Charismatic minister and founder of the International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC), Mike Bickle, has 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.”

In October, three former senior leaders of the prayer movement released a statement saying they had been made aware of serious allegations spanning several decades against Bickle. They said they had found the allegations of "clergy sexual abuse to be credible and long-standing". They said they were based on the testimonies of "several victims."

Addressing the allegations for the first time in a statement on social media, Bickle said:

“With a very heavy heart I want to express how deeply grieved I am that my past sins have led to so much pain, confusion, and division in the body of Christ in this hour. I sadly admit that 20+ years ago, I sinned by engaging in inappropriate behaviour — my moral failures were real. I am not admitting to the more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting.” He went on to describe some allegations as "blatantly false".

In his statement, Bickle apologised for how the situation had affected his family and ministry, and he asked people not to come to his defence online:

“Some may wonder why I am just now making a public statement 20+ years later? It is because I was recently confronted about things that I said or did 20+ years ago—things I believed were dealt with and under the blood of Jesus. Since this has now become public, I want to repent publicly.”

Bickle, who is 68, is a major figure in charismatic Christianity, and his prayer movement has encouraged hundreds of “houses of prayer” around the world. He says he won't be engaging in his public preaching ministry for "an extended season".

IHOPKC has announced a third-party investigation into the allegations.