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Evangelist Leaving Long-Running Lakeland Revivals

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By NEIL JOHNSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

Todd Bentley, the pierced, tattooed, T-shirted evangelist who has drawn thousands of people and brought international attention to revivals in Lakeland, will end his stint this weekend.

Although he still conducts some of the twice-daily revivals at Ignited Church, where he started the revivals in April, Bentley hasn't been attending every night, said Elesha Greter, a spokeswoman for Fresh Fire Ministries, which is based in Canada. She didn't know which day would be his last.

The stress of the successful "Outpouring" revivals also may have contributed to marital trouble for Bentley and his wife, Shonnah. The couple have separated, the Fresh Fire Ministries board of directors said in a message posted on the ministries Web site.

"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 Web site states.

The Web site adds that the directors do not think the revivals and their success were to blame for the separation.

The revivals began as a five-day visit that mushroomed into events drawing thousands and had to be moved to a baseball stadium.

After outgrowing Ignited Church and a church in Auburndale, the event shifted to The Lakeland Center and drew crowds of thousands. For a time, the revival moved to Joker Marchant Stadium, spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.

The revival's run has attracted attention from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The BBC will send a crew from its program "Around the World in 80 Faiths." The crew hoped for an interview with Bentley but learned late Monday he might not be in Lakeland when it arrives this month.

A spokesman said the BBC crew will proceed with its plans to film what remains of the revival for broadcast in 2009 as part of a series on global faith.

Reporter Michelle Bearden contributed to this report. Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7721 or njohnson@ tampatrib.com.

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