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The main focus of the services have been on what supporters believe to be divine healing of conditions such as cancer, deafness, diabetes, and paralysis<ref name=faith-healing>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20080425/NEWS/804250386|title=Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=TheLedger.com|accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref>. In an effort to verify claims of healing, Bentley's staff say they welcome as much documentation as people are willing to give, including verification from doctors<ref name=hundreds-of-healings>{{cite news|url=http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/29/1075189.aspx|title=Revivalist Claims Hundreds of Healings|publisher=''[[MSNBC]]''|author=Rhee, Alice|date=2008-05-29|accessdate=2008-06-10}}</ref>. [[Nightline (US news program)|Nightline]]'s June 2008 investigation was unable to independently verify any of the healings.<ref name="ABCNewsSearch"/> Participants in the revival are known to sing, laugh, and shout ecstatically, and many fall down under the influence of the [[Holy Spirit]], according to revival leaders<ref name=faith-healing>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20080425/NEWS/804250386|title=Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=TheLedger.com|accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref>.
The main focus of the services have been on what supporters believe to be divine healing of conditions such as cancer, deafness, diabetes, and paralysis<ref name=faith-healing>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20080425/NEWS/804250386|title=Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=TheLedger.com|accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref>. In an effort to verify claims of healing, Bentley's staff say they welcome as much documentation as people are willing to give, including verification from doctors<ref name=hundreds-of-healings>{{cite news|url=http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/29/1075189.aspx|title=Revivalist Claims Hundreds of Healings|publisher=''[[MSNBC]]''|author=Rhee, Alice|date=2008-05-29|accessdate=2008-06-10}}</ref>. [[Nightline (US news program)|Nightline]]'s June 2008 investigation was unable to independently verify any of the healings.<ref name="ABCNewsSearch"/> Participants in the revival are known to sing, laugh, and shout ecstatically, and many fall down under the influence of the [[Holy Spirit]], according to revival leaders<ref name=faith-healing>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20080425/NEWS/804250386|title=Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=TheLedger.com|accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref>.


Lakeland healing services have been critized in mainstream media and on internet blogs for the occasional violence done to the participants.<ref> http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghGk5Lj6-e5KJOZMpIzs-pBPVnTAD91R35KO4 </ref> <ref> http://tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece </ref>
<ref> http://www.goodnewsfl.org/local.asp?page=bc/0608/front/todd.asp </ref> At Todd Bentley has been known to forcefully kick, hit, smack <ref> http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS01/807180458 </ref> or knock over participants. In one incident a man was knocked over and lost a tooth. In another another an elderly woman was intentionally kicked in the face. During such times Bentley holds that the Holy Spirit lead him to such actions. <ref> http://tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece </ref>
<ref> http://www.goodnewsfl.org/local.asp?page=bc/0608/front/todd.asp </ref>


== Finances ==
== Finances ==

Revision as of 18:40, 25 July 2008

Lakeland Revival or Florida Healing Outpouring is a Christian revival which began on April 3, 2008 when Evangelist Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries was invited to Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida by Pastor Stephen Strader. Bentley was originally invited to be in Lakeland for only five days but remained there for over three months.

Through its airing on GOD TV, the revival has become well-known throughout the Pentecostal movement[1]. Bentley's ministry has estimated that over 140,000 have visited and 1.2 million have watched via the Internet[2].

Controversy

The revival has generated some controversy among members of the Christian community, as some leaders questioned (or even outright rejected) the authenticity of the revival.[3] Some skeptics have challenged the revival on the basis of the evidence put forward for the healing testimonies and sermon content[4]. Some criticism has stemmed from some of Todd Bentley's unorthodox practices, which include shouting "Bam, Bam!" while praying for the sick[5] and testifying to having had visions of an angel named Emma[6].

In June 2008 Nightline carried out an investigative report on Bentley. Some days after the broadcast, Fresh Fire Ministries released a statement announcing that Bentley was taking time off "to refresh and to rest" and their Lakeland broadcasts on GOD TV were put on hold.[7] One week later, God TV announced Bentley would resume the ministry and, starting July 18th, the broadcasts would continue.[8]

The main focus of the services have been on what supporters believe to be divine healing of conditions such as cancer, deafness, diabetes, and paralysis[1]. In an effort to verify claims of healing, Bentley's staff say they welcome as much documentation as people are willing to give, including verification from doctors[2]. Nightline's June 2008 investigation was unable to independently verify any of the healings.[7] Participants in the revival are known to sing, laugh, and shout ecstatically, and many fall down under the influence of the Holy Spirit, according to revival leaders[1].


Lakeland healing services have been critized in mainstream media and on internet blogs for the occasional violence done to the participants.[9] [10] [11] At Todd Bentley has been known to forcefully kick, hit, smack [12] or knock over participants. In one incident a man was knocked over and lost a tooth. In another another an elderly woman was intentionally kicked in the face. During such times Bentley holds that the Holy Spirit lead him to such actions. [13] [14]

Finances

The Lakeland Revival does not charge for attendance, but attendees can contribute to voluntary offerings that fund building and staff expenses.[7] In response to questions about finances, Strader and Bentley stated in interviews that the Lakeland Revival has been funded entirely from these voluntary donations[15]. The event has changed venues on a number of occasions, starting at the Ignited Church and sister Church in Auburndale, and moving to the $15,000 per night Lakeland Center and Marchant Stadium. After outgrowing its previous venues, the revival meetings moved to an air conditioned tent that seats 10,000[2].

Bentley said he will open the books for independent auditors[2]. However, requests for financial disclosure from World Magazine were met with a comment that Bentley is "too busy keeping up with what God is doing"[3] to provide financial information.

Bentley's spokesperson has said that Bentley "continues to draw his standard salary, set by his board, from his office in Canada. It is a modest salary and is in the five-figure range," and that Fresh Fire Ministries is audited annually[2]. A newspaper in Vancouver reported that Bentley owned a home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, a 2007 GMC Sierra, and a 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle[4].

See Also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue". TheLedger.com. April 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rhee, Alice (2008-05-29). "Revivalist Claims Hundreds of Healings". MSNBC. Retrieved 2008-06-10. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Leonard, Rusty and Cole, Warren (2008-06-30). "Same old Scam?". Retrieved 2008-06-30.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b "Tattooed preacher says God heals through him". The Charlotte Observer. June 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  5. ^ "Bam! Pow! When Prayer Ministry Gets Violent". Charisma Magazine Online. June 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  6. ^ "Honest Questions About the Lakeland Revival". Charisma Magazine Online. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  7. ^ a b c "Thousands Flock to Revival in Search of Miracles". ABC News. 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2008-06-09. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Todd Bentley back at Lakeland from Friday". GOD TV. July 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-09. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghGk5Lj6-e5KJOZMpIzs-pBPVnTAD91R35KO4
  10. ^ http://tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece
  11. ^ http://www.goodnewsfl.org/local.asp?page=bc/0608/front/todd.asp
  12. ^ http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS01/807180458
  13. ^ http://tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece
  14. ^ http://www.goodnewsfl.org/local.asp?page=bc/0608/front/todd.asp
  15. ^ "Geraldo Rivera, Todd Bentley, and the Lakeland Revival". Christian Crunch.com. June 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
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