Mike Bickle, who founded the missionary organization House of Prayer (IHOPKC), has been accused of abuse by at least 17 victims. The allegations were made in a report published on February 3rd. The report was published by the investigative firm Firefly but funded by the messianic Jewish group Tikkun Global. When the allegations surfaced in 2023, the pastor admitted to some of the claims but denied the most serious accusations.
“Since the revelation that Mike Bickle, by his own confession, engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, there has been … a cloud of confusion remains over a significant portion of the Charismatic wing of the Body of Believers,” the Jewish group wrote to explain why they commissioned the report. “We want to be very clear: we are not the investigators, and we will not be doing the investigation. We have hired the services of a professional team that has decades of experience.”
While Tikkun Global has taken donations from IHOPKC, they say, “This is not about money but about victims of sexual misconduct, calling leaders to high character standards, and believing God for purification in the Body of Believers.” The report outlines the findings of the investigation. It chronicles both the testimonies of victims and witnesses to Bickle’s actions.
“Bickle, as a pastor and leader, was entrusted with the care of his congregation’s spiritual wellbeing; however, he betrayed this trust by misusing his position of authority to engage in sexual misconduct with multiple victims,” the report reads. “His actions not only violated the sanctity of his role but also caused profound harm to those he was meant to guide and protect.”
The document states, “By considering the combined voices of multiple individuals, the report highlights patterns of abuse, cover-ups, and failures within the leadership.” The report chronicles multiple instances of sexual misconduct going back to the 1970s. He would often send messages to women connected to his organization, such as “My dear one, I don’t want you for what you can do for me…I want you, and I want you for life, for as long as the Lord will give you to me! You’re mine!”
One witness recounted observing “Bickle running his hands up a woman’s leg at another restaurant with a group of people.” The report found that this behavior was a deliberate tactic. “Witnesses would often see Bickle, during church services and prayer meetings, grab girls by their throats, kiss them on their faces, and ruffle their hair. This behavior, masked as innocent affection, was a calculated tactic to desensitize his victims to physical contact.”
Many women report being forced into physical relationships with Bickle and other members of his staff. After the case, the survivors were humiliated in front of their peers. When one victim came forth with her testimony, a staffer told her, “Pull your big girl panties up; you signed up for this.” Despite the nearly 70 pages of evidence, the pastor maintains his innocence.
Watch One Survivor’s Story Here:
In a statement, Mike Bickle wrote, “I sadly admit that 20+ years ago, I sinned by engaging in inappropriate behavior—my moral failures were real. (I am not admitting to the more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting).” Charges have not been filed yet, but given the shocking scope of the allegations, they are no doubt coming soon.
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