We want to thank all of you who have contacted us to share concerns and seek clarification about our initial letter. We understand that this is a very painful, difficult, and delicate situation. We want this investigation to lead to true justice and genuine healing for so many of you. We know transparency is essential for a healthy process and resolution. We are committed to being transparent. We know trust and safety cannot be established apart from it. 

 

We have decided to establish this FAQ page, which will be updated as needed. Below are our answers to several questions that we have received. Most of the questions concern what was initially called the Judicial Review Team (JRT). The name has since been changed to the Pastoral Recommendation Team (PRT). Your responses helped us see that we did not effectively communicate the purpose of this team. Moreover, this caused unneeded fear, anxiety, and confusion. We are deeply sorry. 

 

We hired an investigator because we believe that victims of sexual misconduct/abuse need to be heard, loved, and encouraged within proper channels that they deem safe. This is why we chose an investigator with vast experience in sexual abuse cases. The PRT will not be re-investigating or re-interviewing victims but recommending discipline for perpetrators of sexual abuse or misconduct.

 

We thank and commend everyone who has shared their stories with the investigator. Trusting this process was a risk for you. It took tremendous courage. We hope others will feel safe enough to come forward as a path towards healing for you and many others in the Body of Christ.

 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please send them to investigation@tikkunglobal.org. 

 

What is the purpose of the PRT? 

 

The purpose of the PRT is to recommend disciplinary action, based on the investigator’s findings and evidence, for leaders who have engaged in either sexual misconduct/abuse and/or have covered up sexual abuse/misconduct. In 1 Timothy 5:17-20, New Testament elders are commissioned to govern the church’s affairs. This includes administering healthy, godly, and righteous discipline. Leaders are not above accountability but are to be even more accountable (James 3:1). 

 

Leaders who engage in sexual misconduct/abuse and/or covering up such acts need to be publicly disciplined (1 Tim 5:20) for the health and safety of the Body of Christ and their own spiritual health. This is the purpose of the PRT. The PRT is not being set up to judge victims but to help protect future victims.

 

We understand that many victims have had bad experiences with church leadership. Some of you have been shamed, not believed, and rebuked for coming against some “great leader” to expose their abuse. Many leaders have manipulated people into silence by saying they would be doing more damage to the kingdom of God by revealing the sin. This is entirely unscriptural. The damage was done by the perpetrator. As those concerned with such abuse, we want to repudiate this behavior. We must and can do better by His grace. 

 

Is the PRT going to re-examine victims after the investigator?

 

No, victims will not be asked to appear or speak to the PRT. 

 

Its purpose is not to cross-examine victims. This is not a court of law or a military tribunal. As stated above, it is to recommend discipline for those leaders who have committed sexual misconduct/abuse or covered up such acts. The PRT members are not the investigators. For that, we have employed the services of highly trained, trauma-informed investigators who work extensively with victims of sexual abuse. Again, no one will be cross-examined by the PRT. 

 

We apologize that this was not abundantly clear in our initial letter—it should have been. Please forgive us. We do not want to re-victimize victims. No one will be humiliated, but instead, you will be loved and embraced. Our goal is healing, not humiliation.

 

Will the investigator’s report be public and unredacted?

Yes, it will be. The report we’ll receive from the investigator at the conclusion of his investigation will be made public as soon as possible. It will be unredacted and unedited.

 

What gives you the authority to set up the PRT?

Scripture teaches that local church elders have the authority and responsibility to bring discipline. This serves to protect the Body of Christ. We understand that the PRT members are not the local leadership in this case, and therefore, their recommendations cannot be binding. On the other hand, this does not mean the PRT is powerless in holding leaders accountable in an effort to better protect the Body of Christ from predators. Ideally, IHOPKC leaders will receive the recommended disciplinary actions, but even if not, the recommendations will be public. 

 

Who will be on the PRT?

We do not have the names yet, but we are actively pursuing leaders of high integrity to serve on this panel. Once the team is formed, their names will be public. We are looking for two types of people for this panel. 

 

First, those who have exercised eldership leadership in New Testament communities, who have proven themselves to be accountable, and who have built safe, quality communities where sexual abuse and sexual sin among leaders are not tolerated.

