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.

There are a lot of Christians sad, angry and confused right now. Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley, leader of the Lakeland Florida Revival, announced that he and his wife Shonnah are divorcing.

“It is with considerable sadness then, that we must temper the jubilation we know you all feel with the sobering news that Todd and Shonnah Bentley are presently experiencing significant friction in their relationship and are currently separated,” the statement read.

“We want to affirm that there has been no sexual immorality on the part of either Todd or Shonnah, nor has there ever been. Undoubtedly the pressures and the burden of the Outpouring, which approaches 144 days on August 23rd, have helped to create an atmosphere of fatigue and stress that has exacerbated existing issues in their relationship,” the statement continued.

Peter Wagner, founder of the International Coalition of Apostles, is offering a lengthier statement on Canadian Evangelist Todd Bentley’s break down. The statement reads as follows:

I was in the San Francisco airport on my way to Singapore and Indonesia when the news of Todd Bentley’s separation from his wife became public on August 12. When I arrived back home last week, I found that Doris had received and replied to around 1,700 emails and the stack of correspondence on my desk was unbelievable. It took me the rest of the week to catch up!

During the week I was gone, a major watershed occurred regarding the Lakeland situation as most of you would know. We are now on a new playing field. Lakeland Outpouring I, in which Todd Bentley was the main figure, is now history. Lakeland Outpouring II, in which Stephen Strader of Ignited Church is the main figure, has begun. The Outpouring started in a local church, went to a tent, and now is back in the local church. My suggestion is that we no longer use the term “Lakeland Outpouring” but rather distinguish between Lakeland I and Lakeland II because they are very different.

The recent statement by Fresh Fire Ministries about the marital separation of Todd and Shonnah Bentley has brought a lot of pain and confusion to the Body of Christ, admits Stacy Campbell, who prophesied over Canadian Evangelist Todd Bentley at his apostolic commissioning at what will go down in Christian history as Lakeland Outpouring in Lakeland, Fla.

It is especially confusing because of the manifest miracles and demonstrations of power that have occurred, along with the public endorsement and prophetic blessing given to Todd only a month and a half before his separation from his wife, Shonnah.

I gave Todd Bentley a public prophetic word, which was broadcast around the world through GodTV.  The essence of the word was as follows:  “There is a generation that the Lord has spoken to me about that will operate in both the gifts/anointing of the Holy Spirit and the glory of God at the same time.”

(You can view the prophecy on YouTube click here.)

Although this is potential for every generation, the Lord highlighted to me 20 years ago that I was to help build and prepare a coming generation that He would pour His Spirit out on in a distinct way for national transformation. Biblically, there are certain “fullness of time” purposes on certain generations. As well, we see from Church history that there are different times and seasons where  “God comes close” and that generation sees a marked increase in revival and signs and wonders. I believe it is God’s will for every generation to attain fullness and labour for God’s kingdom “on earth just as it is in heaven;” however, I recognize that this does not always manifest on earth.

I prophesied publicly on GodTV that Todd Bentley would be a “first fruits” of a generation that would walk both in the anointing and the glory of God. I would like to acknowledge, that although Todd Bentley began his ministry this way, he has not finished his race this way. Miracles are an expression of the glory of God (John 11:40). However, the primary purpose of the glory of God is to make us one (John 17:22).  And marriage is the primary earthly expression of oneness (Ephesians 5:31-32).  Separation from his wife is evidence that the glory of God is not currently operating in Todd Bentley’s ministry.

Many people question how the gifts of the Holy Spirit can operate separate from the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  We know from the Bible that this is a possibility. As far as I understand, everything that has transpired regarding their decision to separate took place from the day of the commissioning onwards. Very similar to Acts 4:30-5:10, in the middle of “great power” and “great grace” and the Church having “all things in common,” Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). It is possible for believers to sin in the middle of great power. Even more revealing, after a great victory, Satan incited David to number the people (1 Chronicles 21:1), thus bringing the whole nation of Israel under judgment.  We know also from the Bible that great men of God (Moses, David, Peter, etc.) committed great sins (ranging from anger and denial of Christ to murder and adultery), all the while serving God sincerely. Abraham stumbled mid-journey through unbelief and was then able to recover and fulfill his destiny. Knowing this, I would like to call on the Body of Christ to manifest what Todd & Shanna Bentley are not yet able to manifest – the glory of God.

When Moses asked to see the glory of God (Exodus 33:18), what God showed him was His nature (Exodus 34:5-7): His compassion, mercy, forgiveness, etc…  This is not the time to throw stones. This is a time for compassion to stand in the gap for the Bentley’s marriage. This is a time for prayer, not gossip.  We are to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15).  When a leader of the Body of Christ falls, we are all affected by their fall, whether it is Ted Haggard, Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart, Paula White, Juanita Bynum or whomever.  Similarly, when a leader succeeds we are all strengthened.

In summary, I believe that it is God’s will for Todd Bentley to walk in the glory of God. I acknowledge that he is not doing that at this time. Perhaps the intercession of the Church could call him back into his destiny.

I am truly sorry for any confusion my prophecy may have brought to the Body of Christ. I am fully aware that Todd is not walking in this prophetic call. I do believe, however, that the potential is still there for the glory of God to manifest, not only in Todd and Shonnah Bentley’s marriage, but also in all of us who are saved through faith in the blood of Christ.  May we all increase in glory, which will be manifested in unity (John 17:22).

Stacey Campbell

Jennifer LeClaire is the editor of The Voice magazine and author of "Doubtless: Faith that Overcomes the World." You can also visit her online at www.jenniferleclaire.org.

Was excessive drinking another reason evangelist Todd Bentley, leader of the Lakeland Florida Revival, stepped down and will divorce wife Shonnah?

On August 15th the board of directors of Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries (FFM) said there was an “unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff.” C. Peter Wagner, California pastors’ Che Ahn, Bill Johnson and others commissioned and prophesied to Bentley in a televised service by God TV and offered “apostolic oversight” to the Lakeland Revival. Events have proven the oversight came to late to save the ‘Florida outpouring’ and Bentley stepped down.

Now The Voice magazine has learned that “excessive drinking” may also have been involved. In a letter to ministry partners John Arnott, founder of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship and member of Wagner’s International Coalition of Apostles wrote, “Further it has now come out that there has been some inappropriate behavior, both with excessive drinking and also with a female member of his staff.”

Sadly this story continues to develop.