TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Lakeland Revival Searches For Semi-Permanent Home
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: May 2, 2008
LAKELAND - The "Florida Outpouring's" move to the Lakeland Tigers spring training stadium will be short-lived, organizers say.
And the search is on for a semi-permanent home.
The event, which has drawn thousands of people to Lakeland to participate in evangelist Todd Bentley's healing services, had to leave the Lakeland Center on Friday because the arena was pre-booked for the weekend.
Joker Marchant Stadium was the only viable short-term option to accommodate the crowds that have been coming, organizers said.
But the baseball stadium is not particularly conducive to the highly interactive services Bentley has been officiating, said Pastor Stephen Strader of Lakeland's Ignited Church, where Bentley's now monthlong revival started in early April.
Strader said Lakeland parks officials don't want service-goers on the manicured grass of the baseball stadium, which also hosts the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league team.
Strader said he wasn't sure exactly how the logistics of the service at Marchant Stadium would work. He said he would simply trust in God to make it work.
Bentley, 32, calls out to the crowds with "visions" of the injuries and ills that some among them are suffering. People with those ills then come to the stage for healing.
The revival will return to the Lakeland Center from Monday through Thursday of next week.
"Bu after that, we're homeless," said Lynne Breidenbach, a spokeswoman for Strader. Finding a venue for the services, which brought 5,000 or more people to the Lakeland Center each night this week, is a challenge.
"It's hard finding a place with 10,000 seats," said Breidenbach. She noted that revival organizers contacted the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, but found that it was also booked.
Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)
* Keep it clean
* Respect others
* Don't hate
* Don't use language you wouldn't use with your mom
* Use "Report Inappropriate Comments" link when necessary
* See Member Agreement for details
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Posted by ( dianneb ) on May 2, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm not surprised at the amount off people that mock the things of God. His word says if you don't know Him you surely will not understand what He does. For those of us who do know Him, He promised us a pouring out of His Spirit. And that we could expect healings and blessing of which we never thought we could ask for. So, I as one believer am excited about what is going on in Florida, I live in Oregon and expect much. I'm watching on the web with no sound and being blessed. That is the God I know.I agree with one comment that said "GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED"
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( kimbo ) on May 2, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
NOT IN MY BACKYARD
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Old_FL_Crab ) on May 2, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
IRAQ ?
.
@dianneb, y'all got 10,000 seat arena up there? Please? Old Rawhide theme song, "Head 'em up, move 'em out."
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( GF ) on May 3, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
bolador posted this on another similar story, and I found it to be relevant:
"This gentleman, Mr. Bentley, needs to go to St. Jude's Childrens hospital. There are alot of wonderful, trusting, needing kids there. Think of the healing that he could accomplish in just one day."
But then again, the offering plate wouldn't fill up very fast.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Shilo ) on May 4, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey GF...You're a moron.
Report Inappropriate Comments