
An independent investigation released Monday night reports that Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City (IHOPKC), sexually abused and groomed 17 women, including minors.
Founded in 1999, IHOPKC has widely been known as a leader in the worship, prayer and prophetic movements. In December 2023, IHOPKC formally separated itself from Bickle as accusations began to come forward from victims. An investigation was then conducted by Firefly Independent Sexual Abuse Investigations over the course of the last year, interviewing 210 people.
The report found that in some cases, the abuse by Bickle constituted rape.
The full report, commissioned by Tikkun Global, is available here.
Findings of the Investigation
The 68-page report states that Bickle engaged in “sexually abusive misconduct, including sexual abuse, rape, clergy abuse and spiritual abuse” beginning in the mid-1970s through 2023.
“These acts of abuse have had profound and lasting impacts on the lives of the victims, causing significant emotional, psychological and spiritual harm,” the report states.
Victims described to investigators a pattern of coercion and control, with Bickle allegedly using his position of spiritual authority to isolate and manipulate them.
“Bickle would make his victims feel special and singled out with his intense focus, sometimes publicly from his platform as a preacher,” the report states.
Witnesses interviewed by Firefly said he frequently “caressed their faces, touched their hair and whispered in their ears” in ways that made them uncomfortable.
Bickle also allegedly created situations in which victims would see him undressed. According to one account from 1997 in the report, he booked a hotel room for a victim in, then “took a shower and exited the bathroom with a full erection, exposing himself” to her. When questioned about it later, he allegedly responded, “It was immoral, it was immoral, it was immoral.”
Use of Prophecy to Manipulate Victims
The report details how Bickle used “prophetic words” to exert control over his victims, convincing them that their relationship with him was spiritually ordained. In one instance, Bickle allegedly told a woman that “the Lord had shown him that Diane [Bickle’s wife] was going to die” and that they would be together.
“He would describe their future life together, including living in a house by the lake and being ‘in the chariot’ with him,” the report states.
Other victims told investigators that Bickle framed his behavior in religious terms, making them feel complicit.
“By invoking a prayer of repentance, he further distorted her understanding of the situation, making her feel complicit in the abuse,” investigators wrote of one encounter. “This tactic not only reinforced his control but also exploited her faith, creating a false sense of shared guilt.”
Mishandling of Abuse Allegations
The investigation also found that IHOPKC’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) “responded to reports of sexual abuse with deliberate indifference” and discouraged victims from involving law enforcement. The report states:
“This indifference not only exacerbated the trauma experienced by the victims but also allowed the perpetrators to evade accountability and continue their misconduct.”
IHOPKC leaders allegedly pressured victims into private meetings with their abuser, known as “Matthew 18 Meetings.” These meetings were used to “conceal, minimize and silence victims of sexual abuse,” according to the report.
In one case, a survivor who reported her assault was allegedly told, “You are holy if you don’t talk. If you talk, you are toxic.” Another victim said she was forced into a confrontation with her abuser and told to use the phrase “violated” instead of “sexually abused” when describing what happened to her.
IHOPKC’s Response and Past Allegations
Bickle has not publicly responded to the findings.
Despite IHOPKC formally and permanently separating from Bickle in December 2023 citing his “inappropriate behavior,” the Firefly report states that its leaders “actively worked to suppress allegations and protect Bickle rather than addressing the abuse.”
The Firefly investigation is the most extensive inquiry into allegations against Bickle since victims began to come forward in 2023. Multiple women have come forward over the last year, but this report marks the first time that more than a dozen victims have been identified and interviewed.
Calls for Accountability
Tikkun Global has assembled a Pastor Recommendation Team (PRT) to review the report and issue recommendations. Additionally, the Firefly report includes recommendations for reforms, including mandatory reporting of abuse, stricter policies for leadership accountability and support for survivors.