Francis Chan Apologizes for Mike Bickle Endorsement
Francis Chan, a popular pastor and bestselling author, has apologized for his past endorsement of the former head of International House of Prayer Kansas City, and other fallen leaders. “For the sake of clarity, please know that of course I do not continue to endorse people like Mike Bickle who have been caught in unrepentant immorality,” he said.
Chan said he has been convicted recently by biblical passages warning that people will give an account for “every careless word,” prompting him to reflect on his own speech and leadership after more than four decades of teaching the Bible, according to the Christian Post. He said he has received repeated requests in recent years to publicly address leaders he once endorsed who were later exposed for wrongdoing.
Over his 40 years in ministry, he said he has seen “hundreds of leaders fall,” with scandals involving immorality, false prophecies and greed. “Each time, it feels like a kick in the stomach,” Chan wrote. “Years of immorality are uncovered, false prophesies are exposed or greed is brought to light.”
Chan said scripture teaches that when a leader falls, the sin should be exposed publicly so others are not misled. At the same time, he said, modern expectations for public denunciations differ from earlier eras of ministry, when it was assumed that prior endorsements no longer applied once wrongdoing became known.
“I understand that some people see it as apathetic or irresponsible to refrain from commenting on these situations,” Chan said. “But I would ask you to consider that after issues have been disclosed about someone, there may be some of us who remain silent, not because we don’t care, but because we believe there is already too much focus and discussion about these people. I’ve seen leaders get pressured by others to say things that God may not be leading them to say. I have fallen into this trap as well.”
According to the Roys Report, “A third-party investigation last February found Bickle sexually abused 17 women over decades. In November 2023, Bickle was accused of using prophecy to sexually abuse a 19-year-old woman. Two more women came forward, saying Bickle groomed and sexually abused them beginning when they were 14 and 15.”
Chan said that before working with Bickle, he had conversations with Bickle’s wife, IHOPKC leaders and other pastors who had known him for decades, and the consistent testimony he received described Bickle as a man of strong character and devotion. He also consulted ministry leaders outside the charismatic tradition before agreeing to speak at an IHOPKC event and heard no concerns about Bickle’s character at that time. The elders said they reviewed public criticisms of IHOPKC but found no verifiable evidence of moral misconduct before 2023.
Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power involving Bickle surfaced in the fall of 2023, leading to investigations and public scrutiny of the ministry. Bickle acknowledged “inappropriate behavior” in December 2023 while denying more serious sexual allegations. A 68-page report later released by the independent sexual abuse investigation firm Firefly concluded that Bickle used predatory tactics and spiritual manipulation to sexually abuse at least 17 females, including minors.
–Alan Goforth
