Todd Bentley / Fresh Fire Ministries

Todd Bentley news tracker

Todd Bentley is a Canadian preacher with a ”Toronto Blessing”-type ministry.

He works with and/or otherwise promotes false prophets such as Bob Jones and Rick Joyner, as well as such offbeat churches as the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.

The latter is where the so-called ‘Toronto Blessing’ began. The movement is characterized by a plethora of false teachings and unbiblical practices — encouraged and promoted by alleged ‘words,’ ‘prophecies’ and ‘visions’ from God, and accompanied by anything from outbreaks of uncontrollable laughter, people acting as if they were drunk, and claims of having received gold dust or other ‘supernatural signs’ from God.

‘Gold Dust’ and Other Nonsense

Bentley’s teachings and practices place his ministry squarely among the controversial renewal and revival movements.

His meetings include alleged healings, as well as manifestations such as the appearance of “gold dust,” ”diamond dust,” or even “gold dental miracles“:

Diamond dust manifestations of God’s presence have appeared in meetings led by Evangelists Todd Bentley in Canada and Ian Turton in Australia. There have been other places where they have appeared also, but it seems that they are not as commonplace as the gold dust and gold dental miracles. According to Todd, they look like fine sparkly ” ground glass”, reflecting light in beautiful colors.
– Source: Message posted on the pro-Toronto Blessing New Wine mailing list (item on file), Feb. 16, 2000

After worship and after some people having experiencing a mist and a dew Gold dust began to appear on evangelist Todd Bentleys hands. “Look, theres gold” he shouted.

Soon others began to see gold on there hands and faces.

It wasn’t long and he began to pray for people who needed fillings. Seven people received Gold teeth last night.

One lady was standing at the front and while waiting to be prayed for received five gold teeth in a row. Not just filled, but buldging with Gold.

People were being healed in there seats, others heard the instruments prophesy in an audible voice, over the two nights there were salvations and more healings.
– Source: Message posted on the pro-Toronto Blessing New Wine mailing list (item on file), March 22, 1999

Alleged Healings and Miracles

Following what he declares are promptings from God, Mr. Bentley calls up sick audience members and prays for their healing. But as his renown as a faith healer grows, Christians and non-Christians alike are warning that, in the world of faith healing, what you think you see is often not what you get.
[…]

Interestingly, Mr. Bentley avoids actually pronouncing people healed, and urges those with whom he has come into contact to work with their doctors. He does not keep a tally of his healings, but says about 20% involve something visible and 80% something internal, including “inner healings” of emotions, guilt and fear. As for proof, his ministry has only a halfdozen or so noncommittal notes from doctors about the disappearance of their patients’ symptoms.
– Source: Report Newsmagazine, Mar. 5, 2001