\n<\/p>\n
Mike Bickle, the founder of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC), is facing allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse spanning decades and involving multiple women.<\/p>\n
Bickle, 68, has been accused of sexual misconduct \u201cwhere the marriage covenant was not honored,\u201d according to a statement<\/a> released Saturday from a group of former IHOPKC leaders who investigated the claims.<\/p>\n They said, though they were initially shocked, they found the allegations credible based on the \u201ccollective and corroborating testimony\u201d of \u201cseveral victims.\u201d<\/p>\n Bickle\u2019s charismatic megachurch\u2014which has offered round-the-clock prayer and worship since its founding in 1999\u2014was informed of the allegations on Friday, according to The Kansas City Star<\/em><\/a>, which obtained a recording of the announcement.<\/p>\n Stuart Greaves, executive director at IHOPKC, told staff that the leadership team is \u201ctaking the situation very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n The leaders who released the statement\u2014former executive leadership team and board members Dwane Roberts and Brian Kim, along with former Forerunner Christian Fellowship pastor Wes Martin\u2014said they first attempted to bring the allegations directly to Bickle, as the Bible instructs in Matthew 18. They said Bickle refused to meet with them and then tried to intimidate and discredit the victims.<\/p>\n The Kansas City Star<\/em> reported that Bickle preached on false allegations last Sunday.<\/p>\n In the sermon, he discussed how, per Revelation 12:10, \u201cSatan\u2019s most effective weapon in the end times is accusation\u201d and he turns \u201cwhispered innuendoes into hostile accusations that destroy lives and relationships,\u201d according to sermon notes<\/a> linked by The Roys Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bickle also said that \u201cthe church is approaching the most glorious and challenging hour in history with the dragon (black horse) breathing on many to accuse and betray each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Greaves referenced the line from his sermon during the announcement to staff, saying, \u201cWe ask that we not make reference to the \u2018black horse\u2019 in this situation, as a way of minimizing the pain of those affected. Our primary concern is for those who are suffering pain and trauma, our spiritual family, Mike and Diane, as well as the Bickle family.\u201d<\/p>\n The leaders who investigated the allegations against Bickle said they believe his actions \u201cfall short of biblical standards for leaders in the church\u201d and include Bickle\u2019s use of spiritual authority to manipulate victims. Their statement said the women who came forward \u201chad nothing to gain by sharing their experience except the pursuit of truth, repentance, mercy, and grace.\u201d<\/p>\n They said<\/a> Bickle, who has not responded publicly to the recent reports, denied all allegations.<\/p>\n Bickle began his ministry as a pastor in Kansas City in the 1980s and 1990s; his church left the Vineyard<\/a> denomination in the mid-90s as Bickle grew more charismatic and began to hold different views on prophesy and intercession. At the time, Bickle had been affiliated with local \u201cprophets\u201d including Paul Cain and Bob Jones. (Both ended up in scandal: Jones<\/a>\u2014no relation to the university\u2014went on to admit to sexual misconduct and spiritual abuse, and Cain<\/a> was disciplined over homosexual behavior and alcoholism.)<\/p>\n At IHOPKC, Bickle emphasizes fasting, prophesy, the spiritual realm, and the end times. Some consider his ministry a part of the new charismatics<\/a>, though he has rejected the \u201cNew Apostolic Reformation\u201d label. He appeared<\/a> on Charisma\u2019s Strang Report<\/em> earlier this month to share a prophetic word regarding the war in Israel, and earlier this year held a fast<\/a> for the \u201csalvation of Israel,\u201d which Bickle says will bring about the Second Coming.<\/p>\n Staff at IHOPKC number around 2,000, all full-time missionaries who raise their own support, according to the ministry website<\/a>. During the announcement from IHOPKC leadership, some called for more transparency, saying \u201cthere is more to be shared,\u201d The Kansas City Star<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Roberts, one of the authors of the statement, now leads the Florian\u00f3polis House of Prayer in Brazil. His church announced that it is distancing itself from Bickle for the time being.<\/p>\n \u201cOur cry and prayer is that we will be strong and not allow these events to shake our faith, or discourage our hearts, in the journey of raising up a church that prays and waits for the return of the Bridegroom,\u201d the church wrote<\/a> [in Portuguese]. \u201cWe are committed to complete transparency and the Truth and will share more information as the facts are clarified.\u201d<\/p>\n Some former IHOPKC members have said the church was coercive and cult-like; the church has stated that it\u2019s elder-led, has checks in place for leaders, and is committed to safety against sexual, emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse.<\/p>\n More than a decade ago, the International House of Prayer came under scrutiny after sexual assault and murder<\/a> took place among a group of students who had formed their own \u201creligious community.\u201d It was also sued<\/a> by IHOP for trademark infringement.<\/p>\n