Supporters call for worldwide fast for ousted IHOPKC founder. Here's what to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The fast was organized by The Kansas City Friends of Mike Bickle through Grandview Fellowship for May 1-7.
- A February 2025 third-party report found Bickle committed abuse or misconduct against 17 women, including minors.
- Survivors and former leaders say the fast is evidence Bickle is mounting a comeback.
A house church in Grandview is calling for a worldwide week of prayer and fasting for the “heaven-ordained destiny” of Mike Bickle, the International House of Prayer-Kansas City founder, who was ousted over a sex abuse scandal.
Sex abuse survivors and former IHOPKC supporters say the effort is evidence that the fallen charismatic leader is trying to orchestrate a comeback.
FULL STORY: 7-day fast aims to support ousted IHOPKC founder. Critics say he’s mounting comeback
Here are key takeaways:
• The fast is scheduled for May 1-7, which is IHOPKC’s 27th anniversary. It was organized by “The Kansas City Friends of Mike Bickle” through Grandview Fellowship, a house church meeting at the home of former IHOPKC staffers Clay and Sarah Edwards.
• IHOPKC announced in December 2023 it was “permanently” separating from Bickle after allegations that he used prophecies to groom, sexually abuse and manipulate women over multiple decades. A third-party investigation released in February 2025 found Bickle committed sexual abuse or misconduct against 17 women — including minors.
• Tammy Woods, who alleged Bickle sexually abused her starting in the 1980s when she was 14, called the fast’s reference to his victims as “the press of darkness” deplorable.
• Former IHOPKC senior leader Elizabeth Herder said Bickle “likely orchestrated this new ‘fast for breakthrough’ while making his followers believe it’s their idea.”
• Last September, a team of church leaders and professional therapists said Bickle should be permanently disqualified from any kind of church leadership position.
• Bickle, Clay Edwards and IHOPKC Executive Director Joseph Taylor did not respond to requests for comment.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.