Let There Be Light 

This is a story that Beth and I needed to tell. We want this documentary to speak up for the many victims of Mike Pilavachi at Soul Survivor and at the same time ask how we might become a safer and healthier Church in the future. Let there be light.

Amazing bravery. I’m a survivor myself of spiritual abuse by a youth pastor. I was 17 years old when I came forward. He was fired that day and I’ll never be more grateful. Ten other girls came forward after me. I was later hired as a youth minister. This was decades ago and I am forever grateful for how I have been treated.

A quote from Bonhoeffer When a madman is tearing through the streets in a car, I can, as a pastor who happens to be on the scene, do more than merely console or bury those who have been run over. I must jump in front of the car and stop it. This is what you guys are doing 🙌🏼

"That's just Mike" is one of the saddest things I've heard. Thank you all for being brave.

Even after all this has been ainfully brought forward, the church of England has barely reacted. MP has been quietly retired, nobody else has faced any accountability for allowing him to abuse these boys (and others) and there's been no attempt even to learn lessons from this. How can the church claim to be relevant or even moral when it cares so little for the lives of vulnerable teenagers and young adults?

There is nothing hidden that will not eventually be revealed. I pray that God would continue to heal all those that have been affected by this sad state of affairs in Jesus precious name.

I worked at several of the Soul Survivor festivals in various roles but never had contact with Mike Pilavachi. All I saw was a great number of people working very hard to produce a fantastic experience for thousands of young people and the worship in the tent was something I will never forget, it certainly changed and strengthened my faith. I know from the young people we had with us in our youth group that they all had a great time and it is important to know that Pilavachi's behaviour and abuse doesn't detract from that. The teaching delivered by him, Andy Croft and others reached out to everyone and I truly believe that he had a passion for spreading the gospel to young people. It's just so terribly sad that there was another, awful side to him where he failed utterly in his relationships with other people, he hurt so many and failed to recognise his own failings, causing so much suffering. There's no excuse for it, he knew better, it's not just "being Greek". It's amazing to hear Matt say he forgives Mike and a lesson for us all - but to also say, very rightly, that Mike needs to be held accountable for his actions. I also pray that Pilavachi will come to realise the harm and hurt he has caused and come to repentance for it. I also pray that the Soul Survivor Church learns from this and comes back all the stronger.

The lesson is never idolize people!! It never works out well!!

Five key takeaways for me from this... (quotes from the video)... 1. “People act to protect the system rather than the sheep…” 2. “That’s just Mike…” Never excuse unacceptable behaviour - regardless of who does it. 3. “I would absolutely encourage anyone who has experiences spiritual abuse to get help…” 4. “This is not about forgiveness, this is about accountability” 5. “There is abuse of power across the board.. There needs to be a a leadership structure that is accountable…”

Thank you, Matt and Beth. This is not just about soul survivor and Mike. This is about God’s church being above board and transparent in all it conducts. It's about the church being different. Leaders are servants, and we need to stop and discourage Super Stars' mentality. Jesus came to serve, not to Lord it over people even though he was the Lord. The body of Christ needs to do better. Massive wake-up call. Praying for God’s redeeming grace over his body.

Just because thousands of lives have been "changed" does not mean that God is not aware of the abusive behavior of a leader. God is never surprised. Never let an abusive leader muzzle Christian people into silence. God is bigger than any fear that we who are abused would ''tear down'' a successful ministry. We sing all of these praise and worship songs about how great God is. Yet, we have no faith that our pain is not as important as a successful ministry. Do not be fooled. God will eventually prevail against a bully. That will happen after Christians stand up and say, "You [Christian leader] will not do this to me again.

Genuine question, why did you go back years later to lead worship?

As someone who attended Soul Survivor I was always uncomfortable with how Mike's ego, personality and repeated stetched out anecdotes were such a dominant part of the event. I loved the Worship but never really got much from Mike's talks other than his ego. Soul Survivor was the place where so many British teenagers first encountered God and received Spiritual Gifts, but to me Mike's ministry always felt 'off'and I didn't understand why his personality was allowed to rule the whole culture of Soul Survivor. Thank you Matt and Beth for your honesty, for perservering in raising the alarm bells on Mike's abuse and for still journeying in faith and with God despite how Church governance abused and failed you. Bless you guys

The Church of England, as well as Pilavachi, is massively at fault here. The Government's, Safe From Harm Code of Practice, was published in 1993 and churches of all denominations embraced and implimented it. So why not Soul Survivor which is part of the CofE?

