In light of the current scandal surrounding Mike Bickle and the International House of Prayer, a number of former leaders have sat down to discuss why they have had to get involved in the present situation.
So a guy hangs out with a group of obsessed emotional teen agers, plays footsie, hangs out watching movies at night. Where are all the Men in this place. Where is the other parts of the leadership team. Red flags everwhere, and none of them had the balls to do what.was right. I have a lot of respect for you girls, you both are being very level headed and mentally/spiritually healthy and grounded. I understand trauma and spiritual abuse. And having a leader fall, and hurt people. That happens, but the fact that calling this whole thing out fell to you guys is blowing my mind. It reminds me of the penn state football jerry Sandusky story. How could no one did what was right. I pray for healing for all the victims of this mess.
Chances are, others in leadership are making the same compromises. We had a large church here fall due to a leader. There was definitely a culture of the leaders and staff covering for each other. Although focus started on one leader, it showed that many were guilty, also of financial irregularities.
@@JillCee such a 'same old, same old', yes? time perhaps for the body of christ to live simple lives of love.. knowing love and loving.. and not so much 'church'?
I'm glad that a MAN has pointed this out. I don't know what's going on. This seems to be a recurring theme, & not just IHOPKC. I've been watching online videos about the senior leadership (males) of Mars Hill Church, one of whom said they were "frightened" of Mark Driscoll. They tolerated his abuses towards staff there (bullying etc) , then just put him in an office a little distance from the general populace of them & the others. Eventually he left, possibly guessing he'd finally been rumbled, and would be kicked out. They should have done this, instead, and much sooner. Driscoll also physically assaulted a pastor at an impromptu baptism service because they'd run out of clothing & towels. Driscoll pushed him against a wall, put his hands around his throat & shouted at him that he's rip his head off & defecate down his neck - right in front of everyone! I believe some of the Mars Hill Elders/senior leadership were also present - but NOT one of them went to that pastor's aid. NO ONE did! I don't know if anyone even filmed it on a phone &/or called the police!! WHAT'S going on?! WHY are grown adult men so frightened by one individual, such as Driscoll, Locke, Bickle etc?!?! They demonstrate NO intention of caring properly for the flock, and, to be honest, they're weak, impotent inadequate excuses for manhood and leadership! I appreciate now why some women rise up & take action - because if the men won't, then someone has to! Then they're called 'Jezebel', rebellious etc! If I ever witness a Christian leader assaulting anyone like I've described above, I'd like to think I'd at least film it & call the police, & give a Witness Statement. But WHERE ARE ALL THE REAL MEN? WHY are so many of them so weak and timid? Are they all so feminised, or castrated that they're ONLY 'in touch' with their 'gentler side?!' There are little girls who would have more courage! Are these men suffering from an extremely low sperm count or something, maybe affecting their thinking and emotional responses?! What's going on?!
Dear sisters, Thank you so much for sharing your story. We hope and pray holiness, truth, and healing will prevail for all involved the victims especially! 🙏🥹
I have so much more clarity and respect for the Jane Doe(s) now. When I first heard JD’s story, I knew it was truth. Now I understand her motivation for coming forward. Thank you JD for your bravery. Your sisters are praying for you with understanding, compassion and love.
I appreciate the foot-sie inappropriate stance… but, WHERE is the PROOF of All that’s “DONE IN the DARK” where is the Proof from all of your many victims ( which obviously is a deceptive LIE ) ‼️ Where’s the HORROR STORY … this crap, when it comes to God’s heart is just as wicked as the sexual failures … it’s so SAD that you and yours didn’t learn a higher way to live in all your years in training… ALL that this Accomplishes is feeding A PORNIFIED SPIRIT of THIS WORLD…! “If God Be For YOU ( MIKE BICKLE ) … WHO Can BE AGAINST You..”.
I think it’s time that it’s mandatory that older women, like over 40, chaperone young women congregants, especially students, in all activities with the church or church ministries. I say this because it seems young women are not equipped to defend themselves against this kind of manipulation. Older women mentor the young! Be involved, be a guard. I was saved at 20 yrs old and all the women in my church were 30 or above. This gave me loads of wisdom to draw on for relationships, marriage, and kids and kept creepy guys away.
