The Lakeland Outpouring: Todd Bentley and the "Aggressive Anointing"

1. Violent Manifestations: "Kicking for the Kingdom"

Bentley became infamous for a style of ministry he claimed was directed by "divine impulse," which often involved physical violence against the sick.

• The Incident: During televised services, Bentley was recorded punching, "leg-dropping," and kicking congregants, including an elderly woman whom he claimed to have kicked in the face under the direction of the Holy Spirit for her healing.

• The Justification: Bentley asserted that these were "signs and wonders" that bypassed human logic, similar to the "cessation of the mind" described by Heidi Baker during her seven-day incapacitation in Toronto.

2. The Moral Collapse and the "Mistress" Scandal

At the height of the Lakeland Revival—while being "knighted" and endorsed on stage by top NAR leaders—Bentley’s private life was in turmoil.

• The Departure: Shortly after the revival was declared a global success, it was revealed that Bentley was leaving his wife, Shonnah, for a staff member, Jessa Sparks.

• The Reinstatement: Despite the adultery and subsequent divorce, Bentley was "restored" to ministry in 2010 by Rick Joyner. By 2012, he had married his mistress and introduced her as a partner in his "Fresh Fire" ministry.

• The Pattern: Critics point to this as evidence of a "counterfeit anointing" where supernatural experiences (trips to heaven, body parts rooms) are prioritized over traditional moral and biblical qualifications for leadership.