Beyond sad, but thanks for your bravery and courage in speaking out. Your music has ministered to me in such great and deep ways over the years. Thanks for your ministry, Matt. May God continue to bless your life in every way.

There is so much I want to say about spiritual abuse, but I will just say thank you for making this and pray for healing for all of the survivors.

Very important video. If it is too uncomfortable to view for some people, watch the last five minutes where some constructive conclusions and reflections are clearly outlined. Concentrated power has problems, as it may encourage the circumstances that occurred here. Nobody is perfect or sinless, and there ought to be structures and practices that limit unhealthy temptations and practices. More humble, accountable structures would be healthier. Thank you for your courage to share this testimony, as it is part of the Church being transparent and open. Furthermore, I like the down-to-earth approach in contrast to the super spiritual showmanship. My wife and I appreciate Matt Redman's anointed ministry, and I appreciate your honesty here to work towards a healthier Church. Blessings!

@MattRedmanOfficial 10 mins in and I am weeping. I raised this in 1999. I was ignored. I was the problem. I am 50.years old and sat on the outside looking in on the IN crowd. I saw young people being discarded. I was angry. I left SS. God never let go of me. I observe how upset I am about this. Matt , we went to St Andrews as very young kids. I remember my mother praying over your musical gifting. She said to you your music would be worldwide. God is faithful and true. I've known Mike P before he was at St Andrews and I had years of coming to terms with the rejection and confusion that stemmed from that church who NEVER held him to account. Where was the Church of England when complaints were made?. He planted SS with the same spirit and culture I witnessed in St Andrews. It's flooding back now. We can't locate all this jn SS - there needs to be a systemic investigation and historical overview from 1980s where this behaviour was commonplace in St Andrews. I saw the damage and it stopped me fully engaging with SS. I need to forgive and move on because I have been silenced all my life I don't feel any one will listen to what I had to endure

Well done for speaking out. I’m a counsellor & psychotherapist and have come out of the church myself. There are many people out there who have been so damaged by abuse. Spiritual & emotional abuse by ‘leaders’. Just horrendous.

Breaks my heart watching what you both have been through. Hopefully it will give people the courage to speak up against the narcissistic, controlling and abusive behaviour in the post John Wimber Vineyard movment. Other than the physical abuse your experiences are a blueprint for what has gone on in the Vineyard Uk. When you’re in you’re in when you’re out your most definitely out - the phone stops ringing and your ‘friends’ vanish. Pray God’s blessing over you guys. Lots of love xxx

"Jesus is cleaning up his Church"

As this documentary states, abuse is across the board in our society, not just churches. So surely we as the church need to teach far more on the topic of abuse, how to spot the signs, to challenge it and to care for, minister to, the abuse. What saddens me most in this film is how senior church leaders dismissed the grave and sincere concerns raised, after many years, by Matt and Beth Redman. This shows the complete lack of understanding and ignorance of the whole subject from those who should above all else caring for their church members and co-followers of Christ, not clinging on to their institutions or pride in the size of their congregations. Jesus will indeed bring their actions into the light 🙏

THANK YOU Matt, Beth and Diane... SO RELEVANT for where our #IHOPKC family is right now... Enormously helpful for the healing and correction and cleansing that needs to take place within thousands of hearts, lives and families that have been under the abusive leadership of Mike Bickle and remaining "defensive" leadership... The Father's grand blessings upon your Kingdom work here...

As a pastor for 35 years, THANK YOU! Bravo Matt. May we all have the courage to speak.

"Never once did I ever walk alone. Never once did you leave me on my own. You are faithful" ...thank you Father you are faithful

Thank you Matt! I am a trained counselor and your honesty and transparency are so helpful and empowering for others who have been abused.

I was there as a teenager at the festivals and even to me then, the 'buddy buddy' banter from Mike to Matt on stage felt off. I ended up concluding that sadly this wasn't a work of God, and left the charismatic movement completely. Well done though Matt and Beth for making this video.

Thanks for doing this... love Diane Langberg. What a fighter for God she has been over so many years, calling out the darkness and bringing hope, solidarity and healing to so many.

So the man who touted celibacy, so happy without a wife. Was a gay man, who hated himself. He walked as close to the line as he felt he could without crossing it. But in what he was doing, he crossed so many lines. Purity culture and church homophobia has a part to play in this story.

