The founder of International House of Prayer Kansas City has taken to social media to admit to inappropriate behaviour he committed over 20 years ago.
"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 this hour," said Mike Bickle in a statement he released last week.
He goes on to admit he 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). I hate my sin, and I see it as serious and grievous before a holy God."
Bickle says he quickly repented in a way that resulted in him receiving assurance from God, followed by a daily resolve to live holy in all of his ways.
"God graciously helped him respond in those times with a broken and contrite heart that was filled with godly sorrow," said Bickle in his statement. "To this day, I remain sorrowful about those past failures."
Mike reached out to the IHOPKC family, apologizing profusely for the pain he caused within the church and beyond.
"I asked my family for forgiveness. I now ask for forgiveness from the IHOPKC family and many in the body of Christ."
Many are asking why Bickle took over two decades to go public with his faults and apologize. He says it is because he was recently confronted about things that he said or did over 20-plus years ago, things he believed were dealt with and under the blood of Jesus.
"Since this has now become public, I want to repent publicly," said Bickle. "On October 28, 2023, I wrote the first draft of this statement, but at that very same time, false allegations of sexual abuse were being circulated against me. I was given legal advice to wait to make my statement public for several important reasons - including creating the misunderstanding that I was confessing to the false allegations that were circulating. I am very sorry that it took so long for this personal statement to come out."
He is asking his friends and family not to defend him as he deals with the allegations he is faced with.
"I have confidence that the Lord will speak concerning what HE sees and says about me in His timing. Please do not engage in debates on social media to defend me, and please do not criticize those voicing their disdain for me," said Bickle. "Please only speak blessing to them and about them."
Bickle will now step aside from preaching for the foreseeable future.
"I will look to other leaders to determine how long this season will last. It may be long, and it may even be permanent. I will only reengage in my public preaching ministry if God confirms it through others."
The International House of Prayer of Kansas City was founded by Mike in 1999.