Todd Bentley, the Canadian evangelist who led the controversial “Lakeland Outpouring,” is involved in an “unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff,” according to the board of directors of Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries (FFM). The female’s name and age were not disclosed. Neither FFM nor the Bentleys could immediately be reached for comment.

“Discerning Christians recognized the tell tale signs of a disaster in the making at the Lakeland Revival. We’ve seen these sorts of tragedies occur time and time again in the Body of Christ over the decades,” said publisher of The Voice magazine.

“We all hoped to see a different outcome here, but the fruit of Bentley’s personal life reveals he was not ready for the level of public ministry he received and that he should never have been commissioned in an internationally televised ‘apostolic alignment commissioning service.’ Stepping down is an appropriate move in the right direction. Our concern is not only for the Bentleys, but the thousands of people around the world who are questioning everything they saw on God TV from the meetings at the Lakeland Revival. A lot of healing is going to be needed in the days ahead and many questions answered.”

No further details are currently available concerning the “unhealthy relationship” however Bentley’s board issued a formal statement:

“Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position…and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life,” FFM’s board said in a published statement. “We are deeply saddened by these recent events, but it hasn’t shaken our faith…” FFM’s board indicated the ministry will continue Bentley’s vision, but did not offer additional details concerning the restoration process or its timeline. Bentley’s leadership team includes Ken Greter, Michael Bullet and Valerie Andres, however it is not clear whether these people including Barbara Rail and Archie Binnie also make up the board of directors.

A review of Bentley’s itinerary reveals he is not attending a previously scheduled “One Night Only Revival” planned for August 16. The “Outpouring in Birmingham, England with Todd Bentley” has also been “postponed.” However, Bentley is still scheduled to minister on September 17 and September 26 at conferences with David Hogan, John Paul Jackson and Ryan Wyatt. Meanwhile DVDs touting “The Best of the Florida Outpouring” are being promoted on Fresh Fire Ministries’ home page.

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Comments (2)

Todd Bentley
written by Dan, November 04, 2008

This article clearly shows that your articles are written by immature so called Christians. I guess noone is ever ready for public misitry because we are all human. I guess we found the one person pure enough to cast the first stone. I am saddended how Christians have turned on Todd. Shame on you. Your are not The Voice but The Attacker.

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todd bentley
written by unknown, September 29, 2008

It greives my spirit that the body of christ has thrown todd bentley out when if you stop and think for a second about the revivial..it was the Holy Spirit who does the healing. Todd is only human. I don't look at man I look at the anointing of God. Now I do not agree with his emotional ties to a woman, but I do understand that only God can move the way He did in Lakeland, fla. I think believers of christ need to pray and ask God the source behind the attach.

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