As a survivor of spiritual abuse I thank you Matt and Beth for making this moving documentary and for bringing your painful experiences into the light

So sorry for your pain. As a pastor I commend you for your boldness and courage.

Thank you Beth and Matt. As a youth worker who took many young people to Soul Survivor over the years this is heartbreaking - yet I am reminded that God still did many great things and transformed many lives. As a now church leader I pray that ALL church leaders can examine their own behaviour and responses in light of this and be ACCOUNTABLE for that behaviour. LORD have mercy.

I’ve been in a church of one type or another for over 45 years. I have experienced two periods of abuse, indecent assault by a vicar in the CofE in my teens and spiritual abuse by a minister more recently. It has come about, that as I walk my family through speaking out over being wrongfully excommunicated, my prior abuse has also come to a point of being dealt with. The Lord does not forget and He sees that justice is done, if not on Earth, then in heaven. Probably the most hurtful thing is not being believed, by people I counted close friends, and as a child, even family who didn’t want to rock the status quo in church. In my more recent experience, charges of sin against our minister were dismissed on minutiae. It’s one thing to have a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but a wolf in Shepherd’s clothing is a much more dangerous beast. It took us a while to realise that our church had been leaking like a sieve for a significant time. But when I noticed an absence, I’d ask the minister and would believe his story about why a family were no longer attending. In the Kingdom of God, there is no “lower status” we are all part of the body of Christ. Each member must be equally valued. It might be that we keep a bicep, because we view it as important, but we loose several hundred blood cells and now the whole body is severely anaemic, because we saw them as expendable.

As a therapist specialising in trauma and spiritual abuse, thank you so much for your candour and bravery 🙏 so many Christian clients feel affirmed by your story! Thank you.

Thank you, Beth and Matt. Your voice is so needed! Matt, I met you backstage at the Onething Conference in Kansas City in 2013. My Dad, Allen Hood, was the Associate Director of IHOPKC for twenty years. This is a timely message for those of us navigating our current season of advocating for victims of abuse at that ministry. I cannot thank you enough!

Wow, seems like MANY similarities with what was happening with Mike Bickle at IHOPKC too. Very sad, we need to be praying for His church!

Thank you Matt and Beth for sharing your story. The emotional abuse is so subtle. Yes, LET THERE BE LIGHT .

So well documented and presented. Also heard you both on Radio 2 and thought it came across well measured. Having taken our yth for many yrs to SS and hosted worship events at our church with those mentioned in video, it has been painful to see this rise up and banded about the media....but to have this measured insight by people I consider trusted, is moving and brave.

Thank you, Matt & Beth. This is such a critical issue to confront in the church. I've experienced all types of abuse from my ex-husband and, sadly, emotional abuse from church staff. Because I've experienced abuse in my marriage, when negative behaviors were evident with a church leader, I dismissed it and considered myself to be overly sensitive. The more we talk about this issue and implement policies in the church to rectify it, the healthier we will be. Jesus despised oppression and called it out. May our leaders do likewise.

I did get a sense from when I used to listen to allot of Mikes talks that he needed help. Like when he went home after a long trip and felt along and sad. I felt Mike needed allot of help and from his stories it sounded like there was a deep need for healing ❤️‍🩹. I don’t think Mike was fully healed and that’s why he may have ended up Doing what he did. No excuses for what happened. Just Sad for the Victim’s and Sad we have lost Mike as well. I’ll miss hearing the stories. Pray for Soul Survivor and the Youth Ministry. Pray God Raises a new youth Leader .

I'm so sorry you and many others experienced this. May the Lord bring healing 🙏🏿 ❤

Giving the voiceless a voice is paramount. It's such a shame that some church leaders 'push' certain allegations under the rug as though they haven't even happened. This can lead victims to question whether whistle blowing is helpful or more of a faff... It's so important that anyone with an allegation is listened to and feels listened to. I'm so happy to see the Church is taking safeguarding seriously here! May this strengthen and continue.

Thank you so much both, for your courage in making this informative video. I hope and pray that change really will take place moving forward. As a counsellor, your telling of your experience, and indeed bringing this into the light, I’ve found this ‘learning’ invaluable. As a mother, I recognise that my own daughter also suffered in ‘echoing’ ways, resonant ways - serving as a young intern in her church some years ago - and ‘fell out of favour’ for unexplained reasons, and we saw her sink and shrink too, it was heartbreaking. It’s taken a long time for her to regain her confidence and strength. Bless you, always, for this and your strength in coming through it all together - and for all those others courageous people who came forward to speak out the truth of what happened for them. Oh Lord, come, heal your Church.

