“We are heartbroken to share that we have recently become aware of serious allegations including sexual immorality directed against Mike Bickle, the founder of IHOPKC.”

–Statement by the IHOPKC Leadership Team Regarding Allegations Against Mike Bickle

“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.”

-Kate Shellnutt in Christianity Today article: “International House of Prayer Founder Mike Bickle Accused of Sexual Abuse”

My heart and prayers go out to my friends at IHOPKC as they figure out how to navigate through these difficult times as a community.

This is truly a sad day.

While all of this is allegations at this point, those privy to the information–per news accounts and official statements–indicate that there are multiple creditable witnesses to the alleged clergy sexual abuse committed by Mike Bickle over many years.

While part of me was shocked by this news, another part of me was not.

I remember thinking about this danger when I was down there just this past September. You have all these young, attractive women on mission. I could see this being a potentially dangerous environment for someone who could be tempted to abuse their power to gratify their ego and sexual appetite. In other words, I could see how one could fall morally in such an environment.

This isn’t to say I was thinking this of Mike Bickle in particular. It was simply an observation I sensed about the temptation danger in that environment.

To those who do not understand how this could happen for so long without it going public, I would submit to you that some people are accomplished at living double lives. I know from running his blog and personal experience. Some people can deceive the people closest to them for months and, yes, years. It is sadly very possible.

Another thing, if true–and I have no reason to doubt these witnesses–this is clergy sexual abuse.

These alleged relationships are not “affairs” implying mutual agency and responsibility. It is important to recognize these (alleged) victims were exploited and abused. My heart goes out to them as well as to all those impacted by this alleged abusive behavior.

My hope and prayer in this awful situation is that God will bring about His redemptive purposes. I hope the truth will become clear, and those needing healing would receive that along with a measure of justice.

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*Here’s a statement made by three former senior leaders of IHOPKC: