ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia—Todd Bentley, the Canadian revivalist whose tactics drew protest, has resigned from public ministry after acknowledging an “unhealthy relationship on an emotional level” with a female staff member.

The board of Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries announced the resignation last Friday, saying the pastor has agreed to “receive counsel in his personal life.” Days earlier, the board of directors had said that Bentley, 32, and his wife Shonnah had separated.

Bentley, tattooed on the fingers and neck, has drawn international attention for leading his raucous revival meeting in Lakeland, Fla. He claims to have performed mass healings. But opponents noted that his approach has sometimes been violent. In once instance, Bentley kneed a supposed terminal stomach cancer patient in the abdomen saying God told him to.

Critics also say Bentley rarely opens a Bible or sermonizes about Jesus Christ.