Essential for young women to be mentored in this, most never really taught much Maybe a few males speak in a controlled setting, simply how men think when they see a woman !❤
This is so needed. Girls need to be taught NOT to be alone with a married man, to say NO as an honor to God, themselves, and their future spouse, and maybe there needs to be a bit more old-fashioned chaperoning. @@laurie9993
Wow!!!.....I respect these Women and Thank them for not only standing for the "Jane Doe's" and Husbands at IHOP alone....These Women are also representing on what is going on Globally within most Evangelical Mega Churches, Ministries, and their Top Leaders....Its February 2024 and we have already seen Major Religious Spiritual Figures having their masks torn off their faces, there are many more to follow, Jesus is coming soon and he is cleaning his church from "Top to Bottom"
As someone who has a traumatic past, as well as, diagnosed with PTSD, you ladies did an amazing job explaining why victims don’t always come forward right away! Praying for you to continually speak for those who are currently voiceless!!
Well said. As someone who has helped others through the traumas of abuse, and specifically spiritual abuse. I completely agree. I told them almost the same thing. I have a lot of respect for these girls. Its tragic that it these women to stand up and force the issue. A bunch of nutless men in that place.
Love you Elizabeth! Thank you for being an advocate for survivors of spiritual abuse and trauma. This is a powerful stance and I solidly stand with you.
I listen to you and feel angry about those consciously and unconsciously defending the dark in IHOPKC. At the same time I'm thankful to God, that He enlighten this situation, He found people, who fights against that kind of darkness. This talking is sensitive, straight, truthful and healing the hearts. God is alive and He is not silent.
Apparently according to you it seems God doesn’t love ppl in the “dark.” He loves the sinner but hates the sin. That’s what we all seem to forget. We are looking at the person and just seeing their sin and not them.
@@sheilaboland6285 We need to be praying for those in the dark as well as the victims. Just because people are in church doesn’t mean they know God. I think that is one thing many forget. Churches as a whole need a wake up call. I am praying for a transformation to happen in the churches where we actually do set the standard. (I have been affected by church abuse, so this is a topic that hits home for me.)
So very thankful for you both!!! It takes so much courage to do what you are doing. I am only one of so many who are looking up to you both and are incredibly inspired by your strength and boldness. Thank you!!
Jennifer, thank you. I'm sitting here crying. God really spoke to me and comforted me through your words.. That God decided it was time for it to come out. My personal story is happening in parallel with this IHOP story. Decades of severe abuse and neglect as a child, all done because of the teachers my dad followed and him being a pastor, is being exposed in my family. My entire life has fallen apart. I had to leave my husband due to his sex addiction, adultery, and abuse of me and his children. I confronted my family on the child abuse happening in my sibling's family, and called CPS. I lost my entire family over standing up to abuse - my husband, stepchildren, mother, father, siblings, best friend, church, nieces and nephews. Even my dogs. I have even had thoughts of suicide at times because it is so painful to be abandoned and all alone. I've been struggling to see how God could allow this, but all these ihopkc advocates speaking out is giving me hope. I've been crying to God why now, why is it all erupting now, why not before all this horror happened. Your words touched my heart. Made me feel that maybe it's because GOD said it's time. Thank you so much for speaking out for the ihopkc victims. Your words go beyond ihopkc to many others like me. So many of us have suffered in silence for decades. All over this country. In so many churches and ministries across all denominations. My heart goes out to the husband in this story. An unfaithful spouse is one of the most excruciating pains there is. It affects every single aspect of your home. And then on top of it, his own spiritual leader was part of it. And on top of that, no one helped him. His church should have taken immediate action to encourage his wife to come back to her own husband. I am praying for him. I'm literally crying for him right now. I don't know him, but he's a brother in Christ and somehow we are all one, and when one hurts, we all hurt.
