It’s the middle of the year 2006. I’m about to take my first-ever step into an IHOPKC facility. Kicking off is their once, annual, Prophetic Conference. It was during this time I initially learned of the Forerunner School of Ministry. Dying to attend, I applied and was later accepted. Fast forward three months and I’m loading up a truck, moving to KC.
With a month before classes begin, I have time to hang out. Search for work. See what there is to see. Even attended my first One Thing event (iykyk). It was the final year at the arena before transitioning over to the Convention Center.
I was doting over every moment! A new city. A new home. All was evidence for what I was feeling inside - I am finally where I belong! No one could convince me otherwise.
School orientation registers high on the epic scale. Vividly, do I remember the day. I’d never been a part of something that felt so big. So meaningful. Life, it seemed, was finally heading in the right direction. “Magic.” What do they say? It was absolutely “in the air”.
I loved school. I loved… most of the teachers. We were reading insightful, sometimes heady books and diving ever deeper into the Word. Add to this a 24-hour/wk requirement in the Prayer Room - connecting our head knowledge with our heart. It was part of the curriculum. It was part of our grade. Oftentimes, I loathed being in there. But all in all, it was part of the Lord's beautiful plan.
Many friendships were made during this time. We all shared a common goal - going hard after God. We succeeded together. Failed together. Got back up together. Graduated together. And now, for reasons I wish were not so, we lament together.
Late October 2023, it was announced how accusations against IHOP’s founder and former head pastor Mike Bickle were coming forth. Tales of sexual misconduct with several different women via several different sources arose. Many of these voices (not the victims) were former leaders. Many of these were teachers of mine - all of whom I knew to be of great virtue.
I couldn’t believe it! I still don’t want to. How can this be? Mike? The most integral man I thought I knew, minus Jesus? This cannot be true!
Over the next few months, additional information would surface. It still is. I do my best to listen to both sides of the story. After all, what do I know? I’m a decade and some change removed from IHOP and there are folks with far more access than myself. I carefully observe as a civil war brews within the walls of IHOPKC. As for the outsiders… I wish Jesus had as many friends as He does fanatics.
Recently, I listened to a podcast ‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Have you not already, I highly recommend hearing it out. It documents how Mars Hill, Seattle got to be the megastar it was - add to that, how it crumbled down to nothing, seemingly overnight. Those on the outside were astonished at how something which seemed to be going so well, bearing so much fruit, could collapse just as it did. Those on the inside, however, had a painful and altogether detailed tale to tell.
The ELT is IHOP’s executive leadership team. These are the ones calling the shots regarding how to deal with the accusations coming forth. From what I gather; of the three times they chose a 3rd party to investigate this situation, two of these times did they elect a law firm specializing in the acquittal of ministries from the blame placed upon them. Once, did they turn to a lawyer, a current and avid participant within the IHOP community. Three times did the advocate group reject their proposal. Understandable to me, their reasons for doing so.
IHOP’s ELT seemingly aims to hire the same group to defend them as will be leading the investigation. Easy to imagine how such a case would fare. Will the bigger questions please stand up? What are they trying to hide? And why?
Further frustrating the matter is IHOP’s talking head firing accusations back at the advocate group, blaming them for “stonewalling”. What has become of the ministry I used to love so well?
I wouldn’t say I’m angry. Not for my own sake, anyway. I would say, as so many others have genuinely expressed, I am sincerely disappointed.
While some are demanding justice, others are pleading for humility. Perhaps God is looking for both? And what does this look like? Lord? Help us to follow You in the way You desire to be followed. Align us with Your heart for justice. Allow not bitterness to enter in. Guard us from a war against flesh and blood. Set the captives free. We trust You to speak. Thank You for the grace to listen and the boldness to carry out Your word.
It’s a question without a question mark. Again sorry.
That went before I pressed go. Sorry.