the Devil the accuser of the brethren. God forgave David after all the sin he committed in fact he said he loved David because he had a heart after God own heart it didn’t matter the sin it was the sincerity of the Godly sorrow of his sins. Keep in mind that God loves us all and his mercy and grace is new every morning it is up to you to decide what you do with your looks like Pastor Todd is running for Christ with his what are you doing with your?
We are addicted to watching, this is the 3rd week, we have not missed a night. checked on cost to get us there and just to far out of our reach. We are praying in the wave here in Humboldt county, Eureka, California. We are expecting a miracle healing in my husbands body. His ears, teeth, spine and hip. He is partially death in both ears, needs major dental work has had his back fused from neck to tail bone and has bone spurs on his hips where they took bone for the fusions. “We pray for total and complete healing Lord, We want to show xrays without all the titanium holding him together, Lord, We thank-you for the awesome testimony that will bring gloriging your Great and almighty Name! In Jesus Name, amen.”
Also,”I lift up my daughter Julie Gray to you Lord, you know where she is and the trouble and torment she is now facing, Please Abba God, wrap your arms around her and dont let go father, consume her in your love and grace.
You are so wonderful, so calming, so awesome, I thank you Lord and pray to you in our loveing savouir Jesus Name,
amen”.
I ask that Todd and everyone having the awesome privilage to be in Lakeland Florida in the pouring out of Gods Great Glory, Please join me in my 3 prayers ;
This glorious revival coming to Eureka California
My Husband, Jeffry Genzoli and
My Daughter, Julie Gray.
Thank-you
Be well and GOD BLESS you all,
Sally Genzoli, a child of THE KING!
i hope that this revival reaches to Naples, Florida - there are a lot of older people who need revival in their souls & a real salvation experience.
everyone seems to be so busy with their lives that they forget about
really reaching out and praying for one another.
God, please, please keep your outpouring coming. We are pastoring a great church in Sowerby Bridge Yorkshire UK and we are all on fire but want MORE. We have been blessed with the finances to come and are coming as soon as term finishes for the half term break - May 24th. Lord keep pouring.
yes the fundalmentalist are attacking again. what else is new?
Hello…believers needing change! wasnt your God givin miricle of faith in the cross and the power therein enough for you? Please stand up and walk. Get out from in front of your TVs and computors, there is work to be done. How many of our lives have been stopped by this? Dont let the enemy make you greedy for more, didnt he give you all you need? Now go and make deciples. How many people have died and entered into eternity, possibly Hell, in all the hours you have watched? And the monies used to go to and fro to find God, please support your life sacificing missionarys sprending the GOOD NEWS!!! It is finished. Go open your mouths and expeience the true
power of God working in your fearful and trembling obeidean
All of you that are negative, please to ask just a few questions. Is God being glorified? Is the name if Jesus being lifted up? Are people receiving salvation, being set free and delivered?
Much of this last sentence you cannot answer because you are not there. You are not in one of those bodies needing deliverance or healing.
Neither your opinions nor you doctrines can do anything to my experience because of the miraculous that happened in my life. So, I know that when you TRULY believe that “all things are possible to those that believe” you will receive. When you do not everything like this is just an illusion to you. Because you do not really believe that all things really are possible.
I wonder, if you had lived a few thousand years ago and you overheard someone being told to go down catch a fish and there would be money it it’s mouth what your response would be.
I have 50 stories of things I have personally experienced on wife, my children, friends and myself. What is happening in Lakeland is like a concentration of all those events in one short period of time.
One such experience is about reviling and slandering Gods chosen authority. If He has chosen Todd Bentley as His representatives for a season and there are those of you that are slandering, it is dangerous ground you walk. I know that for a fact jack. I have seen it! Be careful. If it is not of God it will be exposed and He (The Father) does not need you help particularly to do that. If it is then you place yourself at great risk for slandering the appointed authority of God. God does not take it a light thing for us to usurp His authority. Read your Bible, this runs all through the life of Moses and many others.
Please dont play the speaking against Gods chosen authority card, we are all, who have recieved His annointing,2cor 1:21,held responsible for the word of God. We need to apply proper biblical hermeneutics to our use of scripture here. Acts 4:26 was an indicative, Where as 1 cor 14:29 is an inparative. “Let two or three prophesy and let the others evaluate what is said.”
