Bethel Church has released a new update on their ongoing efforts to create organizational health, noting that they are cutting ties with several controversial charismatic leaders they had previously platformed or endorsed.
The California megachurch has been battered from all sides over the past few months. These include revelations that they knew “prophet” Shawn Bolz was a sexual predator who was using Facebook to data-mine information he could then claim was revelation and prophecy, and then platformed and promoted him anyway, and also that their chief prophet Ben Armstrong was engaging in clergy sexual misconduct, which they downplayed and minimized. We wrote about those stories here:
- Bethel Church’s Chief Prophet, Ben Armstrong, On Leave Following New Allegations of Sex Abuse
- Bethel Church Apologizes for Platforming Disgraced ‘Prophet’ Shawn Bolz: ‘We are Sad and Embarrassed’
On May 28, Bethel provided a Leadership Update on Governance, Culture, Platforming, and a Healthier Church, announcing they were making the following changes:
March 2026 – Reshaped Wonder Conference to focus on serving and ministering to the women of our own church community.
April 2026 – Canceled the Healing Conference to redirect time, focus, and resources toward this priority.
April 2026 – Began gathering staff feedback about areas in our culture that need to be improved.
April 2026 – Began developing a volunteer focus group made up of team members across our organization to help strengthen accountability, connection, and mission.
May 2026 – Reshaped our men’s conference into a more locally focused event centered on discipleship, community, and connection.
They’ve also “engaged external leadership consultant Martin West and XGap to review our governance, organizational structure, leadership culture, and operational health,” with some of the areas they are reviewing including:
Specifically, they have revealed that they’ve reevaluated the way they now are approaching restoration of fallen leaders, as well as their reinstatement. When it comes to who they will platform, they write that there’s four individuals they’re cutting ties with, and no, it’s not Kenneth Copeland or Benny Hinn- both who Bethel church willingly partners with and even invites to come preach at their church.
- Bethel Church Hosting Arch-Heretic Benny Hinn For ‘Holy Spirit’ Conference
- Kenneth Copeland Speaks at Bethel Church, Splitting Hell Wide Open
We will not make decisions about platforming based solely on rumors, pressure, or unverified claims. At the same time, credible concerns may lead to further review, discernment through appropriate reporting, and accountability processes. If there are proven patterns of behavior that do not align with biblical standards, we cannot continue to platform, endorse, or support that person for ministry leadership here.
Following internal review and discussion, we’ve made the decision to confirm publicly that we no longer platform the following individuals:
- Todd Bentley
- Mike Bickle
- Shawn Bolz
- Bob Hartley
Specifically regarding Bob Hartley, Bethel took action after concerns were raised in previous years. We restricted his ministry involvement, informed our church community, and later limited his access to Bethel’s campus. As part of our current review, we want to clearly state that Bob Hartley is not endorsed, platformed, or permitted to serve in ministry influence at Bethel.
We’ve previously covered Bickle and Hartley in our posts
- 68-Page Investigation Finds IHOP’s Mike Bickle Sexually Abused or Harassed 17 Women!
- IHOPKC Removes Prominent Prophet Bob Hartley From Prayer Room After Multiple Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Abuse
Ultimately, all these problems stem from their bizarre beliefs and theology, which doesn’t appear to be foundationally affected or reexamined.
The reality is that Bethel is an assortment of false teaching and bizarre charismatic shenanigans. From ‘Little God theology,’ using prophetic Uno cards, going on satanic treasure hunts, teaching that Adam created the animals in Eden, that Michael the Archangel wears tights, and that angels sit around the throne of God having “farting contests,” it’s a hotbed of strange fire burning uncontrollably throughout Christendom, including:
- Bill Johnson: Students Cannot Graduate from BSSM Until They Give 3 FALSE Prophecies
- Bethel Pastrix: ‘Jesus Laid in that Bed with Me and Started to Play with my Hair’
- Bethel Chief Prophet says God made Adam ‘Male’ AND ‘Female’ + Adam ‘co-created Eve’
- Bethel Church Has a ‘Lab’ Where they Apply Scientific Methods to The Prophetic + People. Only $2750!
- Weird Alert! Bethel Pastor Invites Church to Perform ‘Prophetic Act’ and ‘Wallow’ Like A Pig
- Bethel Church Offers Courses on Interpreting Dreams for $150
