Resources

for recovery from Spiritual Abuse & Religious Trauma

Spiritual Abuse: an introduction...

Counseling and Therapy Resources for Religious Trauma

Spiritual Abuse...part II

Part III...the abusive system and how we get hooked...

Other sources detailing abuse & mistreatment at IHOP-KC

Excerpt from Ariel’s story, former intern:

YOU are called to be on the cutting edge. Come here and join a community of other people who are like you, called to what you’re called to. We understand you. You’ve been mis-understood in the church. You’ve had your wings clipped, your gifts misunderstood. Here you can fulfill your forerunner calling that your family just hasn’t understood about you. You might feel like you don’t fit back home, you’re on the outside, no one understands the fire in you. Well we get it. You are the leaders that G-d is raising up in these end times and you will be kings and queens on the earth—reigning with Him. You were made for this place. IHOP is an incubator for people like you.”

-excerpt from Ariel’s Story, first reported by Amy Spreeman in 2012.

Excerpt from Sammy’s story (not her real name) former FSM student:

I did find it especially troubling when we had to attend a special class before thanksgiving break that taught us how to act around our families and walked us through all the reasons why they are not a cult. It felt like conditioning and I found that a lot of the doctrines they said they did not teach were things I’ve heard Mike Bickle say a hundred times. So it was super weird to me but I still rationalized it because of how great I felt otherwise.

…..I was told I was heavily oppressed by many demons, that I had a religious spirit, and was a danger to myself and the other student’s growth and spiritual being. They also said that I had father issues I needed healing from (My dad had been trying to get me out of IHOP for years and they told me to stop talking to him because he was being used by the devil). They also said I had a spirit of rebellion because I wanted to “challenge authority” with my questions and attitude.

….I walked away from the Lord completely, even denying His existence. I was absolutely miserable both in and out of the church. Something was totally missing and no one understood what I was going through. One of my pastors tried helping for a time but even he lost patience with me.

My life was never the same after that. I went through cycles of trying to “be a Christian” and then pushing self-destruct for years and years. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom in 2014, that I finally just fell to my face, repented, and went back to basics. I wasn’t ever able to step foot into a church after walking away until I went to the church I am at now.

I thought I had moved on until my church started playing Bethel and IHOP music in services. At that point everything came back and I started getting anxiety attacks. However, things are much different now. I have an amazing husband who is solid in the Lord and an amazing support system. I’ve also been going to a Christian psychiatrist who specializes in ex-cult member issues. It has helped a lot

I grieve for the people who are still stuck within the lies of IHOP, Bethel, and other NAR movements. I weep for the thousands who are recruited on a daily basis. I pray for their souls and I pray for the truth to be made known to them. If ever there was an “antichrist spirit” this is surely it.