Wow my heart breaks for your situation. My wife had a very similar story as your. A whole life of abuse, including satanic ritual abuse, abuse by priests teachers. Then went on to mary and 15 years of abuse and 5 kids later, she was forced finally to leave with the kids, because he went to jail for abuse on the kids. She then attempted suicide several times. When i got involved. Victimizers know how to pick victims dont they. No sitiuation.like this same but hearing your story, just brought me back to then and how broken she was. I merely gave her some hope, and helped her repair her relationship with God. And let me tell you she had tonwork through a lot of anger, and pain with Jesus. Once she opened up to him, he never left her. All the way through years later fighting cancer, and eventually passing in 2020. I just know how much he loves people like you that have been broken. I watched jesus do miracles for her. Some emotional/spiritual healing, some in holding back the hoards of demons we had to fight for her deliverence. God can help you get through this, and help you heal. Thats why he has me saying this to you. He says its ok to be angry and have it out with him, even yell and screen. He wont leave you. And when your done he will comfort, and hold you as long as he needs to. If he doesnt feel free to come back on here and yell at me. He has big plans for you. He says just like he did with Joseph in genesis. Pain overshadowed most his life, but when god shifted him and positioned him, it was for him to step into his purpose.
My friend I’m sorry for what you’re experienced and are experiencing. There are some fantastic healing and support groups for women waking up to and recovering from abusive pasts and presents. I highly recommend checking out Natalie Hoffman and Sarah McDugal.
Thank you for sharing your testimony. To see that you are choosing Christ in the midst of all your pain and heartache gives me more hope as I walk through healing with my wife. Also thank you Jennifer and Advocate team. The Lord is purifying and refining His bride to prepare us for His return.
Wow!!!.....I respect these Women and Thank them for standing for the "Jane Doe's" and Their Husbands at IHOP….These Women also represent to what is going on Globally within Top Evangelical Mega Churches, Their Ministries, and Leaders....Its February 2024 and we have already seen Major Religious Spiritual Figures having their masks torn off their faces, there are many more to follow, Jesus is coming soon and he is cleaning his church from "Top to Bottom"
Silence is violence! God bless you ladies . Similar case happen in Croatia europe in one of the word of faith "church" which is a cult, like in Bickle case . I was sued by my former so called "pastor", "apostle" now, for "slander. Five years in the court and I won last year, 7 months ago. Thank you for courage to speak out, its are DUTY! Greets from Croatia. Together we are stronger, one by one.
I am so grateful for your sharing this. . . I have wondered in the past how these things could happen in a prophetic community. . . these explanations make it so clear. And we all need to learn from this to never think someone is too holy to sin.
Amen! No person on the planet is perfect. But there are people who accept stringent accountability and don’t give themselves opportunity to slip up in so many ways over so many years with so many women. Thankfully, not all Christian leaders deceived those around them and cause chaos in the body of Christ Over their own selfish sexual sins. Just a thought.
As an outsider, I see SO MUCH made of what is called a "prophetic ministry." So where in the entire world is there any advantage of these so called prophets? True prophets would not be living in such sin. AND, those in a "prophetic ministry" would certainly not be so entirely duped. Where is your personal word from God? Your prophets are all show business. This is personally embarrassing to me as a believer. But more importantly, this dishonors Christ. I am sorry, but I have never, ever, seen a "prophetic ministry" that was not flooded with this very sort of worldly shamefulness.
The Lord is pleased with you all! Truly! Hopefully Mike will turn from his wicked ways and repent before he finds himself, “elsewhere.” The Lord only strives with us for just so long before He releases us to a reprobate mind and the consequence of eternal habitation without Him. Thank you for your courage in sharing your personal stories and what courage looks like!
I’ve worked with and for, and have observed many men like this in my life. God is arising and bringing justice to something that has been going on FAR TOO LONG. THANK YOU for these interviews. It is going to help so many women.
"Mike Bickle was almost a god". Any church or any ministry where any leader is "almost a god" is doomed From The Beginning. And this aspect is something that all the leadership, even the ones who didn't know about, condone, or try to cover up Mike's "indiscretions" have some responsibility for. Christian Ministries take note never let a man take a position of such authority ever no matter who he is even if he's my favorite preacher.
Thank you so much for these interviews. They are so helpful! These women are so brave, articulate and authentic. Again, thank you for bringing this to the Body of Christ.
