Allegations Against Bickle
Allegations Against Bickle
The International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) and its founder, Mike Bickle, have been at the center of several allegations over the years. These allegations range from sexual misconduct to covering up rape. This section aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these allegations, their implications, and the responses from Bickle and IHOPKC.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Mike Bickle
Mike Bickle, the founder of IHOPKC, has faced allegations of sexual misconduct spanning several decades. These allegations were made public in October 2023. Bickle admitted to some “moral failures” but denied “more intense sexual activities”. IHOPKC cut all ties with Bickle after concluding the accusations were true.
The allegations against Bickle were first made public in an open letter published by three former senior IHOPKC executives. They claimed to have spoken with several victims of Bickle who shared corroborating testimony of “clergy sexual abuse” and “inappropriate words and actions”. The letter accused Bickle of not “honouring” his marriage covenant and using spiritual authority to manipulate others. The victims wished to remain anonymous, but the executives decided to go public with the allegations after a private approach to Bickle had been rebuffed.
In response to these allegations, IHOPKC initially cast doubt on the accusations. However, after receiving new information, the organization announced just days before Christmas 2023 that it had confirmed the allegations against Bickle and would “immediately, formally and permanently separate from him”.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
One of the most damning allegations against Bickle came from a woman in Michigan who claimed that Bickle sexually abused her starting when she was 14, which would have been before he formed the Kansas City ministry. These are the first claims that involve sexual abuse of a minor.
Allegations of Covering Up Rape
IHOPKC disputed an allegation that its Executive Director, Stuart Greaves, pressured a woman not to go to the police about an alleged rape. The allegation, dating from 2014, was included in an article published by The Roys Report. IHOPKC released screenshots of portions of an email thread from 2018—four years after the alleged rape—in an attempt to dispute the woman’s story.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations Within IHOP KC
A 2019 third-party report highlighted concerns with specific incidents of alleged sexual misconduct reportedly committed by individuals associated with IHOPKC. The report investigated sexual misconduct allegations against a single staff member of IHOPKC, Brad Tebbutt, who applied to the ministry in 2012 as an intern and eventually rose into leadership positions within the IHOPKC ministry.
Conclusion
These allegations have undoubtedly cast a shadow over Bickle’s legacy and the IHOPKC community. It’s important to note that these are allegations, and the legal principle of “innocent until proven guilty” should be respected. For more detailed information, you may want to refer to the sources provided.