My big question to Matt & Beth Redman now is,are there Safeguarding policy's now in place at Soul Survivor & are all leaders within the Church familiar with &( educated) & aware that all kinds of abuse does happen within any Church community from the top down? It's so unfortunate,but it's a fact of life & you've only got to look back in history to see shocking abuse in all denominations of the Church where ppl esp children are at their most vulnerable.

Problem is that so many Churches brush spiritual abuse under the Carpet

I so respect Matt and Beth Redman....I was troubled / grieved hearing the phrase "oh thats just Mike" from the mouths of those in high places - in regards to Mikes ungodly behaviour and abuse as a leader. They were blind and unwilling to believe/hear the concerns of the frightened and fragile voices who pleaded to be heard. They were bluntly dismissed. What is so sad as well is this was exactly the same phrase said from those protecting Mike Bickle IHOP 'Oh that's just Mike" ...strange how they both loved to wrestle.

Thank you Matt and Beth for the incredible courage you have shown in speaking out and producing this documentary. I believe it is a God given strength you have shown which took incredible vulnerability. God bless you both and may His name be glorified through this. For "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7

Matt must've been so conflicted about this; his abuser is also the one who helped him launch a rewarding career in music. He and Mike were leaders at a worship conference I attended around 1999. Among other things, I learned the of how the song Heart Of Worship came about when Mike realised their corporate worship had gotten misaligned. Matt is uniquely positioned to help victims of spiritual abuse. As one who's been damaged by abusive church authority, I'd like to see robust action to bring healing, maybe financial backing for focussed and specific counseling for victims. This would help rebuff those who say he should've said something sooner. James 4:17

Jesus is indeed cleaning up his church. He is coming for a pure and spotless bride. Thank you for bringing this into the light. We need humility and repentance. 🙏🏾

Thank you so much for this. I joined Soul Survivor in 2017 and am still a member. I finally understand what went on. Thank you so much for drawing back the curtain and letting the light in. May God continue to bless and heal.

This just shows how important safeguarding is.

Proverbs 24:24-25 says, “Whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.” Praying for all those so deeply affected.

I was at Soul 61 there between 2011-2012. Although nothing directly happened to me, I noticed that I was often very anxious in that environment and I didn’t know why. This was prior to any mental health diagnosis I had in later life but generally emotionally and mentally I only get into that state in unsafe and unstable environments. I had odd interactions but limited ones with Mike Pilavachi and Andrew Croft. I felt like socially they were off for some reason but at the time being only 21/22 years old it was hard for me to join the dots together. May I attest there were many loving people in and around that community so I am appalled in hearing about all of this over a decade later via a Facebook message. I didn’t even get told directly; I had to google what happened for myself. I was a new Christian at the time so it was hard for me personally to spot problematic issues. I pray that people look to Christ and glorify his name, realising that his power is not limited by evildoers and abusers. I hope everyone affected directly gets the help, support and therapy that they need. I am ashamed for the church in this country as frankly I feel like there’s a lack of love and this proves that to the extreme. I am disgusted.

I do not want to sound critical of victims. Mike set himself up as a god for the people involved in the ministry. He not only was abusive, but also demanded that members of the team worship him, not God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. What a horrible position to be forced into by being told that going against what he said and did would ruin the ministry. I will pray that God's righteousness will reign, that there will be complete healing for all involved.

TO MIKE PILAVACHI:- SEEK & FIND & FULLY GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS NOW WHILE HE CAN STILL BE FOUND BECAUSE YOU ARE 66 YEARS OLD NOW MIKE & YOU DON'T KNOW (WELL NO ONE KNOWS!!!???) HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE LEFT ON PLANET EARTH & YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP IN A LOST ETERNITY WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS ! ! !

Recently, I got my family out from a wolf posing as a pastor who was set to devour my family. The Holy Spirit gave me such clear direction with this wolf. He appointed himself as the pastor that started as a bible study, and it became a mind game and manipulation after that, he would do the silent treatment as well when we didn't fall in line with his pack. Very horrible and toxic individual. Many more have since left his church (not the Lord's church).