ALL wrongdoing is sin according to the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD. Our past sins have been BLOTTED OUT by the blood of JESUS. How much of our past is blotted out?????ALL of our past.!!!!! John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Saul (before becoming Paul) had believers KILLED!!! What sin is worse? Even Paul found mercy from the Lord over his past, and we read the Words of God today that God wrote through him in the letters to the churches!!!! We should rejoice that God is using vessels all over the world that are sold out to HIM!!!! Psalms 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy…Nicky
I love Jesus. I only see God being worshipped and people becoming Christians at these revivals. How is that a bad thing. So sick of the judgemental junk. We are all sinners. We are not here for Todd Bentley we are here to praise God. As long as they continue to praise the only and only true God I will continue to watch and grow closer to God. No Pharisee is going to stop me from being a part of loving God.
When I read thru these letters I am reminded that when judgment is made. we return to the floor of judgment and open ourselve up to the justice of God. I prefer not to be on that floor for as well as I live the spirit that follows me takes note and when I come down from the floor of grace afforded by Christ in total victory and return to the floor of justice I walk right back into the old teastiment and all the old rules apply to me at that time. Am I sinless no..so the leagalism that satan relies on to inflict punishment on to me no matter how small the sin,is in force. I choose to respect the out pouring I have been there a few times and it is quite different than tv or the web. I see that there is within the structure of the revival a pastoring and a bank to the river so to speek. This to a mainstream church goer may seem way out there however i have seen many of the old timers from the last outpouring here night after night because they know to eat the fish and spit out the bones. ask those that have been healed or those who are manifesting the power of God on their bodies and you may gain an insight to the diversity off experiences that have lifted the level of faith to those who have drawn near to God and to those who have fallen away alike.both are lifted up to the glory of God for his good plesure. the other thing that I have to remember,its not for me its for Him. Id rather make a mistake from time to time offering myself up to Him and have fun with Him than to turn away and say to myself and others ,its not of God. I trust that God will make it right if it isnt and will provide a loving atmosphere for those who love Him. Taste and see enjoy what is Good and smile that you were around to experience such a wonder. With much love for you all Poppy K
I would like to purchase some materials on end times prophecies, prophecy, visions, and revelations.
It’s sad to hear some of the comments concerning,Todd.Paul,in chapter 6 of Romans had to address a misunderstanding of Grace to the Romans.God’s Grace is not easily understood,hence,”what are you saying that we can continuing sinning that grace may abound”.We have ALL COME SHORT AND ARE NOT DESERVING OF HIS FORGIVENESS.God is the qualifier not man.I praise the Lord that He can take a man like,Todd and make a declaration of His goodness to the world while so many like the Pharisee of Jesus’day were ready to crucify Him.Praise the Lord!!!!!
HaHaHa! Should somebody who committed a sexual attack on someone be allowed to “be in ministry”? HaHaHa! Paul KILLED PEOPLE!!!
Wake up, demon boy!
That’s right! Paul had people killed for being Christians.
God forgave him that, right?
Remember, it isn’t about TODD BENTLEY! ITs ABOUT GOD!!!
I have read Todd Bentley’s teachings. I have to say that in his 3 page “manifesto” he hardly mentions Jesus at all. Yet he mentions Angels COUNTLESS times and drawing angels into your annointing, the Holy Spirit annointing and the third heaven.
He NEVER mentions true repentence of sin. He NEVER mentions the true Gospel message. I don’t get why he doesn’t just preach the gospel - it’s the only truth worth hearing.
People who defend his ‘ministry’ are so defensive - almost cultlike in their response to genuine concern and criticism about his ministry. I pray that they receive spiritual discernment from God and their blind eyes are opened.
Todd Bentley’s “visions” “healings” and words do not line up with the Word of God. He will be exposed - and I pray for those who are placing their hopes in him and not in the ONE who died for them on the cross.
And just one more thing - people are making comparisons between Todd Bentley, the Apostle Paul, Moses, and other great men of the bible.
Todd Bentley should not be mentioned in the same breath with these men of God. Paul didn’t get saved then have demonic tattoos placed on his body so he’d “fit in better” with the youth. If anything, Paul told us to be DIFFERENT from the world - set apart.
where will the next couple meetings be from May 31st and so on..please,if you could, send me a list of where these revivals will be held. I have seen these many times and brought my friends and also told my church about you so we had a little movie watch of your services. thank you so very much
I have met Todd Bentley and at first I was taken back a step. Yet you must look into the spirit and motive of his heart and not judge by what you see. I have been against every so called move of God in these revivals and even not I am not blind to things. Yet I tell you the truth this man prayed for me one night and I was healed and changed and my life will never be the same and I give God all the Glory.
Check out my web-site and blog me your issues and maybe I can help you understand where this man and movement is coming from. If this is not God it will die out but if it is God do you really want to miss it. Think about it. China earthquake, our crazy election, the economy, the sin in our young people. What if this is an end time revival, do you want to be like the Pharisees and miss Jesus.
