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Offbeat Evangelist Seeking Counseling

Tribune file photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Todd Bentley drew thousands to a series of summer revivals in Lakeland.

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: December 3, 2008

TAMPA - Todd Bentley, an atypical evangelist who drew thousands to a series of summer revivals in Lakeland, plans to divorce his wife amid revelations that he is romantically involved with the nanny of his children, according to his ministry.

Rumors of an extramarital affair surfaced near the end of the 15-week revival, and, in August, Bentley resigned from the board of directors of Fresh Fire Ministries. He plans to move to South Carolina, where he will undergo counseling by ministers who are focusing on his "restoration," according to a statement on the ministry's Web site last week.

Bentley is resolute in seeking a divorce from his wife, Shonnah, amid "his increased familiarity with a female staff member" during the revival in Lakeland, the letter states. "Todd admits to being 100 percent responsible for the divorce.

"With the development of more friction in his marriage relationship, Todd began to make irrational decisions," the letter states. "Alcohol, movies and leisure time spent with a few of the younger, more impressionable members of his staff and road-crew began to replace the hours of soaking in the presence of God in which Todd had engaged during the early days of the Outpouring."

The tattooed and body-pierced preacher has not seen his estranged wife or his children since July.

"To our knowledge," the letter states, "Todd's relationship with the female staff-member, who was a former intern and also, at his initiative, a live-in nanny in his house for over a year, is still ongoing."

The ministry hopes the Bentleys will reconcile.

"We believe that there are currently no biblical grounds for Todd to leave his wife and children," the letter states.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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