All Soul Survivor articles
-
InterviewsNew Wine trustee Bishop Jill Duff: ‘I’m sad Mike Pilavachi hasn’t apologised’
An independent review into the links between Mike Pilavachi and New Wine has found that senior leaders at New Wine failed to ensure that Pilavachi was fit for youth ministry. Premier’s Kelly Valencia speaks to Rt Rev Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster and chair of trustees of New Wine, about the findings
-
OpinionFrom Harrods to the Church, we must stand up to abusive leaders
The culture that allowed allegations of rape against Mohamed Al Fayed to go unchallenged for so long must change, says Susie Flashman Jarvis. And the Church must learn those same lessons, too
-
OpinionA generation of young people have been let down - and not just by Mike Pilavachi
As the Scolding Report reveals institutional failings and warns of a culture of silence, Andrew Graystone says it’s time for church leaders to speak to those who have been hurt by Soul Survivor and its founder’s actions
-
News Analysis‘Hiding in plain sight’ As the Mike Pilavachi report alleges abuse, here are the lessons to learn
Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi manipulated, controlled, and mistreated young people under his spiritual care, a new independent report has stated. Fiona Scolding’s report confirms the findings of previous investigations. It also contains many potential lessons for the wider Church, reports Heather Tomlinson
-
Magazine FeaturesSoul Survivors: The inside story of how Mike Pilavachi's abuse was uncovered
Megan Cornwell has spent the past twelve months investigating one of the most shocking scandals to hit the UK evangelical Church in recent years. Here she explains what her reporting for Premier Christianity’s critically acclaimed podcast series has uncovered
-
Interviews‘There was a lot of psychological bullying’. Matt and Beth Redman on Mike Pilavachi abuse
Matt and Beth Redman’s new film Let There Be Light explores the emotional abuse the couple experienced at the hands of Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi. They spoke to Megan Cornwell about why they made it, and what they hope will change in the Church
-
Regular ColumnistsAre you in a cult?
Questions are healthy. If you’re in an environment where voicing doubts is forbidden, then watch out, says Rend Collective’s Chris Llewellyn. You could be in a cult
-
Opinion'I'm still healing from what happened at Soul Survivor'
When Kye* joined the staff team at Soul Survivor, he was a passionate believer in the ministry's values and mission. But his early optimism was soon dented by what he calls a "culture of control" overseen by the church's leader, Mike Pilavachi. Ahead of the release of Premier Christianity's new investigative podcast series, 'Soul Survivors', Kye shares his own story
-
OpinionDavid Pytches (1931-2023): Bishop, charismatic pioneer and father in the faith
Rt Rev David Pytches, founder of New Wine and former vicar of St Andrews, Chorleywood, has died aged 92. Greg Downes pays tribute to a pioneer of charismatic renewal within the Anglican church
-
OpinionSoul Survivors: Your questions answered
A new podcast from Premier Christianity promises to shed light on the scandal surrounding Mike Pilavachi in order to help the Church heal and move forward. Here’s what you need to know about how and why we are covering this story
-
OpinionHas a Christian leader let you down? Here are 6 ways to respond
When our own Christian journey has been significantly impacted by a leader who fails, it can leave us reeling. Here’s six ways we can process the pain while hanging onto our faith and looking to Jesus
-
News AnalysisInvestigation finds Mike Pilavachi 'used spiritual authority to control people'. What happens now?
The Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team has said Mike Pilavachi used his spiritual authority to “control” people, and this led to inappropriate relationships, including “massaging of young male interns”. But questions remain, and more investigations are set to take place. Megan Cornwell reports on what’s likely to happen next
-
OpinionThe silence from Christian leaders on Mike Pilavachi is hurting victims
11 days on from the investigation that concluded Mike Pilavachi “used his spiritual authority to control people”, many of his colleagues in ministry have remained silent - or tried to minimise their connection with him. Jane Chevous says the Church must do better
-
News AnalysisUpdate: CofE substantiates allegations in Mike Pilavachi investigation
The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team has released its initial findings into allegations against Mike Pilavachi
-
OpinionUCCF investigation: Can Christian orgs be trusted to mark their own homework?
Two directors have been suspended from the organisation that oversees Christian Unions in the UK. Having read the statements, Tanya Marlow is concerned that UCCF's investigation may not be as independent as has been suggested. She believes a change of approach is needed
-
News AnalysisThe Church of England's safeguarding crisis explained
Survivors are losing trust in the Church of England's ability to do justice in cases of abuse, while a leading bishop says his name has been unfairly “besmirched”. Rosie Dawson has the full story
-
OpinionPoor reporting on Soul Survivor is damaging for everyone - alleged victims included
Media coverage of Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor has lumped serious safeguarding allegations together with vague and nonsensical claims about the festival in general. It distracts from the allegations and does any potential victims no favours, says Tim Wyatt
-
Magazine FeaturesWhen God says yes…then no
Have you ever seen a dream die? Been so absolutely sure that something was right – that God himself was behind it – only to see it fail? That’s what happened to Martin Saunders, and it took his faith to the edge