So, has this serial abuser been convicted? If so, what was his punishment? I totally feel for all of the victims, but what of the abuser? What has the CoE done to ensure justice for his victims and justice for the abuser? I read in the Church Times that this abuser was issued "advice and a written warning" and to take "no further action" against him. Don't talk to me about forgiveness, Im talking about justice. Where is the damned justice in that?

Thank you so much for sharing and I am truly sorry for what you both and all the other victims went through. As one of the thousands who attended Soul Survivor and then attended as a youth leader assistant, I am so saddened to hear what went on behind the scenes in a time when God was moving so powerfully. Thanks to Radio 2 for highlighting this at lunchtime today and bringing me to listen to this documentary

God bless you dear Matt and Beth. Thank you for adding your voices to all the others, heard and unheard. Interesting to note no further Premier Christian Radio podcasts forthcoming since episode 4 and your testimony. Especially yours at the end Beth 🤍 Surely Pilavachi must be stripped of his OBE?!! AND forbidden any further ministry in the Church!!! Amen.

Stop putting men on a pedestal, stop building hierarchies. This same story will keep being told, over and over and over again

I commend Matt, Beth, and other contributors for their honesty and courage. I particularly commend the recommendations outlined near the end of the documentary to help abuse like this from reoccurring in the Church. Reluctantly, I also want to mention my unease. Although it could be understood that the Redmans were initially "spiritually groomed" by the older Mike Pilavachi at a much younger and more vulnerable time, they were in their late 40s when this all came to light. They had been in the higher echelons of international Christian ministry and leadership for decades. As with Tim and Pete Hughes (and countless other leaders who have their foundations in Soul Survivor), they had - and still have - a substantial platform. Whilst the Redmans allude to questioning Mike's behaviours on many occasions (when they kept hearing "that's just Mike"), only going to one senior church leader in 2019 and not taking it further when they didn't receive an appropriate response leaves questions unanswered. Of course, I don't know all the facts whatsoever, and I'm sure they did more than they had a chance to mention in this documentary. And of course, the argument that they did not wish to destroy a thriving ministry or work of God is a robust argument (not to mention their loyalty to a mentor figure, no matter how flawed he might have been). Yet the fact remains that they were personally invested in this ministry (both before and after they left Soul Survivor), and they chose not to speak out further against its figurehead when it had become increasingly clear Mike's abusive behaviour would be affecting many. Sadly, this is where the Church gets it wrong time and time again. Fellow leaders turn a blind eye - or at best, a half hearted approach - to the inappropriate behaviour of other leaders, so as not to rock the boat (which they are also sailing on). No matter how unconsciously it happens, we protect our own, because in doing so, we protect ourselves. I acknowledge the regret mentioned in the documentary - particularly by Matt for not doing anything sooner. Yet this regret is subtly laced with a distancing from Mike and a distancing from the responsibility that comes with senior leadership and ministry. And without wishing to dismiss their own status as victims in this awful saga, their unintended and unwanted role in the saga sits uneasily with me. If read by anyone, I suspect my thoughts might receive some backlash; and that is okay. My initial commendation of this documentary sits alongside my unease. I hold both positions in healthy tension, without needing to be forced on one side of the fence or the other. This is what we need to do better as a Church. We need to learn how to hold and manage healthy tensions, rather than forcing ourselves (and others) into a single position. Was Mike incredibly gifted and did he father a remarkable ministry which touched the lives of thousands of young people? Yes. Was he also manipulative and abusive? Sadly, yes as well. We need to learn how to hold painful truths alongside glorious truths - and respond to both as a hurting world requires us to, regardless of the personal cost. This is what Jesus did - he spoke out against injustice despite the personal cost.

I so appreciate your courage in speaking up. It must have been costly, but your honesty and integrity will help so many. Thank you.

Thank you for this. I especially appreciate the distinction between forgiveness and as accountability

Great, helpful video. I applaud you, Matt and Beth. But I am a bit puzzled as to why Amy Orr-Ewing is one of the 'explainers' in this video, after such a high profile experience of missing the signs previously with Ravi Zacharias. Seems an odd choice?

Just excellent. A story that needs to be told and it was told really well.

Fantastic you've made this. But where's everyone else? This story shouldn't continue to be told in isolation.

Matt, Beth, Amy - thank you so much for producing this and opening up the painful story of what happened at Soul Survivor. The documentary was profound and helpful, not only shining the spotlight on the situation under Mike's leadership, but helping explain how such a culture can develop and what churches and other organisations can do to safeguard themselves against toxic leadership.

Thank you both for your courage and determination to speak openly.

