Heaven Bent

02/03/2024

AN UPDATE. 💛

My next S4 bonus episode is being delayed because of circumstances beyond my control. If it was up to me, you would have heard it in January.

In the meantime, this season’s timely spotlight on has led to an increasing number of women coming to me, behind the scenes, with stories of alleged grooming & SA against men, other than IHOP’s founding-leader, . These men are actively in ministry and could still be abusing women today, and, if guilty, all have the kinds of ministries that would appear to give them easy and renewable access to young women & girls.

What does one do with all this sorrowful information? Somedays I feel a sense of panic, but also, always, a sense of duty.

I didn’t come hunting for stories like this. I started Heaven Bent to investigate claims of God-given gold molars, in my childhood church. But here I am. And there is much work to be done.

28/02/2024

It’s , a day to take a stand against bullying. I didn’t have a pink shirt handy, but I think my hot pink coat should make my message clear. Be kind or get blocked. 💓

24/02/2024

As I widen my spotlight on to include a nearby charistmatic ministry called "The Farm" (see previous post), one of the most common questions--or even accusations, I've been getting is, "What do these places even have to do with each other?"

Hoping to squash that line of questioning, and move on to more important matters, here's some sermon notes, from 2002, in which he mentions the farm's co-founder, Rhonda Calhoun, in connection with IHOP's "prophetic history."

*I'll link to the full sermon notes in the comments below.

23/02/2024

It’s pretty much daily now; a new person reaching out to me with grave concerns about “the farm”, in Holden, Missouri.

Is it a dangerous end-times prepping cult? Several former members tell me they believe it is.

What I do know for sure? There are at least 3 different alleged victims of grooming and SA, and 2 different abusers. And Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating.

did not respond to my requests for comment; instead released a statement via FB calling the claims “attacks” and suggesting they are all lies. 🧐

11/02/2024

Do you know about “The Farm?”

Tonight, Harvest Home, a healing ministry with -roots, released this statement, addressing allegations its currently facing. The claims include serious sexual & spiritual abuses, and are being made not by “someone” but numerous women, some of whom have already gone to police.

*Anyone with a complaint of mistreatment at Harvest Home is asked to contact Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, in Missouri. The investigation is active & ongoing.

I first heard about Harvest Home last year, when one of the alleged victims reached out. Since then I’ve heard from at least 2 more (I’m told there are others), plus a gravely-concerned mother who says her daughter is still at the farm today.

I’ve never posted publicly about anything that I am only myself still vetting and researching , but this feels pressing and urgent, so, join me.

Let’s put a spotlight on the farm.

If the allegations ARE “100% false, as its board of directors says, we’ll discover swiftly, or in time, that all these women are lying.

https://harvesthome.org/

10/02/2024

Boz Tchividjian joins the call for to permanently close its doors. He’s the lawyer representing the initial Jane Doe.

10/02/2024

Don’t forget to click the hyperlinks in the new Roys Report on . One of them features a recent email where says the newest allegations against him are “false”.

The article provides new details regarding a 3rd woman’s public-claim that he groomed and sexually abused them as teenagers.

https://julieroys.com/third-woman-says-mike-bickle-groomed-sexually-abused-her-beginning-at-age-15/

09/02/2024

*An apology tonight from leadership, a day after the allegations against founding-leader grew to include grooming and sexually abusing his family’s babysitter, starting when she was 14.

“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 hindsight, we realize that Mike’s two Friday night messages on October 13th and 20th were manipulative attempts to construct a narrative of innocence concerning himself. We deeply regret allowing him on the platform, and we acknowledge and apologize for the pain and confusion this caused.

Additionally, our staff meeting on October 27th lacked the necessary disclosure and candor to meet the gravity of the situation. For this, we also apologize.

Many in our community have been pained by our communications regarding these allegations. We are sorry we fell short in this area and left you feeling unseen, unheard and unappreciated. We thank you for your patience and perseverance in spite of our shortcomings. As a leadership team, we are committed to do better.

Words are insufficient to communicate the pain and anguish many have born in this and prior seasons as a result of Mike Bickle’s wrongdoings. Our hope and prayer is that victims in our community, and in any community, find solace and healing through the mercy of Christ.

The IHOPKC Leadership Team”

09/02/2024

This just in. 🖤

The Global Prayer Room will continue 24/7, but in light of this season of mourning and repentance, we will not be live-streaming all sets. Join us in the prayer room or online daily at 10am and 4pm CT beginning February 12.

