New Report Reveals IHOPKC Founder Mike Bickle Abused at Least 17 Women
An independent investigation found that Mike Bickle, the founder of International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC), has sexually abused at least seventeen women, including minors, throughout his tenure.
"Throughout the investigation, we have identified and interviewed seventeen (17) Survivors who were either sexually abused or experienced sexually abusive misconduct, including sexual abuse, rape, clergy abuse, and spiritual abuse, perpetrated by BICKLE beginning to our knowledge in the mid-1970s. These acts of abuse have had profound and lasting impacts on the lives of the victims, causing significant emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm," the 68-page report, conducted by the Firefly, stated.
Per Protestia, the neutral third-party team analyzed over 6,000 documents and conducted 210 initial witness interviews, including 28 reinterviews. Bickle, however, refused to participate or cooperate with the investigators. Additional stories of victims who reportedly were "sexually harassed and experienced sexually abusive misconduct by Bickle and/or other staff on campus" were not disclosed in the report because "many of these accounts are based on hearsay, as we have not directly heard from the victims themselves," Firefly stated.
The women in the report accuse Bickle of engaging in a pattern of sexual grooming and manipulation tactics, including using touch, gifts, and promises of spiritual insight to exploit his victims. Additionally, Bickle's behavior was often enabled by other IHOP leaders within the organization, who failed to hold him accountable.
"The investigation has revealed that staff members who reported sexual abuse victims to their supervisors often faced retaliation. Instead of being supported, these whistleblowers were frequently disciplined by being transferred to different positions or having their work hours reduced, despite the assurances in the IHOPKC Whistleblower Policy," the report stated.
"This punitive response staff members received, despite the policy set in place, discouraged staff from coming forward. Alarmingly, the policy also pushed to keep complaints inside the organization, with all reported complaints and allegations going directly to the compliance officer and the Executive Director."
The investigation concluded that Bickle's pattern of abusive behavior, "including spiritual, emotional, and sexual abuse," has been ongoing for the past 50 years. Firefly also addressed Bickle's correspondence on December 12, 2023, where he confesses he "sinned by engaging in inappropriate behavior" but refuted the claims that he engaged in "the more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting." A month prior to his admission, Bickle and the IHOPKC's Executive Leadership team agreed that he would step away from public ministry indefinitely in light of the allegations.
"Regardless of the intensity, BICKLE'S grooming, sexual solicitation, and abusive misconduct involving seventeen (17) women, some of whom were minors, is evident and should not be downplayed. This behavior has caused significant harm and trauma to the victims, and it is crucial to recognize the severity of his actions," the report stated.
Related Article: IHOP Founder Mike Bickle Confesses to 'Inappropriate Behavior' 20 Years Ago
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/International House of Prayer/Facebook/Michele Suzanne Cote
Originally published February 06, 2025.
