Multiple, credible, corroborating allegations come against IHOP-KC founder Mike Bickle
Allegations of sexual misconduct and spiritual abuse from credible witnesses came out this weekend against Mike Bickle, the founder of IHOP-KC, a movement of 24-7 prayer and worship in Kansas City. The allegations were brought forth by three former leaders of the IHOP-KC movement who have since left the movement and started their own ministries – Dwayne Roberts, Brian Kim, and Wes Martin. According to their public statement, the allegations are credible, confirmed by multiple sources and are longstanding. A meeting was attempted by the three former leaders with Mike directly, but they were “rebuffed” and denied a meeting according to their public statement.
“A few days ago, we made the leadership team of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) aware of serious allegations spanning several decades concerning its founder, Mike Bickle. Without going into details to protect the privacy of the victims’ identities, we have found these allegations of clergy sexual abuse by Mike Bickle to be credible and long-standing. The credibility of these allegations is not based on any one experience or any one victim, but on the collective and corroborating testimony of the experiences of several victims.”
The statement accuses Bickle of using manipulation and intimidation tactics to discredit his accusers when attempting to meet with his former leadership team and made it clear that the allegations include sexual misconduct that did not honor the marriage covenant.
“To be clear, the allegations made about Mike Sickle’s misconduct were sexual in nature where the marriage covenant was not honored. Furthermore, the allegations made also reveal that Mike Bickle used his position of spiritual authority over the victims to manipulate them.”
The statement continues, “Instead, Mike used manipulating and intimidating tactics towards the victims to isolate them and discredit them. To avoid further wounding of victims, we met with several members of IHOPKC’s Executive Leadership Team. There, we shared testimonies of these victims of Mike’s inappropriate words and actions.”
IHOP-KC current leaders, Stuart Greaves, David Sliker. Lenny La Guardia and Isaac Bennett addressed members of the missions base and prayer movement, saying they are taking the allegations serious and have asked Mike to step aside from the ministry and all functions while the investigation is ongoing. IHOP-KC released this official statement on their X account earlier today:
IHOPKC Leadership Statement at Sunday 11am Service pic.twitter.com/mJxsUpcs1k
— IHOPKC (@ihopkc) October 29, 2023
The IHOP-KC family was encouraged to pray for the Bickle family during this time and to not lose their faith, though this clearly has shaken the community.
Bickle has denied all allegations. As recently as last Sunday, Bickle preached about a coming onslaught of accusations, referencing the “black horse” of the book of Revelation to divide God’s people and cause the betrayal of one another.
Since 1999 IHOP-KC has championed its movement of 24-7 non-stop worship and prayer in the heart of America. Thousands have joined the movement over the last 24 years, raising their own support to be “intercessory missionaries,” devoted to prayer and a fasted lifestyle. Bickle is the founder of IHOP-KC which he started after resigning from the church he started in Kansas City. Originally affiliated with the Vineyard movement, Bickle left the association and became known as an independent charismatic movement affiliated with the NAR – “New Apostolic Reformation” and the restoration of the offices of apostles and prophets. Bickle is the author of several books including his most popular, Passion for Jesus, and The Pleasures of Loving God, among many others.