E-mail me
Or visit our website compassion for others.com
The religous people that Jesus said were of there father the devil would rather debate doctrine than see people set free. They didnt accept Jesus or his ministry because he did it on the sabbath. You people who judge a man based on his works when is the last time God used you to raise the dead. You have become so externally minded thats all you can see and judge. God is obviously using Todd to bring the true gospel with signs following and all you can see is judging the flesh and his past. What makes you think you are smarter than God or that your judgement is better than his. Its not a debate about a man its about a revival in God. I dont care if God uses a donkey to get to me I just want God.
Are you really exalting sin above Gods grace,mercy,and love. This should be encouraging to all Christians to know that Hey God is changing a nation through a guy with a past. Now you know he can use anybody even you. Let it be a demonstration about how powerfull Gods grace is and let it empower you to go do the same.
I have read with interest everybodys comments and observations. Having flicked through the channels and came across the Revival in Lakeland I was surprised and a little concerned at some of the stuff but when my wife was completely healed sitting in the UK of illness and one of my mates has been healed I have to conclude that although it doesn’t fit into our theological box or our style of worship…JESUS IS AT WORK!
I thank God for what he is doing, and cant wait until he realeases the miracles in our church and ministry…while people are dying and going to hell, while women are hurting and in pain, while children are being hurt and men being lost we are saying God dont use Todd he has a bad past, he made a big mistake, let us condemn forever…Jesus, God in peace, sin no more, you are forgiven…this is not just for Todd it is to us…judgement can be forgiven…Todd Go for it in God…Keep critics at bay, your fruits show a changed spiritfilled man, and your ministry fruits show healings, salvations and deliverance…Come on God…thank you for using Todd
I can’t believe you are bringing to light what God has buried….
Im a new creation,
Im a brand new man,
old things have passed away
I’ve been born again
what does that mean to you?
If you bring this up, then what you are effectively saying is that God’s word is false and He is a liar, because the last I check, when a person is born again, they are washed whiter than snow and their sins are thrown into the sea of forgettfullness, or as far as the east is from the west, which has no set point…..this is exactly the kind of junk satan delights in seeing Christians doing to each other…
let it go and stop doing satans work….it wont get you anywhere except into hell and judgment…
I’d rather be in pain for the rest of my life than be healed by a spirit that is not of God.
As I read through these posts one thing is blaring…focus on everything but Jesus. For too long the church has been driven by the fear that they must keep themselves from bad things because Father God won’t. That is not spoken but is tangible by our actions. Fear is not of God for fear has torment. There has never been a perfect revival (except those we read about after everyone involved is dead & “sainted”
Because of spiritual pride & fear of deception (like we’re not all deceived anyway about things) I missed out on the last two great outpourings of God. I’ve been “Spirit filled” for 45 years but judged the odd manifestations because they had not been MY experience. I’ve shed that spirit of stupid now 
& am running after God, not Todd, not manifestations, but Jesus. The church is ineffective because we do the devils work of division & biting & devouring. It is a shame when the church is not a safe place. Every move persecutes the next. How sad. & just for the record the tattoos are all biblical stuff. There is a big difference between sin & poor taste. & if they you then perhaps you’ll want to stop eating pork & shellfish & not walk far on the Sabbath…& would that be a Saturday or a Sunday?? I’ve been to Lakeland, its the real deal. Perfect..no, but who/what/where is but heaven? “the devil doesn’t cast out the devil” Jesus said. & here’s a though…none of us would let JOhn the Bpatist babysit our kids…he looked & acted REALLY weird. 
Gotta love God’s ways, we just can’t understand HIm!!
Amelia,
Jesus is the Word made flesh [John 1]
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [John 8:31-32]
Many of us here are defending the Truth, which is NOT preached at Lakeland. In so doing we are defending Jesus. So, it is out of reverential fear that we defend the Word/Jesus while opposing Lakeland. Where is sin spoken of? Repentance? The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and convicts of sin. [John 14-16] So, what spirit is it in Lakeland?
I missed out on the last two great outpourings of God.
I presume you’re referring to Toronto ‘94 and Brownsville ‘95 which possessed the same spirit as the current revival.
It is a shame when the church is not a safe place.
AMEN! to that statement although I admit I pulled it out of your context. The “church” in Lakeland is NOT a safe place.
You say the tattoos are biblical stuff. The tattoos are really a minor thing in my eyes — it’s his theology that is scary. He’s a Latter Rain/Manifest Sons of God/Joel’s Army adherent. On his chest are tattooed “dog tags” of Joel’s Army — the same ones that are on the bottom of his “Joel’s Army” tab on his website. This is not “biblical” as this teaching is a distortion of the scripture of Joel 2:1-11.
Lee, Have you been to Lakeland or heard Todd or the others preaching? I have heard repentance preached & Jesus exalted. I don’t argue doctrine; it’s divisive. We all stand or fall before God. We’re all one family. Family’s might get weird but they’re still family. I bless you brother.
Doctrine is divisive - it divides the wolves from the sheep. Or do you want the wolves eating you up?
Amelia,
I don’t need to go to Lakeland as I’ve seen enough on TV/video, etc. I’ve not heard/seen Bentley ever preach the true gospel. If you’ve heard repentance preached, please tell me by who and when; so, that I can see this somewhere firsthand on video. Do you have a date? A clip?
I have heard him say, “This all started in 1948.” This is the year the Latter Rain heresy began. And, Bentley’s made enough statements which show his true heretical beliefs.
I don’t argue doctrine; it’s divisive.
I don’t ‘argue’ doctrine per se; but, I do quote scripture and I’ll defend its Truths. Do you believe I’ve misquoted the scripture above?
Doctrine defines Christianity. The bible is the inerrant Word of God. It provides the great divide between true believers and pretenders (or worse).
please can u pray for the revival hit hit me iam a 43year old man who feels the call on my life to preach iam so thristy for more of god
2 Timothy 2:14-16 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1 Corinthians 6:1-5 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
We see from scripture that not all Judgement is wrong. We are to Judge the matters of the Saints. God gives us wisdom, we need only ask for it. We are to use Righteous Judgement. We are suppose to know the scriptures through studying them and discern for ourselves. All saints are required to Judge in this way. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. The Bereans in the book of Acts are seen as more noble because they would study the scripture after hearing Paul preach to make sure his message was truth. It would be safe to say that Paul would not have been offended by this. We are foolish to just accept anything that comes along no matter how good it looks, or how good it feels. We know when the truth comes along by the fruit it produces. It may be too early to make a judgment as much of the fruit from the Lakeland meetings has not become ripe yet. I think it is good to be cautious. I also say that we need to avoid being afraid. Our God is more than able to protect us. I say be open to the move of the Holy Spirit, but listen and see if it is the Holy Spirit to begin with.
Thank you Trent, my heart is calmed and given peace in the words of silver in settings of gold God has given you.
I have read all of the comments and wonder if the body of Christ will ever move in one accord. From my personal experience I will tell you that regardless of what you may think of Todd, he is anointed for this move of God. The Holy Spirit directed me to bring a large bag of tracts (little cartoon witnessing booklets)to the meeting on Friday night before Mother’s Day to have them anointed. Todd anointed them and I have seen God use this tangible anointing to touch the lives of others. The outpouring of God’s fire and presence has been on me (but not before a good attack from the devil to delay God’s work and make me feel unsure of my qualifications for doing His work). The end result has been a new boldness to pray for others and a desire to see the lost saved, particularly children. I hope that regardless of how you feel about this evangelist or revival that it makes you even more determined to win souls to Jesus so that no one will perish and we will be able to tell the Lord on judgement day that we were witnesses for Him. May the Lord especially bless those who have poured out their hearts here for other Christians to pray with them - I am in agreement with you that God is a great big God and He cares for all of your needs and can do a mighty work in your life and in that of your loved ones. Dixie
Tod is a man of GOD SENT TO DO THE WILL OF GOD ALL WHO DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE THIS, THEY MIGHT AS WELL DON’T BELIEVE JESUS WORDS (THESE WORKS THAT I DO YOU WILL DO ALSO AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE BECAUSE I GO TO THE FATHER AND THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I)
35 years ago before I came to Christ I had an abortion. If I knew then what I know now I never would have done it. I now call it murder even though here in the U.S. it is allowed. Does that mean because I murdered a baby before I came to Christ I can never be in ministry now? I am so thankful that God has forgiven me. It took me a long time to forgive myself. Yes, I can be in ministry now. Isn’t it funny. It’s bad enough when non-christians come against christians. However, what is worst is when Christians shoot other Christians over doctrines, etc…. It’s petty. I’ve watched Todd Bentley and what he has is genuine. He just has boldness which alot of you don’t have.
