Posted on 10/30/2023 6:02:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
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.
megachurch............There’s that word again..................
I like the German pancakes rolled up with butter, lemon and confectioners sugar.
We had pancakes and sausages for dinner last night. Used the Krusteze pancake mix.
Tenderloin Tips with eggs, hash browns and I sub plain crepes for the pancakes
At least its good to see that they are not trying to sweep it under rug.
Waffle House ping....Oh, wait.
But it sounds like he’s flipped
Wilbert Harrison...............I saw him in concert with Credence Clearwater Revival.................back in the day.............
Cool! 😎
I guess every IHOP leaves you a little sticky.
I make a pretty mean German pancake. Love that stuff.
As I recall they had 90-minutes of worship alternating with 90-minutes of prayer. The first time was fine and we stayed more than several hours. Some years later we only stayed a few minutes and left.
It’s impressive that this 24-hour prayer/worship cycle was maintained for at least a decade.
Guy hasn’t got a leg to stand on so change the name of the church to IFLOP...
When I was little my dad made Swedish pancakes - thin like crepes but using sour milk for the batter - we would roll them up with strawberry preserves inside (or lingonberry if we had it), then put sour cream on top.
Whenever some milk started to go sour, dad would put it up on top of the refrigerator and let it separate into curds & whey. When we saw that we knew we would be having Swedish pancakes the next weekend. This was before milk was ultra pasteurized, I guess, so it happened pretty often in our large family.
Restaurants like IHOP never had Swedish Pancakes, so I would order German pancakes or French crepes - pretty close but Dad’s Swedish pancakes were much better IMHO.
People need to read and understand Proverbs. Then reread it. Then understand it and apply it.
Too big for their britches charismatic mega-churches are the worst for anyone’s soul.
You have a verse in particular in mind?..................
That’s a very interesting bunch. I’ve met some of them.
There’s a prayer group for government.
There’s a local family planning center in Overland Park. I’ve been told many of the protestors are IHOP members.
From Proverbs 2:1-19 for a start for right living and what to avoid. There are more.
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