International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC) has officially announced via press release the staggered closure of ministries in the wake of the sexual and spiritual abuse scandal involving founder Mike Bickle.
While reports the day prior to the press release had originated from emails and audio from IHOPKC sources, the organization has confirmed that certain closures are happening:
After much prayer and deliberation with the Board, we have come to the conclusion that we will wind down many of the ministry and training expressions of IHOPKC, including IHOPU, Forerunner Church, CEC, and Internships. Our ongoing focus as a ministry will remain on the 24/7 prayer room and intercession for Israel.
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The press release confirms that the reasoning for this is the unmitigated disaster that has been the revelation and response to the abuse suffered by those at the hands of Bickle, and the loss of funding as a result of it:
Some might ask how we got to this point. To be clear, this is more than a response to the crisis of the last six months. After thorough examination of all aspects of IHOPKC, we have determined that the need for reform and change is vast. Therefore, we are taking a course that is deliberate and intentional, though not easy.
The financial and personnel losses have not been without consequence, yet they are only a part of the deeper issues we must address in order to continue night and day prayer for future generations. The governance and structure of a Mission Base with a church, ministry school, ministries and hundreds of staff have been strained for several years and need reform. We believe now is the opportune time to address those challenges through a transition and reorganization process.
Stating that the call for 24/7 prayer remains, Executive Director Joseph Taylor explained in the release that the prayer room will be the primary focus for the foreseeable future, and the closings of the other areas of ministry will be done in stages:
This ministry has produced much fruit over the years, and we are profoundly grateful for those who pioneered, sowed, labored and believed in this people’s calling —a call that still remains. In the immediate season, it is clear that we need to focus on the prayer room as our primary assignment as the Lord gives us grace.
We are still navigating the details as many areas wind down. Not all ministries or areas will be on the same timeline, so this will take time. We are in a volatile environment, but we’re working day by day with the Board to finalize details and timelines.
Finally, Taylor assures the public that details on this major transition will be forthcoming in the days ahead as the timeline becomes more clear:
We care deeply about the IHOPKC staff, our local community, partners, friends abroad and our relationships with the international community and Israel. We plan to continue to share what we do know and communicate in the days ahead as details become clear.
As God brought restoration and healing between Joseph and his brothers who sold him into slavery (Gen. 50), so too do we pray that God brings about the same restoration, healing and justice for this community, the victims and all of those affected by this tragic series of events, and turns what the enemy meant for evil, into good.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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