We had a young adults pastor who was fired for inappropriate behavior with one of the adults. It was wild how the other members of the group rallied around HIM! He left, and contacted the group lying to them about the incident. Almost got quite a few people to follow him until I reached out and shared his recorded admittance of wrongdoing. But even then it was hard for people to see him in any other light than that of an anointed, charismatic, imperfect man. I was blown away! I wanted so badly to just shake people and help them to see the truth! If this man had repented I would not have been so dogmatic but he is now spreading lies about our pastor and it’s divisive and harmful. I had to give it to Jesus because it was tearing me up. I spoke my peace, he had been exposed and now people have to choose to believe the lie or the truth. Praying for all those who have been harmed by those who abuse their position in ministry. God have mercy!

Thank you. Its been a very long time since I have felt hope that the Church will listen to, will *center*, victims of abusive church leaders. We had a youth pastor at my former church who was convicted of possession of illegal images of children. As a victim and survivor of that form of abuse, i tried to have the victims centred in our response. Since none of the children of the church were harmed, it proved impossible, even with a supportive vicar. I wrote a liturgy for a prayer service which not one member of the church attended. It shattered me and my faith in the Church. I did not feel alone with Jesus but I felt isolated in the Church. And I felt I had let the victims down. Tonight I cry tears of hope and release. Thank you for bringing all the victims with you and making sure they are heard. God bless you both.

This is something I hate in the Christian world. The leader, the one at the top is 'untouchable' , accountable, and ' never wrong.' to criticise a leader you are shut down, told that we have to ' honour ' or leaders and have unquestioning support.

Thank you for sharing this with grace and humility, but steadfastly facing up to the truth. This video speaks so much wisdom that more of us need to hear. It can happen to anybody anywhere and we must ALWAYS take abuse, of any kind, seriously. God bless you.

I thank the Lord for you and your courage. Praise God He has brought you through this and brought it into the light. The Lord bless you and keep you. Praying many churches will make this a priority to encourage their congregation to watch this from beginning to end. Praying eyes will be opened 🕊✝️🕊 I refer to the last statement. It is disgraceful that the Church of England have not brought about sanctions in this case; and I suspect many more!!! It is shameful!

We are told that there will be wolves in sheep's clothing. I have experienced this in the Church and in family. I so agree that the Church must be educated on the abuser's tactics or the victims will be called the abusers because the real abusers are so good, so covert, so skilled at blameshifting that the victims are so often not heard. Thank you for shedding light on abusers and shedding the light so the abused have a chance of being heard.

God bless you guys for this! Prayers it helps others know to seek help. Love your hearts dearly.

Utterly horrendous stuff. Unbelievable that this happened. But glad that this has finally come out. God have mercy.

So what has happened to Pilavachi ? New job ? Retired to south of France ? Adviser to the government ? Any accountability?

THE ABUSED DON'T ALWAYS BECOME THE ABUSERS BUT MIKE PILAVACHI MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THIS ? ? ?

Thank you for sharing, you have helped so many people God bless you both ❤️

After several similar abuse cases going back to Sheffield in the mid-1980s, the CofE has developed rigorous safeguarding procedures and compulsory training , so why aren’t these mentioned at all in this video?!

For those in the Church of England, any abuse can and should be reported directly to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.

I appreciate you opening up about this. This is a significant moment in the church and the story that you and Beth are courageously sharing through your documentary is crucial for healing, accountability, and progress within the Church community. By raising awareness and initiating discussions on how to foster a safer and healthier Church environment moving forward, you are contributing to a necessary dialogue that can lead to positive change and prevent such incidents from happening in the future. It takes great strength and determination to confront these challenging issues, and your commitment to shining a light on them is truly commendable. May your documentary serve as a catalyst for reflection, growth, and action within the Church, paving the way for a more compassionate, supportive, and safe environment for all. Thank you for your dedication to this cause, and I wish you and Beth all the best as you navigate through this important journey.

Thank goodness this has been made. Well done Redmans!

Matt, thanks for exposing the truth , the sad side is ,the forest was shrinking, but the trees kept voting for the axe ,as it's handle was made of wood, and they thought it was one of them...

sounds like he is a narcissist

In years gone by he said in an interview that he would stay celibate. I now know why. He manipulated these boys, so sad for all concerned

Thank you for your bravery and honesty. This video is clear, Godly, honourable and light revealing

This is all too real. Thanks for sharing. I've experienced this in YWAM in varying levels. Emotional and spiritual abuse, and constant gaslighting. It's damaging and very difficult to get back on track once you leave the community.

