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.
Bickle, 68, has been accused of sexual misconduct “where the marriage covenant was not honored,” according to a statement released Saturday from a group of former IHOPKC leaders who investigated the claims.
They said, though they were initially shocked, they found the allegations credible based on the “collective and corroborating testimony” of “several victims.”
Bickle’s charismatic megachurch—which has offered round-the-clock prayer and worship since its founding in 1999—was informed of the allegations on Friday, according to The Kansas City Star, which obtained a recording of the announcement.
Stuart Greaves, executive director at IHOPKC, told staff that the leadership team is “taking the situation very seriously.”
The leaders who released the statement—former executive leadership team and board members Dwane Roberts and Brian Kim, along with former Forerunner Christian Fellowship pastor Wes Martin—said 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.
The Kansas City Star reported that Bickle preached on false allegations last Sunday.
In the sermon, he discussed how, per Revelation 12:10, “Satan’s most effective weapon in the end times is accusation” and he turns “whispered innuendoes into hostile accusations that destroy lives and relationships,” according to sermon notes linked by The Roys Report.
Bickle also said that “the 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.”
Greaves referenced the line from his sermon during the announcement to staff, saying, “We ask that we not make reference to the ‘black horse’ 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.”
Bickle agreed to pause from preaching and teaching while the church engages “outside parties to assess and arbitrate the allegation,” IHOPKC leaders announced during Sunday’s service and on social media.
The leaders who investigated the allegations against Bickle said they believe his actions “fall short of biblical standards for leaders in the church” and include Bickle’s use of spiritual authority to manipulate victims.
