Mike Pilavachi

Mike Pilavachi
MBE
Pilavachi in 2022
Born
Michael Pilavachi[1]

(1958-03-07) 7 March 1958 (age 66)
Alma materSt Mellitus College
ReligionChristianity
ChurchChurch of England
Ordained
  • 2012 (deacon)
  • 2013 (priest)
Laicised2024
Congregations served

Michael Pilavachi, MBE (/ˌpɪləˈvɑːtʃi/; born 7 March 1958) is a British charismatic evangelist, former Anglican priest, and author of Greek Cypriot descent. He is the co-founder and former leader of the Soul Survivor charity based in Watford, England.

In May 2023, he was suspended from ministry while under investigation for safeguarding concerns, having stepped back from ministry the previous month. Pilavachi resigned as Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor Church, Watford, on 11 July 2023. In September 2023, the internal investigation being undertaken by the Church of England was completed: they substantiated the accusations against him and concluded that "he used his spiritual authority to control people and that his coercive and controlling behaviour led to inappropriate relationships".[2]

Ministry

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Soul Survivor

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Main article: Soul Survivor (charity)
Pilavachi speaking at Soul Survivor 2009.

Pilavachi was one of three senior pastors of the Soul Survivor Church, Watford, which he founded in 1993 alongside worship leader Matt Redman.[3] A former accountant, he then became a youth worker at St Andrew's, Chorleywood, a Church of England church in Hertfordshire influential in the charismatic evangelical tradition. Two ministers of St Andrew's, David Pytches and Barry Kissell, launched the New Wine Christian family conferences.[4]

In response to the large number of young people attending the New Wine conferences, Pilavachi launched Soul Survivor in the summer of 1993.[5] The event became a 5-day-long charismatic Christian festival aimed at young people, the first of which attracted 1,896 delegates. Under Pilavachi's leadership, the event grew to accommodate around 30,000 people over four weeks, alongside a fifth week, Momentum, aimed at those in their twenties and thirties. Matt Redman, who had attended Pilavachi's youth club at St Andrew's Church, Chorleywood, was a worship leader at early Soul Survivor camps. Redman returned as a worship leader in 2011. In summer 2014, a fifth week of the festival was held in Scotland.[6]

In May 2018, Pilavachi announced that the Soul Survivor conference would be ending after the summer of 2019.[7]

Ordained ministry

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Pilavachi trained for ordination at St Mellitus College, an Anglican theological college in London. He was made a deacon in the Church of England at St Albans Abbey on 1 July 2012, and ordained a priest the following year.[8] He served as a curate at St Peter's Church, Watford in the Diocese of St Albans from 2012, and was made an honorary canon of St Albans Cathedral in 2016.[8]

Following ordination, Pilavachi continued to lead Soul Survivor Church, Watford, latterly swapping positions with former associate leader Andy Croft.

On 18 January 2024, the Church of England clarified that Pilavachi had no authority to minister, but could return after being "fully risk assessed".[9][10] However, by September 2024, he had been fully laicised.[11]

Other

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Pilavachi helped run the international evangelistic event "Soul in the City" in London in 2004 and in Durban in 2009. He was also one of the founders of the Hope 08 project,[12] an initiative of the churches of Britain and Ireland.

Safeguarding investigation and substantiated allegations

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On 2 April 2023,[13] Soul Survivor Watford announced that Pilavachi had "stepped back from all ministry" while "non-recent safeguarding concerns" were investigated by the Church of England National Safeguarding Team and the diocese of St Albans.[14] On 28 April, the phrase "non-recent" was removed after more recent concerns had become apparent.[13] According to The Daily Telegraph, there were allegations by over 100 people spread across three decades, with the most recent in 2020.[15][16] The Times stated that concerns about Pilavachi's behaviour were first raised with Soul Survivor leadership in 2004 but were not followed up.[17]

Pilavachi resigned as a director of the charity on 4 April[18] and was suspended as an employee on 20 May.[19][20] Archbishop Justin Welby said he was "deeply conscious of the impact" of the reports.[20]

On 11 July, Pilavachi resigned as Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor Watford. In a Facebook post announcing his resignation, Pilavachi stated, "I have taken this step because the Church needs to heal and I have realised that my continued presence will hinder that process" and "I seek forgiveness from any whom I have hurt during the course of my ministry."[21]

A report in The Daily Telegraph on 4 April revealed that the allegations related to "inappropriate massages" and "inappropriate intimate relationships" with young adults involved in the Soul61 scheme, a Christian gap year project.[22] In their statement on 28 April regarding the disclosure of more recent safeguarding concerns, Soul Survivor noted: "Whilst it does not appear these recent allegations include physical contact they are no less significant because of that".[13] On 1 May 2023, The Daily Telegraph published a further story with claims from alleged victims and former Soul Survivor staff members, stating, "A number also claim that they were encouraged to receive full-body oil massages in their underwear while being straddled by Rev Canon Pilavachi in his bedroom, as well as vigorous wrestling matches that could last as long as 20 minutes at a time – sometimes in church".[23][24]

On 12 May 2023, Paul Martin, founder of Soul Survivor USA, spoke about earlier reports of allegations. He had informed the Soul Survivor leadership of "allegations of some sort about Mike's relationship with young interns" in 2002. He heard in 2004 that further "concerns regarding alleged inappropriate behaviour" had been raised with the UK leadership.[25] In addition, former staff members described being part of "a 'conveyor belt' of young, athletic, attractive men – usually aged around 18 to 21 from broken homes or with traumatic childhoods."[25]

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced on 16 May 2023 that the investigation had his "full support". This came after a report in The Daily Telegraph that some alleged victims had low confidence in the Church of England's internal inquiry and did not trust the church to "mark its own homework", as well as criticism of Welby for not commenting on the allegations sooner.[26]

