Top of the Week: Stephen Strang: Let Investigation Find the Truth on Mike Bickle
Following are snippets of the top stories posted over the past week on cn.mycharisma.com. We encourage you to visit the links to read the stories in full.
Stephen Strang: Let Investigation Find the Truth on Mike Bickle
Some leaders at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City have called for an independent, third-party investigation into charges of “clergy sexual abuse” brought last week against Mike Bickle who founded the ministry.
I wholeheartedly agree with the need for an independent investigation because the truth must come out, and often it’s hard to find the truth when those investigating have a vested interest in the outcome. Mike Bickle and IHOPKC have stood for holiness and seemed to be a paragon of virtue in a culture (and church) that has seen too much compromise.
The charges seem serious, yet at least two, who were originally thought to be “victims,” say it isn’t true. While I am not doing an investigation and I’m certainly not judge and jury, I hope what I’ve found so far will at least show there is “another side” and urge Christians not to rush to judgment. By no means am I seeking to hurt, victimize or minimize those who have come forward. Rather I am seeking to provide some personal context and insight into a very emotional and confusing moment for so many. I shared this in my Strang Report video podcast you can watch here.
IHOPKC Announces Path Forward Amid Allegations
At the 11:00 a.m. CST service on Sunday, Nov. 4, Executive Director of International House of Prayer-Kansas City Stuart Greaves announced the path forward for IHOPKC and its congregants.
During this trying time for the church and organization, 24-hour prayer and worship will continue unabated as IHOPKC continues to carry out the Great Commission.
Greaves assured all listening that it is IHOPKC’s goal to look after the people first, not the organization.
Times Square to Witness Historic Mass Deliverance and Revival
New York City’s Times Square will erupt in praise and worship at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6th.
Led by Pastor Mike Signorelli of V1 Church in New York City, the event will feature fellow revivalists and deliverance ministers Greg Locke, Alexander Pagani, Jenny Weaver and many others.
It’s happening#TimesSquare 6:00pm EST #DominoRevival pic.twitter.com/5f9lIgoj4h
— Mike Signorelli (@mikesignorelli_) November 6, 2023
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A Word of Encouragement for Those Rocked by the Allegations Against Mike Bickle
It was absolutely shocking to learn this past weekend that serious allegations had been brought against Mike Bickle, senior leader of IHOPKC. (This stands for International House of Prayer, Kansas City.)
Mike is a personal friend and, to my knowledge, a beautiful example of devotion to Jesus. He spent hours daily in prayer and the Word, lived very simply, donating large amounts of money to the gospel, and always embraced a message of repentance and purity. How could the charges be true?
Right now, we must pray for everything to come to light through proper, due process, and no conclusions should be drawn until then.
Carlton Pearson’s Tragic Journey to Deception
Carlton Pearson, the Pentecostal bishop who was labeled a heretic by his peers because he rejected the authority of the Bible, is now “at death’s door” according to a video he posted last week from his hospital bed. The 70-year-old preacher, who has battled prostate cancer off and on for years, was put under hospice care a few days ago.
From his deathbed, Pearson smiled and told his followers he would see them in heaven. But will he? I’m glad I’m not the one to decide that. But I wouldn’t want to be in this man’s shoes as he steps into eternity.
In the 1980s, Pearson was one of the most recognized preachers in America. Raised in the Church of God in Christ, and mentored by evangelist Oral Roberts, Pearson established his Higher Dimensions Christian Center near Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pearson’s popular Azusa conferences attracted thousands to Tulsa every year, and his church grew to 5,000 members at its peak. {eoa}
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