It is so devastating to hear that people considered the "goodstuff" worth turning a blind eye on this kind of abuse. How could they with a clear conscience ever believe that God would consider the "good stuff" worth the price that was being paid. Abuse in any form should not be tolerated. As hard as it has been, thank you for making this video and shedding a light so that we may learn in order to respond better in any scenario with abusive behavior in a more responsible manner. May the survivors feel the love of God & heal over time🤗💕🙏 May those who tolerated & condoned this behaviour also reflect, pray & receive healing in order to be able to have a better voice if ever confronted with something similar in the future. And for those of us who have been fortunate enough not to have experienced abuse learn too so that we may listen, acknowledge & speak up if we ever need to🤗🙏❤️

Thank you for your courage and honesty. Sadly, the way we 'do leadership' in Church elevates people up and away from accountable relationships. Mike is one of MANY who have abused position and power. We have to move towards a model of leadership that is based on a plurality of leaders and away from the 'mighty man of God' syndrome.

We need to be a God first Church. If we exalt our leaders we misplace God. We should have no other God . This is the First commandment. We do this time and time again . Christ is the head of the Church . Leadership is important But it is NOT God. It is clear to me that this kind of abuse is enabled by over exalting leadership . Idolisation. We are part of one Body with many Parts . Each one with a part to Play (1 Cor 12) . A few years Ago the Church was always talking about leadership, Leadership, Leadership as though it was the most important part. The job to aspire to. But it does not need this honour Vs 24 God determines place Not Man, Not Church Vs18. every part is important Vs23. Please Church can we stop Idolising Leadership. We do them a dis-service and we displace God . This Kind of thing Is enabled .

It's not just MP but the whole evangelical strain in the Church that is abusive. Young teenagers are routinely emotionally manipulated, told they are broken, and peer-pressured into performing a charismatic experience. It is a two-dimensional form of Christian worship and teaching, which seems friendly and fun but imparts very conservative values. Completely unqualified adults are controlling toward vulnerable young people who are looking for community. It leaves a painful guilt-ridden legacy in the lives of people who get away from it. 'Youth leaders' are often well intentioned people who have no idea of the damage they do. This was my experience and that of a number of people I know. The Church can be so much more and do so much better - Church life can be nourishing and priests can be positive figures in people's lives - but it has been a mistake for the CofE to embrace the easy congregation-growing solution of evangelical churches

Incredibly sad. This should make us question the whole "prophetic movement". If this was going on and no leaders called MP out before we have to question if the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available today. Where was the word of Knowledge? Where was the word of wisdom? Where was the decerning of spirits? A lot of questions need to be asked. My children went to SS and saw through a lot of the hype from stage. The music just worked the young people into a hypnotic state to receive these "words" which now prove to be false. 😢😢 MP needs to be stripped of his MBE

Where was the safe guarding system? Our fellowship has four elders who are accountable to us and each other and other elders within our team of churches. We have separate safe guarding members who are the first point of contact for anyone who may have a concern. One man should never have been allowed to lead and reign in such a huge organisation.

I experienced Mike's mercurial moods in South Africa when he ran Soul Survivor out of my church at the time. I feel for everyone involved.

このようなことは、リーダーだけでなく、メンバーの中でもあります。実際、私はあるメンバーに4年以上も無視されてます。救われた神の子にです。信じられないですが、現実です。それを私は変えることはできない。

Shocking just how much people of power can manipulate and what people will put up with to stay in their favour. Thank you for bringing this into the light. May justice be done, may the oppressor, Mike Pilavachi and his enablers be brought to true repentance, and may those abused in his ‘care’ find healing in their true Saviour 🙏

I’m so sorry for what you endured. I met you once at a youth ministry event at your home church. Your gift and humility were inspiring. I feel betrayed by your treatment. I’m not with a church now because of my own journey. I work and live an empty life and I question why God allowed this to happen. Probably doesn’t count but. Bless you ❤

Thank you both for having the courage to speak out and make this film. It has helped me enormously and will help many others too. It is so essential to call out wrongdoing in all its ugliness. My heart goes out to all of you who have suffered at this mans hand. I will pray for you. God bless you ❤

Luke 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. @Elim and @Colin Dye you can only hide things for so long the truth about abusive behaviour is being revealed.