By September 2023, the internal investigation being undertaken by National Safeguarding Team (NST) and the Diocese of St Albans had concluded. The investigation substantiated accusations of abuse of power relating to his ministry and spiritual abuse: "he used his spiritual authority to control people and that his coercive and controlling behaviour led to inappropriate relationships, the physical wrestling of youths and massaging of young male interns".[2] The associated press release also revealed that Pilavachi had resigned his licence to officiate, and therefore "cannot currently minister in the Church of England".[2]

In addition, the report noted that a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM), had been taken out against Pilavachi "relating to a safeguarding concern post ordination", which was ongoing at the time of publication.[2] This CDM related to "verbal interactions with a vulnerable person".[27] In January 2024, it was found that "Pilavachi's conduct had nevertheless fallen short of that expected of a priest in the Church of England", and he received a written warning and "advice".[10]

Following concerns of the Church of England's objectivity in their investigation,[20] in November 2023, Soul Survivor commissioned Landmark Chambers to provide an independent report.[28][29] The report was published on 26 September 2024, and verified the reports of coercion, wrestling matches and intimate massages.[30][31] It also suggested that his "spiritual celebrity" may have been a factor in the failure to stop his behaviour.[32]

Personal life

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In the 2020 New Year Honours, Pilavachi was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to young people.[33][1]

Pilavachi has stated that his celibacy enabled certain work which he would not have been able to balance with having a family.[4]

Works

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  • Live the Life (1998)
  • Walking with a stranger, discovering God (1999)
  • My first trousers, growing up with God (1999)
  • Led to the lost, the Soul Survivor songbook (1999)
  • For the audience of one, the soul survivor guide to worship (1999)
  • Weeping before an empty tomb, struggling with God (2000)
  • Afterlife, facing the future with God (2000)
  • Life, death (and everything in between) (2001)
  • Wasteland?, encountering God in the desert (2003)
  • When Necessary Use Words, Changing Lives Through Worship, Justice and Evangelism (2007)
  • Storylines: tracing threads that run through the Bible (2008)
  • Life Beneath the Surface, Thoughts on a Deeper Spiritual Life (2011)
  • Storylines, your map to understanding the Bible (2013)
  • Everyday Supernatural: Living A Spirit-Led Life Without Being Weird (2016)[34]
  • Lifelines: sound advice from the heroes of the faith (2018)

References

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  1. ^ a b "No. 62866". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N21.
  2. ^ a b c d "Concerns substantiated in Mike Pilavachi investigation". The Church of England. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  3. ^ Soul Survivor Watford – Church Staff Archived 4 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 27 July 2011
  4. ^ a b "Talking To Mike Pilavachi". Jesus Army Magazine. January 2005. Archived from the original on 17 March 2005.
  5. ^ "The Soul Survivor Story | Mike Pilavachi". Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  6. ^ "summer: Soul Survivor Scotland | Soul Survivor UK". Archived from the original on 13 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Soul Survivor summer festival to end in 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Michael Pilavachi". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Statement on complaint against Mike Pilavachi". The Church of England. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Mike Pilavachi receives written warning after alleged misconduct". Church Times. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  11. ^ Team, Communications (10 July 2024). "Statements on Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor". The Diocese of St Albans. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  12. ^ Donovan, Kevin (15 March 2007). "'Hope08 Reveals Signs of Change' in UK Mission". Christian Today. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  13. ^ a b c "Latest Updates". Soul Survivor Watford. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Canon relating to Mike Pilavachi 'steps back' during safeguarding investigation". Church Times. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  15. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (2 May 2023). "Allegations against Soul Survivor vicar are recent as well as historic, Church admits". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  16. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (7 June 2023). "More than 100 people come forward to accuse Christian 'cult' leader of abuse". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  17. ^ Gatens, Katie; Burgess, Kaya; Hellen, Nicholas (7 June 2023). "Soul Survivor: Church knew about 'teen massages' for 19 years". The Times. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  18. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (11 April 2023). "Christian youth festival founder quits charity amid 'inappropriate massage' claims". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Christian youth festival founder suspended after 'inappropriate massages' claim". The Telegraph. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  20. ^ a b c McMenemy, Rachael; Lewis, Katy (23 May 2023). "Watford Church of England youth leader suspended in safeguarding probe". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  21. ^ Thornton, Ed (11 July 2023). "Canon Pilavachi resigns as Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor, Watford". Church Times. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  22. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (4 April 2023). "Christian youth festival founder quits over 'inappropriate massages' claim". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  23. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (1 May 2023). "Victims of Christian 'cult' leader speak out for first time". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Victims of Christian 'cult' leader speak out for first time". MSN. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  25. ^ a b Swerling, Gabriella (12 May 2023). "'I introduced hundreds of young men to him': US Christian leader's fears over festival vicar". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  26. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (16 May 2023). "Archbishop of Canterbury gives 'full support' to Soul Survivor investigation". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  27. ^ "Statement on complaint against Mike Pilavachi". The Church of England. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Review". Soul Survivor Watford. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Appeal from independent Soul Survivor Review". The Church of England. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  30. ^ Scolding, Fiona; Fullbrook, Ben (26 September 2024). Independent Review into Soul Survivor (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  31. ^ McGuinness, Fintan (27 September 2024). "Soul Survivor: full report published on Mike Pilavachi abuse". Watford Observer. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  32. ^ Maqbool, Aleem (1 October 2024). "Preacher abused his power as 'spiritual celebrity'". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  33. ^ "New Year Honours: Hertfordshire". ITV News. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  34. ^ Williams, Hattie (2 September 2016). "Christians' supernatural experiences surveyed". Church Times. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
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