I was unsure after watching it the first night, so the second night I said to Jesus, if this of you, this fire that Todd speaks of, then I want it! The next day at a more reasonable hour, I was filled with the fire and it lasted 8 and a half hours, culminating in the most amazing joy I have ever experienced. I couldn’t stop moving, my whole body was shaking. This happened in my home in Australia. After that, I prayed to Jesus for me to go to Lakeland. I am obedient to Jesus so I waited on His word. After 2 weeks of praying, I let it go, believing He didn’t want me going. The next day, Jesus gave me the word to go, 2 days later I was on a plane heading for America.
While there, my relationship with Jesus deepened big time. I fell out in the Spirit without anybody touching me. I was worshipping Jesus in the back behind the last rows of chairs at the Lakeland Center, my worship got so deep and hungry, I felt the Holy Spirit move me to kneel, I did, then I felt the Holy Spirit push me backward, I fell onto my back with my legs bent and arms stretched out toward heaven. For 3 songs God did a great healing work on my emotions.
After being in Lakeland for 2 weeks, I returned to Australia and my friends have all noticed a huge change in me. God healed me big time in the extermely strong anointing. Not only that, I now experience the manifest presence of God daily.
I also got to meet Todd and I can assure you, he has the love of Christ in his eyes and Jesus’ heart. He is a man who is hungry for Jesus.
Todd Bentley for over 55 nights except for a couple, has been the man up front in this outpouring, every now and then, he may have a bad night, but then the enemy does his best to attack. I know how the enemy attacks me, I can’t imagine what sort of attacks he must be under with his strong faith and anointing. In our walk, we will hit walls, that is the enemy attempting to slow us down or bring us to a place of satisfaction, it’s up to us to recognise the attacks for what they are and continue pressing in and seeking Jesus so the latest evil spirit attacking us will flee.
Praise Jesus for choosing such a strong man of faith to head up this outpouring.
Before you judge, how about you ask Jesus for the truth.
But Emma - you did not judge this or ask Jesus for truth. I have. You wanted the fire more than the truth.
Can any of you look at Todd’s messed-up spiritual history (Past and recent past), and believe that he is untainted by the works of the enemy? Talking to dead people, going to heaven at will, receiving mantles from people like Branham, who didn’t even believe in the trinity? Taking orders from female angels. Um, sorry, but so much of the stuff he’s been involved in is either forbidden by scripture, or goes beyond what is written. And we’re supposed to come and “get some”? Some WHAT???? What are you getting when he lays hands on you?? Do you have a clue? Things besides the Holy Spirit ARE imparted by the laying on of hands. Think on that one. Look at some of Pat Holliday’s books …
I’ve been spending a lot of time weeping before the Lord lately, and I’ve been GETTING SOME. Getting LOTS of brokenness, seeing how I believed these lies for far too long .. from the early Toronto days. What most of us need is not some drunkenness, but true repentance for the state of our own hearts, the church, and the world.
THEN, and only then, will we be truly useful in His hands.
“Things” - better said … other spirits besides the Holy Spirit are imparted. How much better the deceit, if the enemy of our souls disguises himself as Jesus and makes us “feel good”.
Watchman Nee in ,The Latent Power of the Soul, said “God uses man’s spirit whereas Satan uses man’s soul.” This is a very insightful read on the enemies devices to take us in a direction of deceat. Please take time to arm and guard yourselves and all in your family and friends in this time of the history of the Church. We have a great responsibility and we will be held accountable.
the most godly men are often like a bull in a chinashop…
not exactly what we would expect them to be,
they are Desperate, Fearless, Determined, Zealous & Powerful
if you would look at a person like Benny Hinn, you’d just have to consider the fruits and reject his ministry (http://youtube.com/watch?v=FUyPjeIFKug)
i believe that what YHWH is doing today takes spiritual discernment, through an understanding of the bare basics given in the Bible, cross-cultural, non-denominational etc.
keep in mind that it is very easy to criticize the guys actually stepping out of the boat. sometimes they fall… so what? as long as they keep repenting, like David, after his little adventure with Bathsheba. should we not support & protect them instead?
Shalom & Love,
hans.
Peace be with the reader.
The time has come , the harvest is ripe.
The Faithful Witness
Hi.I’m watching from a small town,Sasolburg,South Africa.We had pentecostal meetings a few months ago and when I first watched your show the Fire of the Spirit came upon me.I could’nt stop laughing.God relaesed the joy that the devil stole from m in 2006.I’m saved for six years now and I’m exited about what God is doing in South Africa an around the World.I’m holding a all girls camp September this year…My greatest wish is to be filled with the FIRE of the Holy Gohst so that I can pass it on to the girls.PLEASE!!!!!!!!Pray with me for that.
Be Blessed
Elnita (20,SA)