 

Secondly, we are seeking at least two trauma-informed experts in Clergy Sexual Abuse. We are considering psychologists with extensive experience in this area. We are actively contacting recommended professionals who could bring their expertise to the PRT.

 

Note: No one who was involved in dealing with the IHOPKC situation that unfolded in October 2023 will be asked to participate on this panel. 

 

Will there be women on the PRT?

Yes. The vast majority of alleged victims are female, and it is imperative to have qualified women serving on this team. 

 

Why should I put myself out there and speak to the investigator?

We know it is difficult for victims to come forward, but by doing so, you may be taking the first steps in finding freedom and justice. Though you may be a victim and struggling with whether to come forward, telling your story to the investigator will potentially be a redemptive act for the Body of Christ. 

 

You may feel that your story is too insignificant to matter. It just may be that your story will corroborate someone else’s abuse. When several stories point to the same abuser, it becomes robust evidence. Your story is essential.

 

You can reach out to Firefly Investigators here: https://www.fireflyisai.com/ihopkc

 

Have you heard from anyone who has met with the investigator?

Two victims posted online that they met with Jim Holler of Firefly and found it to be a positive, helpful experience.  You can see their comments here and here. (Used with permission.)

In your letter, you commended those who are still praying at IHOPKC and others who have left to pray elsewhere. What about the those who are disillusioned or have even left the faith—do you care about them?

 

Yes, we care about you greatly. 

 

Please forgive us for not communicating this clearly and explicitly in the initial letter, and making you feel like your pain and suffering are not important to us. We have been deeply concerned for you. Your stories were part of the motivation for us to coordinate this investigation.  We recognize that many of you gave yourselves to 24/7 prayer, believing this was your life’s highest purpose—and now feel that you were manipulated in different ways. Some of you may have foregone college or university for this purpose, and now you find yourself in a difficult situation, unable to sufficiently support your family. 

 

We’ve heard stories where people were made to feel guilty if they were to the leave 24/7 prayer life and start a fresh path, as if they would be letting God down. Our hearts go out to you. We also hope this investigation will lead to some clear answers and open up a pathway for healing. We love and bless you and pray that the God of all power will make a way for you.  

 

For those of you who have left the faith, we also love you. Your stories are important. Regarding this investigation, it doesn’t matter where you are in your faith journey; if an IHOPKC leader sexually abused you or you reported abuse and it was covered up, we urge you to reach out to the investigator. Whether you are still a Christian or not, you will be loved, embraced, and heard.

 

You can reach out to Firefly Investigators here: https://www.fireflyisai.com/ihopkc

 

Do you have an update?

Yes, we do. The investigator is not giving us any details regarding the testimony and evidence he and his team collected, but we know he has met with several dozen witnesses. His calendar is filled with appointments for interviews over the next week. We are encouraged that people are coming forth. 

 

Why did you change some of the text in your scope document?

In our initial letter, we shared the scope of this investigation in two points: 

 

1. Sexual misconduct/abuse by IHOPKC leaders.

2. The cover-up of sexual misconduct/abuse by leaders at IHOPKC.
   (Note: this refers to leaders at IHOPKC covering up any sexual abuse connected to IHOPKC.)

 

However, we noticed that the wording in the full online version needed to be clarified. There was no actual change in the scope; we simply made the wording more precise. 

 

In addition, it appears there was a miscommunication with our investigator. On his website, it said that we would be investigating cases of sexual abuse at IHOPKC from 1999, including interns, students, and staff. That was never our intent, but rather the two points above, which focus on the actions of leaders. The investigator corrected the wording of the online survey to match the scope.

Just to make sure there is no confusion. If you were victimized sexually at IHOPKC by anybody at any time and your case was covered up by leadership, please reach out to Jim Holler. That falls under the scope of the investigation.

 

Final Thought

We want to thank everybody for their patience. This is not what we do in our normal lives. We were asked to do this and are trying our best, which sometimes isn’t sufficient. But we are listening, and we are learning. When we ask for forgiveness, it’s genuine. We do not want to cause victims any further pain, but on the contrary, we want to see everything come to light. 

 

We are seeking to correct any miscommunication and clarify issues promptly. Please continue to pray for this investigation.

 

Hopefully, this FAQ sheet will be helpful. Feel free to continue reaching out with questions. It’s only through your outreach that we know where we need to clarify. Thank you. investigation@tikkunglobal.org.