Lakeland Revival
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The Florida Healing Outpouring is a Christian revival currently occurring in Lakeland, Florida. It began on April 3, 2008 from a conference run by Ignited Church, when they invited Todd Bentley to minister, but meetings continued daily (now about 54 days as of 24th May). Revival Meetings have been planned 'indefinitely'.
Many people attending or watching via TV or the internet have claimed miraculous healings, and as of May 24th, 14 people have claimed to be raised from the dead. [1]
International satellite TV station God TV has begun providing many hours of live coverage plus segments recorded earlier.
Media reports
The Ledger newspaper [2]in Lakeland, Florida recently wrote of the revival on April 25, 2008 “The revival has become something of a phenomenon in Pentecostal circles worldwide, thanks to streaming video of the services on the Web site God TV [1]. People have been driving to Lakeland from other cities and states and even flying in from other countries just to attend the services.”
Tampa Bay News (WTSP Channel 10) also recently visited the revival, with the news reporter Melanie Brooks actually appearing on stage (much to Bentley's surprise) with a testimony of healing from a migraine headache she was experiencing only minutes before, including nausea now gone. An article appeared on their website[3] and a televised report was broadcast [2] in late April, 2008, discussing the rapid growth of attendees from all over the world.
MyFox News [4] in an article entitled "Modern-day revival catches fire Lakeland" reports that revival meetings intended for just a couple of days have gotten so large, the revival is expected to continue for at least another month.
The Province,[5]a newspaper closer to his hometown, ran a multiple page article titled “In Search of a Miracle” discussing large numbers of people showing up “The lineups often stretch down the street. Hundreds of people, waiting for a miracle.”, and briefly discusses claims of healing that have yet to be substantiated (this current phenomenon is fairly new) and people's hunger and desire for more “spiritual stimulus”.
Tampa Bay Online, an NBC affiliate [6] also followed up with a televised article on the phenomenon, as well as an indepth interview of 15 minutes talking of the large numbers being reached by mass media,and a claim of a totally blind man being healed as well as claiming documented healings taking place. Bentley refers to people being hungry for the Supernatural like never before, citing Oprah Winfrey's show having a segment dedicated to just such interests. [7]
Tampa Bay Online, an NBC affiliate gave the following report: [8]
Dothan Eagle Online,[9] discusses national attention being directed towards Lakeland, but not without its detractors. Hank Hanegraaf, host of the "Bible Answer Man" program states: "That's when they start thinking God has abandoned them or doesn't love them," Hanegraaff said. "The vast majority of what is claimed to happen in these revivals …doesn't happen."
References
- ^ "Ignited Church Blog". Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ "Faith-Healing 'Outpouring' Overflows Venue". The Ledger NewsPaper. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "Revival Healings". Tampa Bay News. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "Modern-day revival catches fire Lakeland". Fox News. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "In Search of a Miracle". The Province Newspaper. 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "Todd Bentley". Tampa Bay Tribune. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- ^ "Todd Bentley Interview". Tampa Bay Tribune. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
- ^ "Todd Bentley Interview". Tampa Bay Tribune. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Todd Bentley Interview". Tampa Bay Tribune. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
External links
- Ignited Church
- God TV - television (and online streaming) coverage of the revival
- Patrol Magazine - "13 People 'Raised From The Dead' in Lakeland, Florida"
- TheDesperate - Latest News - Praise Reports - Prayer Requests
Online video streaming
- UStream - full coverage of all meetings (Flash video), and clips of past highlights
- God TV Online - requires a user registration, only selected coverage
- God TV Windows Media Streams - USA network, Europe network (high and low quality available)