Wow this was so insightful. Thank you for doing the right thing.God Bless both of you as you are helping the healing process and bringing the truth to light.
How deeply hard, like you said, these were all your friends. And yet how can you not do what is needed. Thank you for supporting all that have been deeply harmed. I'm 62 and an victim of SA and dear God how can a 19 year old consent to someone you pictured like a Mike Bickle and I'm still dealing with it rarely but still there. Thank you all for speaking and standing.
Wow!!!.....I respect these Women and Thank them for not only standing for the "Jane Doe's" and Husbands at IHOP alone....These Women are also representing on what is going on Globally within most Evangelical Mega Churches, Ministries, and their Top Leaders....Its February 2024 and we have already seen Major Religious Spiritual Figures having their masks torn off their faces, there are many more to follow, Jesus is coming soon and he is cleaning his church from "Top to Bottom"
@@profmo but repentance is needed from victimizers. There is always a redemption process, when someone in leadership falls, but they have to take a step away from current leadership, and take responsibility for there actions.
@@ericwalters3426 Repentance is needed by all. God does not say your name will not be blotted from the Lamb’s book of life because you were victim. Jesus warned us about doing that when people told him about how Pilate mixed the blood of Galileans with his sacrifices.
We are so grateful that these women have enough courage to come forward and speak. Please become stronger and stronger. We pray that you are provided a stronger platform. Please do not shrink back
Thank you both for this. The risk of push back for women who speak out and up is always greater than for men. I see you and the risks you take speaking out against a man and organization that has millions of followers. Advocate group, part of why this has been so hard to digest for so many is because of the narrative that women aren’t “believable”. Please work to change that abusive narrative by giving women the platform. Please!
Thank you so much for posting this. It's been slow in coming, but this is the right time. May healing come to all who have been wounded by this whole situation.
waiting a life-time to come forward with something you have dealt with in the quietness of your sphere publicly is not unusual at all. Especially something that deals with an organization of this magnitude, it's super intimidating. Not everyone is cut of this cloth. Whenever I shared any of my stories of my life, it was always because I thought it could benefit someone else.
Wow!!!.....I respect these Women and Thank them for not only standing for the "Jane Doe's" and Husbands at IHOP alone....These Women are also representing on what is going on Globally within most Evangelical Mega Churches, Ministries, and their Top Leaders....Its February 2024 and we have already seen Major Religious Spiritual Figures having their masks torn off their faces, there are many more to follow, Jesus is coming soon and he is cleaning his church from "Top to Bottom"
Please let these victims file with the police and come forward. Michael Brown is just caring about his friend Mike Bickle. This must be handled better than the Todd Bentley mess. These women deserve their stories to be told and for someone to stand up for THEM. NOT WORRIED ABOUT SAVING IHOP. God will save it or disban it.
this is a great discussion on the dynhamics of how this works, and why women get sucked into this dynamic. There are so many factors that make women vulnerable for so many different reasons. I recall I was very vulnerable when my ex husand was cheating and he was doing this while in a men's accountability group. The man that led that group a psychologist was counseling with us both at one point and he was totally on my side and it felt so good as I felt so left out to dry. It can cause an emotional reaction that makes an inappropriate connection. In this case there could be all kinds of vulnerabilities.
What happened to discernment on behalf of other Leader's ( men) at IHOP? Could they realize what was going on? These men were not led by the Holy Spirit...
Thank you all for speaking truth and for being exactly who I thought you were! We’re grateful! PLEASE TELL THE VICTIMS THAT WE BELIEVE THEM, are praying for them and that they are loved and supported by our family and I’m certain many, many more!
all I heard were opinions and innuendo. we've heard way too much accusation against Mike without any actual facts...and everyone has found Mike guilty without hearing Mike's side of the story. Even a local county judge would hear both side before making judgement. It just might turn out that Mike is more the VICTIM here? I certainly wouldn't want to have these women or Allen or Wes and especially Dwayne or Jennifer Roberts as my judge for any case. If Mike has any weaknesses concerning ministry it would be his poor judgement in giving leadership to people who do not have the maturity or the wisdom to rightly serve in biblical church leadership roles. I read Mike's letter and it was filled with humility, regret and apology and with a note of simple defense and innocence of the most serious things like sexual abuse, manipulation and being evil and wicked as Allen Hood and Wes word it. One fact I do see is..... there is no true and wise leadership in ihopkc and in these men making videos with their opinions who are not in leadership and have no biblical governmental authority whatsoever in this case. They need to go home and be quiet. What a mess! and they are making it worse.
