(OPINION) Worship leader and activist missionary Sean Feucht has publicly addressed allegations of financial, spiritual, and moral misconduct leveled against him by former associates of his ministries, dismissing the claims as a form of “spiritual warfare.”

The accusations, which surfaced in early June 2025, were detailed on a website called “Truth and Freedom Stories,” created by former employees and volunteers who called for Feucht’s removal from leadership roles due to alleged ethical and financial improprieties

Sean Feucht, a former worship leader with Bethel Music and founder of multiple ministries, including Burn 24/7, Let Us Worship, Light a Candle, and Sean Feucht Ministries, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for organizing “Let Us Worship” rallies in defiance of lockdown restrictions.

These events, often framed as spiritual and political protests, garnered both support and criticism, with some praising Feucht’s boldness and others labeling the gatherings as potential super-spreader events.

On June 3, 2025, a coalition of former ministry workers, including Christy Gafford (former USA National Director/Global Communications Director for Burn 24/7), Peter and Amanda Hartzell, Liam Bernhard, and Richie Booth, published a detailed report accusing Feucht of longstanding patterns of misconduct. The allegations include:

• Financial Impropriety: Claims of donation diversion, misuse of ministry credit cards for personal expenses, and failure to pay staff minimum wage. The group highlighted a $5.3 million revenue increase in Feucht’s ministries in 2020 and questioned the reclassification of one ministry as a church in 2022, which reduced financial reporting requirements.

• Spiritual and Emotional Abuse: Accusations of manipulation, gaslighting, and coercion, with former staff reporting a culture of fear and retaliation against critics.

• Real Estate Concerns: Allegations that Feucht owns multiple high-value properties, including a $3.7 million California property, which critics argue is inconsistent with his role as a nonprofit leader.

The accusers, citing firsthand experiences, called for an independent investigation into Feucht’s financial practices and governance, urging his removal from leadership to uphold “biblical accountability, transparency, and justice.”

After more than a week of silence, Feucht addressed the allegations in a YouTube video posted on June 10, 2025, framing them as a “demonic smear campaign” and an example of spiritual warfare.

He stated that his natural inclination was to respond immediately but was advised by attorneys and spiritual mentors to exercise restraint. Feucht emphasized the integrity of his ministries’ financial oversight, claiming, “We have incredible accountants. We have an incredible board. We have incredible oversight.”

Feucht initially described his accusers as “angry former volunteers” but later acknowledged them as former employees, asserting that some were dismissed due to their own moral failings.

He suggested that many allegations stemmed from interactions dating back 10 to 15 years and involved individuals he had met only briefly.

In a separate social media post, Feucht appeared to indirectly address the controversy, writing about the “spirit of offense” and the importance of forgiveness, stating, “Life is too short to live in constant offense.”