08/02/2024

But do they invalidate the prophetic movement…? 🧐

08/02/2024

“…In 1983, explicitly told me of a prophecy regarding the death of his wife Diane…and the implication of sharing the prophecy with me was that her death would open a path forward for him and I to pursue a romantic relationship together.” ~ TH, one of the original “Jane Does”, in her first public statement



*Released today via Jedidiah Hartley on X

08/02/2024

“ is a false prophet and a charlatan. He treated the body of Christ as useful, and the bodies of women as vice. Better for a millstone to have been tied around his neck…let the reader understand.” ~ Joel Sorge, pastor & former member of , reacting to newly-surfaced allegation that Mike groomed and sexually abused his family’s 14-year old babysitter

08/02/2024

In the The Kansas City Star tonight… 😳

07/02/2024

The call for charismatic leader Lou Engle to publicly comment on allegations against his friend have been loud & long. But considering disparaging comments he’s recently made about the movement, his new statement surprised me. You?

04/02/2024

“...I don’t think ’s really in crisis-mode anymore. You know, is separated. They realize there is a lot of deficiencies in the organization that need to change; they’re doing that. I mean really the only crisis aspect to this is just the continued bombardment coming from the outside.” ~ former spokesperson Eric Volz, in a new video reflecting on his time representing this embattled community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJ87K3nk1M&t=1s

01/02/2024

“…That conversation left a lasting impression on my young mind, causing me to conclude that Jesus’ return was so imminent that I would need to marry by the age of 15 if I were to enjoy what I then viewed as wedlock’s most valuable benefit.

My recent discussions with those who grew up in revealed that they too adopted accelerated life timelines. Some devalued college and delayed the pursuit of careers under the assumption that Christ’s return would preempt their necessity.”

~ Stephen Deere, reflecting on a childhood encounter with one of the so-called , part of his insightful new piece on the crisis that continues to unfold in this community:

https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/the-house-of-prayer-is-burning-freedom?utm_campaign=post&fbclid=IwAR2s6F-5PWkMms0slAWVDLuP7jUrlv30DB_fyvqfa3Aor30Il6NKWnkKszw

01/02/2024

Any parting words for Eric Volz? He served as the spokesperson since December 2023, amidst this organization’s ongoing crisis.

01/02/2024

"The truth is that is a safe place. It's a safe place for families and for children...." Eric Volz, IHOPKC spokesperson, upon the release of an investigation by Rosalee McNamara of Lathrop GPM

28/01/2024

“We were called false prophets. We were called ravenous wolves…and we saw ourselves as an advocacy group” ~ Gary, grad & former staff member, on what it's like to see a new generation of advocates emerge, during this community's latest crisis, an outtake from the upcoming episode of Heaven Bent

27/01/2024

"When the ELT gets on stage, it's all men..." ~ Kendall, IHOPU grad and former staff member, sharing his reflections on culture for an upcoming episode

*When I have a publishing date, I'll let you know. Until then, some food for thought. 💛

26/01/2024

Something to chew on ahead of my next S4 bonus episode on , which focuses on the 2014 mediation process betwen a group of 5 former students & staff and executive leadership, at the time. Their grievances included: mean & abusive behaviour, bullying, disciplinary alienation, violation of personal boundaries, controlling of domestic sphere, and prophetic manipulation.

*This is the mediators' executive summary:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SDLjPS5-0431yuKeMsZI_WM0jYPTJTqt/view?usp=sharing

24/01/2024

“I’m convinced you look more guilty than not. And for the first time, you look like a cult leader.” ~ former leader Allen Hood, on confronting for the first time on allegations of clergy sexual abuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w7EgLqA2Mc&t=1252s

24/01/2024

"There was a level of believing that he didn't have the ability to be sexually inappropriate, because so many of his inappropriate behaviors were done in broad-daylight, like I saw him play footsies with girls under the table. And I thought, 'That is really, really stupid, but Mike he doesn't get it. He didn't get thats inappropriate.' So I gave him a pass on so many things because I thought, 'That's just Mike, he does stupid things.' Now I realize what was done in the daytime was to really hide what was done in the dark." ~ Jennifer Roberts, on allegations of clergy sexual abuse against , part of today's data-dump from the primary advocate group

https://www.facebook.com/realdwayneroberts/posts/pfbid02DRyJ144EkXZesWZ9aAHaspJ3jqNQH4TzBvpKupDdXhQ1hv9bCnQsrXsELLgTCscKl

23/01/2024

Is there a nefarious plot to bring down ? Misty Edwards thinks so. She is 's most well-known worship leader and she's speaking out amidst unrelenting accusations that Mike is guilty of clergy sexual abuse, regarding multiple women, over his entire ministry.

22/01/2024

On the next episode of Heaven Bent, we go back in time to April 1st, 2014. How did , and other members of the ELT, respond to a formal presentation of serious grievances from a group of 5 former students & staff? And, can any comparisons be made to how IHOP is responding to complaints today...?

22/01/2024

Former leader Dwayne Roberts “triggered a global crisis in the ,” according to new commentary by International House of Prayer spokesperson Eric Volz