Evangelist Bentley and wife separate

Todd Bentley, the flamboyant ex-biker from B.C. who has been leading a massive Pentecostal revival in Lakeland, Florida since early April is separating from his wife and returning to Canada. Bentley and his wife, who have reportedly been undergoing marital counselling, announced in August they are legally separating. Lynne Breidenbach, who resigned as media spokesperson for Bentley, called the separation “very sad” and told The Lakeland Ledger, “God uses fallen, flawed people… This doesn’t invalidate what Todd did.” Appearances of Bentley scheduled for September in England appear to have been postponed.

The Florida Outpouring has drawn huge publicity, crowds of up to 10,000 and reported miraculous healings.
(The Lakeland Ledger)

Ten Thousand villages gets new CEO

Canada’s largest fair trade organization has a new CEO. Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee that works to sell the work of artisans for fair prices in North America, has hired Dan Weare as CEO. Weare has experience in retail working for Sears Canada, developing a chain of stores. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans in 36 developing countries and is a member of the International Fair Trade Association. (www.tenthousandvillages.ca)

Campusfire joins Billy Graham Association

Campusfire youth ministry is now operating under the umbrella of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEAC). Campusfire joined BGEAC to allow it to continue focusing on its work, with the resource support of a larger organization. Ministry program manager Darian Kovacs will continue in his work with Campusfire as an employee of (BGEAC). Campusfire organizes an annual Canadian Youth Workers Conference. (www.campusfire.ca)

Catholic TV network wins award

DAYTON, OH—The Catholic television network, Salt + Light TV is the winner of the 2008 Gabriel Award for television station of the year. The award is given annually by the Catholic Academy for Communications Arts Professionals for “outstanding artistic achievement in a television or radio program or series which entertains and enriches with a true vision of humanity and a true vision of life.” Salt + Light was founded in 2003 and offers Catholic content on Bell ExpressVu nationally and other channels. It can also be viewed at www.saltandlighttv.org. (www.saltandlighttv.org)