@@jackierutherford5179if the allegations were not enough to distance oneself from Mike Bickle, his theology should. Just look at what the man teaches. Look at the people around him at the foundation of IHOP - Bob Jones, Paul Cain, both of whom are confirmed sexual predators. The IHOP foundation was a finely grated pile of sand from the very beginning. And those mean old discernment bloggers have been warning people for decades. Open your eyes.
These women display character, humility, strength, wisdom and courage. May they continue to stand strong as this unfolds. I was so touched by their articulate, emotionally intelligent, practical maturity.
A high school teacher wanted me to go to his home for some extra curricular tutoring. I was 17 and said a resounding NO. It actually seemed pretty straight forward to me that my life was mine to live before God.
Sounds like you came from a loving home or had a strong confidence in yourself! I’m so glad that you had self-confidence and a steady self-image. Unfortunately, most of the time, survivors of abuse, have been groomed for their entire life to believe that they are worthless. Often one or both of their parents don’t love them well. 😢 When you come from a place of low self-confidence, depression, and low self-worth, you are highly more likely to be groomed and abused. The research is out there. I’m so glad this was not what you experienced. But I hope you can find compassion in yourself for those who have had a different experience. As a mental health professional, I hear the stories of people who have been abused, groomed, and wrongly abused, as if they were the ones to blame. (Yes, partial blame can sometimes be on the victim). But in most every situation (I believe) 100% of the blame should have been put on the responsible leader especially if he is an adult. And no judgement or blame can possibly be thrown onto a 14-year-old child, who had never had a boyfriend And whose innocence trumped her wisdom and adult confidence.😢 in St. Louis where the first victim (so far) has filed an official police report.
Even at 17 years old, many women are naïve. And become deceived by a man with tons of charisma. I do not blame them. Rather, I have compassion for them. That was my point. I hope you get what I’m trying to say.
If I found out a minister was playing "footease" with my wife under the table, I would be in jail now for assault. A male minister getting together with other ladies to have movie night, seriously people? So sad to see another "minister" put up on a pedestal as untouchable and spiritually unapproachable. It's an indictment on the system of the church. There should never be inner circles within the walls of the ministry. Everything should be recorded and representatives from the each class of the local church (from a congregant to elder) should be in attendance when meetings are held. Many denominations and local churches are in upheaval because they turned a blind eye to the basics of scripture going after doctrines of demons and man. They create "strange fire" within the fellowship and eventually get burned in the process. I've seen first hand sexual immorality get swept under the rug in today's modern church, from spiritual flirting to full on adultery. The sad part of the story. It's happening in a local church near you. Wake up so-called Christians.
honestly you probably wouldn't be charged because he would probably be too embarrassed. that's why this whole story makes no sense and is sickening. they were working more like a cult than a church congregation. how did that husband just sit there??
Thankful for those that can hear The Truth and don't accuse others of "gossip" or whatever other accusations for speaking The Truth. If this isn't true, why have many witnesses from many different religious denominations, been speaking about this same thing's? To help other's understand this is not of Christ Jesus our One True Living Shepherd & to help other's understand, your not alone😢
Thank you for your bravery in speaking out. As you say, it’s not easy because the woman is usually blamed for anything sexually inappropriate. “It has to be her fault, someway. Somehow she caused this.” And it’s so interesting how Mike got away with inappropriate behavior right in plain site. But as I listen to more and more people say they saw things but just gave him a “pass”- I think that’s the clue. He got away with it because he was/ is a “dork.” “Oh, that’s just Mike.” “He’s weird.” I see now that was his “cover.” It’s so sick and so devastatingly crushing. And he has sucked so many down with him. It’s horrifying. Allen Hood says he fears for his soul. I would concur. This is so serious it is terrifying. God save him.
