Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring: Recent Christian Revival in Lakeland Attracts International Ministers and Church Leaders

They came from all over the world to meet with other Christ followers to worship, praise and receive a blessing before returning to their own countries. I was there on May 20, 2008 to hear and see the spiritual outpouring headed by Pastor Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries based in Toronto, Canada.

As I did research before my trip from different web sites, I learned that Todd is not your "typical" pastor. He is not the stereotype that so many people think of when they think of a preacher. He gives an exhilarating testimony of the saving grace of Jesus Christ while trapped in a lifestyle of drugs, even while in his drug dealer's trailer. He doesn't "look the part" of a man of God on the outside. His attire is casual most of the time-tee shirts and jeans-and he is covered with tattoos, but on the inside he has been forgiven and healed. In the 1990s revival outpourings similar to the Lakeland Revival took place in Toronto Canada and in Brownsville, Florida, near Pensacola. The Brownsville, Florida revival went on for months and a relative of mine who was there at the time says when she visited year later people were still talking excitedly about the outcome. He makes no claims to have caused anyone to be healed. He just obeys what God tells him to do. He humbly and readily gives God the glory and praise for all that happens. He did not just one day discover that people he prayed for were healed. He sought the Lord and desired to be a part of a healing ministry to so many hurting people and as he stepped out in faith, God imparted to him the ability to help others.