Explained: Who is Mike Bickle and what are the allegations against him?

The founder of the International House of Prayer Mike Bickle sexually abused 17 people, while his ministry engaged in a cover-up. That’s according to a new independent investigation whose report was released this week

Mike Bickle first came to prominence as one of the so-called Kansas City Prophets in the 1980s. This amorphous group became well-known among Christian leaders in the charismatic renewal movement, with a big emphasis on prophecy, a recovery of apostolic leadership and the supernatural. In 1999, Bickle set up the Internaional House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC), based around the vision of a 24/7 prayer room. IHOPKC has since grown to include a college of 1,000 students, a music label, conferences and multiple other worshipping sites across Missouri.

Allegations of sexual misconduct against Bickle first arose in 2023. These were initially dismissed by IHOPKC, but after several more women came forward, IHOPKC eventually cut ties with Bickle and commissioned their own investigation. 

That investigation concluded it was “more likely than not” that the allegations were true, but many victims and survivors refused to participate in it because they feared it was not truly independent of IHOPKC and its leaders, who had initially protected Bickle. 

Now a third-party inquiry totally independent of IHOPKC has concluded Bickle’s misconduct went even further, and that his ministry tried to cover it up.

The most recent investigation has just concluded. What did it find?

After speaking to more than 210 people, including 32 who described themselves as victims and survivors, and reviewing more than 6,000 documents, Firefly concluded…