Thank you for your honesty. The spirit of idolatry enables the spirit of perversion. While I think Mike's narcissistic tendency will likely keep him from repenting, everyone else who was present and participating in the ministry as this was going on, should be heartbroken over their oblivion. The focus seems to be on grieving the loss (by betrayal), of a father. Jesus said, call no man your father, for there is one father. One God. IHOPKC was a supposedly spirit-filled environment which somehow allowed for young women to be sexually exploited. Yet none of these leaders discerned any of it. The math doesn't add up. What manner of spirit caused all of them to be so oblivious? If every former IHOPKC leader and minister who was shocked at the breaking of this info, searches their heart, I expect they will find there was certainly all kinds of ungodly focus that seemed perfectly spiritual... idolatry and selfish ambition probably chief of them all. Think about the "kingdoms" aka ministries that the likes of Hood, Russell, Hiebert, Candler, Hackett built, with their massive followings, in that environment. Praying hours on end, singing, prophesying, declaring... everything else but discerning. And all on a stage behind which there was an office, where the leader engaged in everything sexual (but copulation)?! And an innocent woman (Diane) was continually being cursed to death by her own husband! That is what I find the most grievious. We need repentance.
These women described situations where there were 🚩 🚩 🚩all over the place. This was worship of a man, which is unbiblical. He was given the freedom to be manipulative, over and over, because he had been put on a pedestal, so why wouldn’t he believe it would continue. Sadly, to believe that someone can “have a word from God”, and be believed, without serious scrutiny, is an invitation for manipulation and abuse. The foundation of this belief system lacks biblical accountability to the core. I fear that it is not a church at all.
Great conversation bringing this issue to light. No one talks about it! When the guilty is approached and they don't own and acknowledge their behavior and ask for forgiveness, it's tragic. Normalizing sin in plain sight. Thank you sisters for your bravery to speak up. I pray for healing for everyone who has been hurt. Repentance/forgiveness/reconciliation, this IS the gospel.
I worked with sex offenders in a secured setting. Out of all the men, not one ever expressed concern for their victims nor remorse for what they had done. Sex offenders function as predators to get their prey where they need them. They manipulate and master the art of blame shiting, deflecting and minimizing to keep doing it. That's their #1 motivation. They find huge power in using the idea that 'God is behind me and in me' and through twisting scriptures to justify their evil plans. It's about self gratification and power. In my opinion, this isn't just a Christian who stumbled when tempted. This is a sex offender, a repeat offender. Because Christianity demands so much trust it is a perfect setting for an offender to find 'super trusters' to manipulate and victimize. Stop worrying about this man repenting. He's obviously not interested. Give the victims closure. They already feel like crap for trusting such an evil person. Hold the predator accoubtable. My opinion.
I commend the women for speaking out but I strongly disagree that not one of these inappropriate relationships was consensual. These are adults who made a decision to follow along with Bickle's nonsense. God will hold human beings responsible for accepting and embracing false teachings.
Please research grooming and cults. These ladies were brainwashed and manipulated. In addition, our prefrontal cortex’s aren’t fully developed until we are 25-26. So in many ways we still think like a child before that. It’s why so many young people are impulsive. Of course we all receive consequences for sin, no matter our age. But this is a case where these women were spiritually abused, which led to sexual abuse. To say it’s consensual is victim shaming. This gives Bickle the upper hand. As a predator, he wants his victims to think they consented. Again, please do your research on such things! Repeating the whole “consensual” idea is re-victimizing someone already vulnerable and hurting.
And the particular 'Jane Doe' who they, these two interviewed women, sat & talked with several times, who had a 'relationship' w/ Mike Bickle when she was 19 yrs old? And then married a guy who became part of IHOP staff? & then that same woman has an affair w/ Mike Bickle's son? then she divorces her husband & marries Mike Bickle's son??? She sounds very convoluted & guilty of sins as much as Mike & his son are made to sound. What a mess.
@@Kat-Knows yeah but that's not popular to say.... I honestly don't even know what the point of this is since these people were all around all these years and did nothing. now everyone wants to get in front of a camera. but as you see most people in the comments are cheering it on.
