News by email Donate

Suggestions

Mike Bickle banner.jpg
Mike Bickle.jpg
International House of Prayer
World News

International House of Prayer in ‘anger, shock, heartbreak,’ after fresh sexual abuse allegations against Mike Bickle

by Tola Mbakwe

International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC) has said its saddened to learn that its founder, who it severed ties with in December 2023, is facing new allegations of sexual abuse.

A woman named Tammy Woods has told Kansas City Star that Mike Bickle abused her more than 20 years ago.

She told the newspaper that her family attended Bickle’s church in St Louis, Missouri. After meeting Bickle at a church member’s potluck at the age of 14, Woods soon began babysitting Bickle’s two young sons.

Woods, now 57, shared details of alleged inappropriate kissing and touching from Bickle, that began when he was 25-years-old and married.

“He would kiss my neck, he would kiss my cheeks, he would kiss my forehead”, she told the newspaper.

“But the first kiss was in my house. He kind of pulled me into my bathroom. And he kissed me like a man kisses a woman”.

She added: “He did touch me. And so he moved my hand to touch him sexually. And he did touch me in return.”

Woods explained that the two developed a relationship with both a nature of spiritual mentorship and romance.

She explained that Bickle would ask her to call him during her lunch hour at school. She said they would discuss books he was reading and how much he missed her.

Woods told the newspaper that during their secret relationship, Bickle would ask for forgiveness from her and God and had said “we can’t do this again”.

Bickle moved to Kansas City in 1983 and Woods said they stayed in contact from time to time, but in 1996 told her they “needed to cut things completely off”.

This isn’t the first sexual abuse allegations against the now 68year-old.

Last November, a woman wanting to be known as Jane Doe, told The Roys Report that at the age of 19, her and Bickle had engaged in sexual interactions in Kansas City from 1996-1999.

A month later, Bickle admitted to “inappropriate behaviour” and “moral failures” more than 20 years ago. But he said he didn't admit to "the more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting.”

IHOPKC permanently ended any affiliation with Bickle in December.

In light of the new damning accusations, IHOPKC released a statement on Friday expressing their sadness.

“Words cannot express the anger, shock, heartbreak, and sadness we have experienced as we have learned of allegations and testimonies of sexual abuse and manipulation concerning Mike Bickle, founder of IHOPKC.

“We believe that Mike Bickle sexually abused and manipulated Jane Doe and Tammy Woods, who was a minor at the time. His predatory and abusive actions are sick and violate the Word of God, the marriage covenant, and holiness; we condemn them in their entirety”.

In December, IHOPKC hired a firm to investigate the allegations.

A report outlining the findings released last week said: “Based on all the credible evidence, including his own acknowledgements of contact with the two Jane Does over twenty years ago, it is more likely than not that [Bickle] engaged in inappropriate behaviour including sexual contact and clergy misconduct, in an abuse of power for a person in a position of trust and leadership”.

Woods’ allegations were not involved in the report. She said has just recently talked about her experiences with Bickle with her family, pastor and the police.

Bickle has not publically responded to Woods’ claims.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate