Karli Venable

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

I don’t even know what to say today about #ihopkc (or #sbc et al). Except for this: it shouldn’t be this hard.

Is it too much to ask as a woman (or a child or *anyone*) to want to feel safe? Is it really too much to want to be free from harassment, abuse, assault, and violence?

And when these things do happen, is it then too much to hope that we will be heard, believed, acknowledged, respected, helped, and treated with compassion and concern? Is it really that outrageous that we’d want the assailants or abusers to be held to account and somehow stopped so that no one else is hurt?

We are mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, brothers, sons, co-laborers, and friends… not to mention image bearers and children of God.

Please just try to consider this when someone, anyone at all, comes forward with a testimony of abuse, rape, harassment, and/or domestic violence. #survivors

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

https://t.co/V6INCVZcWl

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

This is so important. I have already submitted my written testimony for the committee since I can’t be there tomorrow. But everyone — please write these Senators! We need this legislation to pass. It’s a vital step toward justice. (All info is in the post below from Cherish).

[Cherish Smith @Cherish_Andrea]

I emailed Missouri Senators today and you should to. Survivors deserve the chance to seek healing and justice after years of trauma and abuse—no matter how much time has passed. All testimonies need to be in before Wed 3/26 at 8am.
https://t.co/EcZfcCEyYv

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@AlyssaDegraff Also I can’t stand when men use “feminine” like it’s a dirty word or low blow. Women are awesome. Nothing about us is “weak.” I’d like to see him last 2 days (or 2 min) with even half of what we experience & endure in our lives & bodies. He’d be crying for his mommy (ironically).

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@AlyssaDegraff It’s stuff like this that makes me wonder what he would say if he met Jesus in real life (Jesus of the Gospels). I genuinely question whether he’d even like Jesus at all (he might even disdain Him 🤷🏻‍♀️) — which then makes me wonder who he thinks he’s worshipping. Just curious- idk.

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@rbohlender I had a 280z in high school and loved it! I guess that reveals that I’m super old too.

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@JacobsRacq69529 @AlyssaDegraff Same. Stephen & I both felt this way (when we looked at Grace report on FAI) too. I really liked Jim, personally, and felt very safe & affirmed by him. I honestly think it was mostly about manpower (aka money) for the huge scope & a rushed timeline more than anything else. 😞💔

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@reachjulieroys What’s really funny that he thinks he is a “common sense Christian.” 🤔

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@AlyssaDegraff @sheilagregoire Maybe start from a place of humility with your own issues? Do men never talk to their parents or buddies about their spouses? If he was genuinely concerned about the third person gossip issue, he could’ve said it a lot differently.

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@AlyssaDegraff @sheilagregoire Already tells me everything I need to know when men / pastors make “if your wife is doing…” type statements like this. The dude sitting around thinking up stuff his wife or his friends wives have done wrong so he can post it on X or preach about it is just cringe to begin with.

[Judy Thomas @judylthomas]

International House of Prayer-Kansas City founder Mike Bickle committed sexual abuse or misconduct against 17 women — including minors — over decades, amid a thriving culture of systematic abuse and coverups, an independent investigation has found.
https://t.co/Ny9dTNhR5p

[Samuel Hood @samueljhood_]

https://t.co/wVSTxMwOLb

FIREFLY INVESTIGATION INTO MIKE BICKLE AND IHOPKC — CONCLUSION (PAGES 54-55)

“Based on the documented statements of victims and witnesses interviewed and the evidence in the form of documents and correspondence with the accused, this investigation concludes that BICKLE has committed spiritual, emotional, and sexual abuse within IHOPKC. BICKLE'S reported abuse was an ongoing course of action and patterned behavior starting as early as the 1970s based on victim accounts. Through the identified IHOPKC programs, BICKLE systematically groomed and developed inappropriate relationships with women in the congregation while using "Matthew 18 Meetings" to conceal, minimize, and silence victims of sexual abuse within the church.

In further support of the above, victim accounts show BICKLE'S repeated behavior in using prophetic language to speak to victims, isolating victims from others, purchasing gifts, frequent visits to church-supplied apartments where victims resided, controlling behavior, public praise and attention, frequent touching of victim's bodies, kissing victims, and creating circumstances where victims would observe him undressed and aroused.

BICKLE'S correspondence on December 12, 2023, acknowledges his "inappropriate behavior" but attempts to minimize it by stating it occurred decades ago and was not the "... more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting." Regardless of the intensity, BICKLE'S grooming, sexual solicitation, and abusive misconduct involving seventeen (17) women, some of whom were minors, is evident and should not be downplayed. This behavior has caused significant harm and trauma to the victims, and it is crucial to recognize the severity of his actions. By minimizing his misconduct, BICKLE not only undermines the experiences of the survivors but also perpetuates a culture of silence and impunity. It is essential to hold him accountable and ensure that such behavior is not tolerated.

Furthermore, this report finds a deliberate indifference by BICKLE and the ELT in minimizing reports of sexual abuse, requiring victims to confront their offenders, and discouraging victims from seeking law enforcement assistance. Their actions, or lack thereof, contributed to an environment where victims felt unsupported and vulnerable. By downplaying the severity of the abuse and failing to take appropriate measures, BICKLE and the ELT failed to protect the victims and uphold their duty of care. This indifference not only exacerbated the trauma experienced by the victims but also allowed the perpetrators to evade accountability and continue their misconduct.”

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

Umm yeah… what she said. Psycho.

[Christina Forêt @ChristinaForet]

Religious freedom to… cover up the sexual abuse of a minor? These guys are psycho.

[Kansas City Chiefs @Chiefs]

LAST DAY to vote for your favorite tight end 🏹

Retweet to help @tkelce win the #WPMOYChallenge!

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@jburn I seriously cannot. 🤢

[BozLaw P.A. @bozlawpa]

After almost a year, a true independent investigation has finally been launched into the allegations of sexual misconduct perpetrated by Mike Bickle and other IHOPKC leaders. This investigation will also be looking into reports that sexual abuse was covered up by IHOPKC leadership.

Investigator Jim Holler and his team at Firefly Investigations are experienced, thorough, unbiased, and trauma-informed. I'm so happy that abuse survivors will finally have the opportunity to step forward to share their profoundly painful experiences in a safe space with investigators who know what they're doing.

I strongly encourage anyone with information about sexual abuse or cover-up at IHOPKC to participate in this independent investigation. You can start by taking this short confidential survey. https://t.co/ehiTEUzOZd

[Diane Langberg, PhD @DianeLangberg]

Clergy sexual abuse is not an affair; pedophilia is not about struggling with difficult circumstances; molesting adolescents is not about a struggling marriage. Such things must be called by their right names- the abuser needs to be held responsible for his/her abusive behavior.

[Sheila Gregoire--She Deserves Better is here! @sheilagregoire]

This is horrifying.

Wherever there is fundamentalism, women are a threat.

Wherever there is fundamentalism, they believe women talk too much and don't belong at the table.

Wherever there is fundamentalism, they try to make women invisible.

[BozLaw P.A. @bozlawpa]

An “independent investigator” who has previously represented churches or Christian organizations in sexual abuse claims is not “independent” and cannot be trusted. 

Your abuse experience has immeasurable importance and value…please only share it with those who have earned your trust.

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@JustinWern1993 Thank you for your inestimable courage and your voice, Justin. There are no words, but know that we stand with you.

[Karli Venable @venablefour]

@JacobsRacq69529 @AlyssaDegraff He was 100% on staff and in leadership. I cannot even imagine what he was thinking saying that. He may have done more itinerant traveling after the awakening… like several others… but he was always on staff as a leader. Everyone knows that.