God forgive us for not having righteous understanding, and if in anything, I do not have righteous understanding please everyone who read what I’ve said, please forgive me! And please holy father help us to learn the truth about your great love for us, and let us walk in the fear of the Lord. Amen.
sometimes it is the opposite. in ancient times jews used to say a man should do hard work for half the day and read the torah the other half. not an exact quote - but basically meaning he should earn a living and not leave idle time because idle time can lead to such things. we think we are too smart now though
There was hero worship and elitism at IHOP for sure. Running into some of the staff and worship people I felt belitted at times because I wasn't a part of it.
well if we did things biblically none of this would have happened since women would govern other single women with no fathers and men would govern the men. of course then there is homosexuality too to worry about - but a little less
When I was a young Catholic Christian, I worked at my local parish. I saw some of the priests doing things they shouldn’t, and having inappropriate contact with young females. I didn’t care how “ holy” they claimed to be, or whatever. I knew it was wrong and I got out of there very quickly!!! Wrong is wrong! It doesn’t matter what religious or spiritual status the person has.
It can be like the more passionate you are for God the more you can get swept up in looking up to leaders in an unhealthy way and it can be taken advantage of.
"It wasn't difficult - it was what needed to be done" - despite losing your community and fellowship, thank you, ladies, may God bless you and bring healing to you also, as well as the victims.
Thank you brave ladies for speaking the truth, and for being involved. For explaining why victims take so long to come forward, if they ever do. You are obviously wise and mature. It's clear by your demeanor that having to share these things gives you no joy, and that your hearts are broken too. Well done.
Honestly I could never watch him! Never watched his teachings.. I couldn’t put my finger on it but he would turn my stomach 🤮🤮🤮 my discernment was right on!!!
All these videos put forth by the advocacy group seem to be vague and telling that they each saw or were aware of bizarre or inappropriate behavior. Scary that it took over 30 years for these allegations to come to light. Also, how is Diane Bickle? I rarely hear how she is doing and how she is being supported at a time like this.
The sad aspect of these testimonies is the atmosphere they’re describing is exactly what makes so many men quit church. They see the single women adoring the pastor like a holy harem. The pastor flatters the young women no matter what they do while he nips at young men’s heels for the slightest imagined infraction. Men give up seeing the unfairness but don’t realize it’s not intended to be unfair toward men but to isolate the women from good men who would’ve protected the women from the pastor himself had they been around.
I heard one elder say once "if you women respect me more than you respect your own husbands then we have a big problem in this congregation". He was making that point for reasons he didn't disclose. So it's not just single women. Married ones too (which we also see there was a married women having an affair with his son in the congregation). There is a reason men in authority in ANY setting - often have more "access" to women. Let's be honest. As to the church... I highly doubt the apostles were having "one on one counseling sessions" with women.
You need to take a course on spiritual abuse, grooming, brainwashing and manipulation. And then take it again and again until you see how ignorant your comment is!
Grown men have been afraid to stand against Mike and other charismatic, predatory leaders yet targeted girls are expected to show more discernment, courage, and force? Hmmm... Few leaders in the church world wide are willing to speak against Mike but the girls are to have more guts?
However, many guys do not get no. Been there, tried to leave, finally had to be physically aggressive to get out of the situation. Not all women have the fortitude to do that though.
Another person victim blaming, yet again. No doesn't mean much to some men, I swear they hear it as a challenge. What parents need to do is teach their sons that NO means NO!!! and that they are not God's gift to women.
I thank God that As a young woman I had discernment enough to know that I should RUN from anything that looked like I wanted attention from my pastor or bosses, or to be part of an "inner circle" ANYWHERE. Sometimes I felt left out and lonely but I'd rather have that than be a 'groupie ' fan pursuing any person. The first indication that you think any person walks on water is warning ... including my husband and kids and grandkids. There is only ONE worthy of our worship
One question for Jennifer? I saw you/Dwayne featured speakers at Onething 2007 in Sacramento, CA (Amazing!).. Were you against Mike then? I feel confusion about how you speak of Mike? Peace,