KANSAS CITY (MO)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
September 11, 2024
By Rebecca Hopkins
The Messianic Jewish network Tikkun Global has commissioned a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and cover-up at the International House of Prayer-Kansas City (IHOPKC), Tikkun leaders announced today.
IHOPKC has not endorsed the investigation, but a group of advocates supporting alleged victims of IHOPKC Founder Mike Bickle has.
“With many other leaders in the Body of Messiah, we have felt that only a third-party independent investigation, where the results would be made public, could bring clarity and justice,” Tikkun said in its statement. “(W)e are entering this process in the hope that when the facts are verified, much healing could come to the Body of Christ.”
Starting last October, multiple women came forward and accused Bickle of sexually abusing them, beginning when some were just teenagers. The alleged victims also accused IHOPKC of mishandling their reports of abuse. And several refused to cooperate with a third-party investigation commissioned by IHOPKC, claiming it was biased and not truly independent.
In February, the investigation commissioned by IHOPKC found that Bickle “more likely than not” abused his power and engaged in “inappropriate behavior” with a “primary Jane Doe” victim. The investigation, conducted by Rosalee McNamara of the Lathrop Group, also found that Bickle had “sexual contact” with a “second Jane Doe.”
Tikkun has hired Jim Holler with Firefly Investigations for its investigation, the group announced. The probe will include alleged sexual misconduct by Bickle, other IHOPKC leaders, staff, interns, and students that was reported to IHOPKC, as well as IHOPKC’s handling of the misconduct from its founding in 1999 until present. Tikkun said it will make the result of its investigation public.
“(A)llegations of clergy sexual misconduct/abuse and cover-ups are serious in nature and cannot be ignored,” Tikkun stated.
Boz Tchivdjian, an attorney representing multiple victims, praised the “true independent investigation” on X today.
“I’m so happy that abuse survivors will finally have the opportunity to step forward to share their profoundly painful experiences in a safe space with investigators who know what they’re doing,” Tchividjian stated.
An Advocate Group (AG), comprised of 16 former IHOPKC leaders, also endorsed the investigation in a statement today.
“This past year has been long and painful as many victims and eyewitnesses to wrongdoing have come forward and told their stories publicly to journalists and privately to advocates,” the AG stated. “It has become increasingly evident to more and more that we need a trusted investigation where survivors can tell their stories to a trauma-informed investigator that establishes the facts and produces a public report.”
The announcement comes after nearly a year of failed negotiations between the AG and IHOPKC leaders to find a mutually acceptable investigative group, the AG announced.
“The past eleven months have also been particularly heartbreaking due to the repeated meetings with representatives of IHOPKC leadership who have continually stated they are open to a mutually agreed upon investigation but then, after long deliberations, have repeatedly not backed up their initial overtures with any agreement of substance,” the AG stated.
The AG signers of today’s statement include former IHOPKC leaders Dwayne and Jennifer Roberts; Wes and Amanda Martin; Allen, Rachel, Samuel and Maddie Hood; Peter and Elizabeth Herder; Jono and Shari Hall; John and Fran Chisholm; and Dean and Jeanie Briggs.
Tikkun’s statement said Tikkun leaders have met several times with IHOPKC leaders about an investigation. The IHOPKC board also interviewed the investigator. But due to “questions and concerns” that Tikkun didn’t specify IHOPKC chose not to endorse the investigation at this point, Tikkun stated.
IHOPKC’s press contact didn’t immediately respond to The Roys Report’s (TRR) request for comment.
In its statement, the AG said it didn’t want to be the party commissioning the investigation due to concerns about the investigation’s independence. However, the AG said it trusts Tikkun and believes IHOPKC trusts Tikkun, too.
“(I)t was felt that if IHOPKC did not commit, it would be difficult for us as the Advocate Group to be the contracting party for the investigator, since it would not be seen by many as not independent,” the AG stated. “We also do not want our history as former leaders of IHOPKC to inhibit any victims of sexual abuse and misconduct from sharing their stories with the investigator.”
Firefly stated its investigation will examine both criminal and non-criminal sexual misconduct. It will also look at “verbal, nonverbal and/or physical acts” done by someone with authority to a subordinate and actions relying on manipulation, deception, coercion, and intimidation.
Tikkun will provide updates, assess the final report, and try to raise the expected $100,000 cost of the investigation through donations processed by the National Christian Foundation (NCF), the group stated. Tikkun said it will also commission a team of men and women to offer corrective recommendations.
The members of Tikkun who signed the statement include Asher Intrater, Dan Juster, Richard Cleary, Melva Phelps, and Ron Cantor.
“Like many of you, we simply want to see the cloud dissipate and for clarity to emerge, so we can all move forward,” Tikkun stated.
Firefly’s lead investigator, Jim Holler, is a former police chief and speaker specializing in crimes against children. His investigative team employs current and retired law enforcement investigators, therapists, and forensic interviewers. Survivors’ names will be confidential, and will not be shared with IHOPKC, Tikkun, or the AG without a survivor’s consent, Firefly stated.
Tikkun has close ties to IHOPKC and has received donations from IHOPKC in the past but not now, Tikkun stated. Tikkun’s team leader is a Christian, but not part of charismatic culture, the group added.
“Any victims of sexual misconduct/abuse need to be heard, loved, and encouraged within proper channels that they can deem safe,” Tikkun said.
The group added that another goal of the investigation is to build a healthy future for those called to 24/7 prayer and ministry.
“We want to be 100% clear: we support the many precious saints who have chosen to remain at IHOPKC to continue to seek the Lord, day and night,” Tikkun stated. “We also support those who have chosen for varying reasons to leave IHOPKC and, perhaps, are seeking to participate in day and night worship and prayer in a different context. We acknowledge the enormous contribution IHOPKC has made to 24/7 prayer around the world. We know this has been a harrowing and confusing season for many of you.”
Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado.