Polk County News | Photos | Breaking News

‘Florida Outpouring’ Floods Lakeland Center

Posted Apr 30, 2008 by Billy Townsend

Updated Apr 30, 2008 at 07:41 AM

This is Todd Bentley, the tattooed, body-pierced drug-addict-turned-televangelist. I’m working on a larger story about the monthlong revival and string of “healing” services that have made Lakeland the center of the Pentecostal world. Say what you want, but people are voting with their feet. The meetings have outgrown Ignited Church in Lakeland, the former Without Walls sanctuary in Auburndale and nearly are filling the Lakeland Center arena.

On Tuesday night, about 5,000 people filled the floor and about two-thirds of the seating in the building. Bentley and others said the crowd the night before was larger.

The healing is ambiguous at best. Bentley calls out to the crowd about ailments God has shown him. People who say they’re suffering from them come forward. Bentley lays hands. People say they feel better. There is no rigorous checking and verification of what happens. But spectators don’t seem in the mood for skepticism. And it’s not just healing. During Monday night’s service, Bentley prayed for debt forgiveness for the spectators.

Driven by the Pentecostal blogosphere (there is such a thing), live-streaming on Bentley’s Web site and a new satellite network called GodTV, the Lakeland revival has become a force. And people are coming from all over. I saw or talked to people from Ohio, Atlanta, Omaha, Neb., and Los Angeles - as well as Lakeland and other Polk County cities. Bentley and company are considering moving the revival again - to Joker Marchant Stadium - for the weekend.

Here’s a gallery of additional photos.