Leaders of the International House of Prayer, an influential charismatic evangelical prayer and mission group primarily based in Kansas City, introduced Friday that they’ve lower ties with founder Mike Bickle.
In late October, a gaggle of former IHOPKC leaders accused Bickle of a sample of alleged clergy sexual misconduct. Earlier in December, Bickle admitted some previous misconduct however stated that most of the allegations in opposition to him had been false.
“With a very heavy heart I want to express how deeply grieved I am that my past sins have led to so much pain, confusion, and division in the body of Christ in this hour,” Bickle stated in a web-based assertion. “I sadly admit that 20+ years ago, I sinned by engaging in inappropriate behavior—my moral failures were real.”
On Friday, IHOPKC introduced that Bickle was now not a part of the group.
“Since taking over management of the crisis, the Executive Committee has received new information to now confirm a level of inappropriate behavior on the part of Mike Bickle that requires IHOPKC to immediately formally and permanently separate from him,” stated spokesman and disaster administration advisor Eric Volz in a video posted on YouTube.
Volz stated that IHOPKC leaders didn’t have permission to share particulars about Bickle’s alleged misconduct, solely saying an investigation into allegations in opposition to him is in course of.
The spokesman additionally introduced that Stuart Greaves, govt director of IHOPKC, had resigned, with out giving any purpose for why he had executed so.
Bickle has lengthy been an influential determine in charismatic Christian circles. An early chief within the Vineyard motion, he break up with the group within the Nineties over theology and clashes with its founder, John Wimber, and different leaders. Bickle is probably greatest identified for founding IHOPKC, which started holding round the clock prayer seven days per week in 1999 and later grew to become a missionary motion.
Bickle has additionally been a frontrunner within the New Apostolic Reformation, which stresses the thought the church ought to be led by modern-day prophets and apostles.
IHOPKC leaders launched an preliminary report in November casting doubt on the allegations in opposition to Bickle, primarily based on an inside evaluate. But Volz introduced earlier this month that IHOPKC had employed the Lathrop Group to research additional. IHOPKC, which is paying for the evaluate and signed the contract with the Lathrop Group, says the investigation is unbiased.
Volz stated the choice to chop ties with Bickle exhibits why an unbiased investigation is required. He additionally stated IHOPKC leaders have pledged to “implement any and all changes necessary to church policies, procedures, and culture to ensure that IHOPKC does not travel down this difficult road again.”
Advocates for alleged survivors of abuse, together with lawyer Boz Tchividjian, say they need the reality concerning the allegations however are skeptical that the Lathrop Group investigation shall be unbiased. They cite an announcement on the agency’s web site that boasts of its work to defend spiritual teams coping with abuse allegations.
Meanwhile, CT reported this month how the allegations in opposition to Bickle have shaken evangelicals in Brazil, the place he and his prayer motion have a big following, and compelled a dialog on how Brazilian church buildings deal with abuse.
