Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi manipulated, controlled, and mistreated young people under his spiritual care, engaging in inappropriate behaviour such as giving massages to young men in private and coercing them into wrestling sessions, a new independent report has revealed.
Commissioned by Soul Survivor Watford, the review found that Pilavachi’s actions caused deep psychological harm to many and were enabled by a lack of oversight within the organisation.
In April 2023, the 66-year-old stepped down as associate pastor at Soul Survivor Watford following the emergence of safeguarding allegations against him. The Church of England’s National Safeguarding (NST) then launched a four-month joint investigation into the safeguarding concerns with the Diocese of St Albans.
The investigation substantiated concerns that Pilavachi had used his spiritual authority to "control people", leading to "inappropriate relationships, the physical wrestling of youths, and massaging of young male interns". The independent inquiry by Fiona Scolding KC has expanded on these findings.
The report describes a “typical pattern” wherein Pilavachi befriended young men, often identifying their leadership potential and fostering close, intense relationships through regular communication and mentorship. He would invite them to intern, work, or volunteer at Soul Survivor, spending significant one-on-one time discussing personal matters and promising career advancement. However, he would abruptly withdraw after a period of closeness, leaving the young men confused and hurt.
Pilavachi admitted to the behaviour but denied specific allegations, acknowledging that "too many people" had commented on it for "there not to be some truth".
This intense relationships led, in some cases, to wrestling and massages. Regarding the wrestling sessions, the report notes that it is “impossible to ascertain Mr Pilavachi’s true motivations" but concludes that the behaviour was "inappropriate and harmful".
The wrestling continued throughout the 2000s and possibly into the 2010s. Interns and junior staff appeared to accept that being wrestled by Pilavachi was a sign of his favour, leading to a failure of organisational culture where concerns did not reach senior leadership or trustees.
This was the experience of Beki and Jonas, who shared their stories on Premier's Soul Survivors podcast. They recalled initially feeling supported but later being ostracised and ignored by Mike Pilavachi during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Jonas also mentioned an incident in which he wrestled with Pilavachi at his house when he was 20 years old. Although it didn’t seem inappropriate to him at the time, he now finds it unsettling. Reflecting on it, Jonas said: "That’s part of what I’ve been thinking about lately: Why did it take me so long to realise that was wrong? It was inappropriate at the very least, right? If it had been anyone else, we’d have said: ‘Wait a minute, that just doesn’t feel right.’"
He continued: "The question I’m left with is: What if Mike had actually discipled all these young men? I think about the potential impact of that. It seems like there were hundreds of us. Imagine what that could have done for the Church if we had been discipled well. Why did it have to be this way?"
On the topic of massages, the report details that they ranged from “shoulder rubs fully clothed in a public place to one-on-one massages in private”. At least nine individuals reported receiving such massages, often viewed by others as Pilavachi’s “favourites”. Most of these massages occurred in the early 2000s at Pilavachi’s home. One man, interviewed on Premier’s Soul Survivors podcast, described being asked to strip down to his underwear for an "oiled-up" massage, saying it left him feeling "deeply uncomfortable".
Although some individuals reported feeling uncomfortable during these massages, they did not express this to Pilavachi, indicating a sense of shame surrounding the experience. The report notes that two individuals perceived the massages to have a sexual nature, a claim which Pilavachi “vehemently” denies. While he accepts that massages took place, he strongly denies any inappropriate contact or sexual gratification from them.
The report highlights that Pilavachi was advised to stop the massages in 2008, but no serious action was taken. Senior leaders like Bishop Graham Cray were aware of allegations by 2016 but failed to intervene effectively. It concludes that it was “almost impossible” that church leadership was unaware of Pilavachi’s actions between 2004 and 2007, suggesting that disciplinary action should have been taken earlier.
The report highlights that some of the men who were massaged later attained senior roles within the church or Soul Survivor Ministries but did not take action to stop the continuation of such behaviour. This lack of action reflects poorly on the culture of the church and its ministries, the report says.
The report also recounts instances where Pilavachi was confronted about his behaviour by leaders Pete and Tim Hughes, who were "ostracised", ultimately leaving the church as a result. Some have indicated that Pilavachi used this episode to elicit loyalty and communicate that such concerns would lead to ostracism. The report argues that Pilavachi’s behaviour “ought to have been known to at least some trustees and those in positions of leadership”, with evidence that concerns were raised as early as 2004.
While the concerns may not have been classified as safeguarding issues, they were significant pastoral and employment matters that should have been addressed. The report states: “Mr Pilavachi’s limitations in this area should have been picked up on by trustees and those in positions of leadership and addressed".
The report identifies themes, noting an “institutional defensiveness” within the Church leadership and trustees. It advocates for a shift in management to create greater accountability and transparency through robust organisational structures. The report also highlights that the “culture begun under Mr Pilavachi has not yet dissipated,” exemplified by the controversial employment of Rev Simon Nicholls, which raises questions about the Church’s commitment to move away from past failures.
To foster cultural change, trustees should seek expert guidance, establish safe complaint channels, and enforce fixed terms for trustees. The Church of England is urged to standardise Ministerial Developmental Reviews and ensure training addresses power dynamics. Overall, the report stresses the need for a safer, more accountable church environment focused on member welfare.
Ultimately, the report emphasises that those most affected by Pilavachi’s behaviour have experienced profound hurt, leading to lasting consequences for their mental health, employment, relationships, and self-worth. Many who outwardly appeared successful described themselves as “broken” by their experiences, with some requiring professional help for emotional distress and anxiety, while others found themselves unable to work for extended periods.
In a statement, Soul Survivor Watford apologised, acknowledging their failure to address Pilavachi’s behaviour and admitting that governance failures allowed him to act unchecked. They expressed regret to those who raised concerns and were ignored.