International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC) founder Mike Bickle has admitted to “inappropriate behavior” and “moral failures” that took place more than 20 years ago, but he says the allegations The sexual abuse that emerged against him this fall is false.
Bickle publicly addressed the recent abuse allegations for the first time on Tuesday, saying he had repented of his “past sins,” apologizing for how the situation had affected his family and ministry, and asking to his supporters not to defend him online.
“Some may ask why am I making a public statement now, more than 20 years later? This is because I have recently been confronted with things I said or did over 20 years ago – things I believed had been settled and under the blood of Jesus,” he said. writing. “Since this has become public, I want to publicly repent. »
A group of former IHOPKC leaders released a statement in October, saying Bickle had been accused of sexual misconduct “when the marriage covenant was breached” and that they had heard corroborating testimony from “multiple victims.” In The Roys report last week, a woman alleged that Bickle sexually assaulted her while she was an intern at IHOPKC 27 years ago.
Bickle has been on leave from the department since Oct. 26 while IHOPKC leaders investigated the allegations. Sunday, after weeks of back and forth, the church announcement a third-party investigation. Bickle said he wrote a statement on Oct. 28, but was advised by his legal counsel to wait.
Bickle, 68, did not describe his past “inappropriate behavior” except to say he did not admit to the “more intense sexual activities that some suggest.” He also spoke of “false allegations” of sexual abuse.
He said he had previously “repented quickly and sincerely,” although he was still sad about his sin.
Earlier this fall, a group of former IHOPKC leaders – referred to by the department as the “advocacy group” – became aware of allegations against Bickle spanning decades.
Dwane Roberts and Brian Kim, who had previously served on the IHOPKC leadership team and board of directors, as well as Wes Martin, former pastor of Forerunner Christian Fellowship, said they attempted to meet with him directly, then raised their concerns with IHOPKC leaders when he refused.
Leaders calling for transparency and accountability from IHOPKC say Bickle’s admissions of “inappropriate behavior” fall short.
“That’s a fraction of what Mike is really guilty of,” said preacher Joel Richardson. job. “It’s nothing more than a public relations move.”
IHOPKC has recruited a new spokesperson, Eric Volz, from the international crisis resources agency. David House. Volz called Bickle’s statement a “step in the right direction” and said“We clearly have two sides to this story and that is 100% why we need an independent, third-party investigation.”
Bickle is a major figure in charismatic Christianity, and his prayer movement has sparked hundreds of “houses of prayer” around the world. In Brazil, the House of Prayer of Florianópolis was the first church to distance itself from Bickle during the investigation.
Bickle referenced social media debates and online mistrust surrounding the allegations. He advised his family and friends not to defend him and not to insult his detractors. “I trust that the Lord will speak what He sees and says about me in due time,” he said.
IHOPKC sharing Tuesday’s social media statement told followers: “Please continue to pray…”
Bickle plans to refrain from public ministry for an “extended season” and possibly indefinitely.
“I see this as God’s ‘delayed’ loving discipline on my life (Hebrews 12:6, 11). I will look to other leaders to determine how long this season will last – it could be long and it could even be permanent,” the letter states. “I will only recommit to my preaching ministry if God confirms it through others. »
