STAND WITH US: Open Letter to the MIKEBICKLES

THIS PETITION IS FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IHOPKC NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS WITH INTEGRITY. STAND WITH US! 

An open letter to IHOPKC and its leadership:

We are voices that have filled your sanctuary, past and present.

We are voices who have learned to weep with those who weep.

As a collective of former staff, students, and dedicated members of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, we stand with a multitude of concerned voices responding to the recent allegations of clergy misconduct by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle.

We believe the gravity of these allegations cannot be understated, nor adequately addressed should they be handled by parties that may carry the appearance of vested interests or potential biases. The integrity of the IHOPKC organization and the wellbeing of its members hinge on a process that assures impartiality, thoroughness, and transparency.

We urge the IHOPKC leadership to prayerfully consider taking the following steps in order to show their commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice:

1. We officially call on IHOPKC to cease use of a law firm and instead invite an organization like Guidepost to conduct a true third-party investigation into the sexual abuse allegations and the systemic environment at IHOPKC in order to protect the interests of the alleged victims and current congregants. Furthermore, we implore IHOPKC to allow that organization publicly publish their findings without restriction by IHOPKC or its leadership.
2. Openly provide the resources below and direct individuals to said resources instead of the pastoral care team, given the conflict of interest and bias that team would have in the current situation, especially for those who may have allegations to disclose but have not come forward yet.

Kansas City Police Department: Call (816) 234-5220 or email sexcrimes@kcpd.org MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault): Call the crisis hotline at (816) 531-0233 in Missouri or (913) 642-0233 in Kansas. Kansas Crisis Hotline: Call (888) 363-2287 DRZ Law: Call (913) 400-2033 to request a free case evaluation.