THE TELEGRAPH: The evangelical world is in uproar after musical superstar Matt Redman claimed he was the ‘victim’ of preacher Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi
If you are not an evangelical Christian, then he is almost certainly the most influential music superstar that you’ve never heard of. Yet this week, the British artist Matt Redman became known for something other than his internationally-best-selling “praise music” when he took on another global titan of the conservative Christian world – and his former mentor – Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi.
Pilavachi is a captivating, magnetic preacher. For young Christians aspiring to a life in ministry, worship leading or prayer, the talented British evangelist, of Greek Cypriot descent, has been revered as a gifted man with “an amazing connection to the Holy Spirit’’, “a direct dial to God” and “the gifts to enable it all”.
Avowedly celibate – repeatedly telling crowds how he has never slept “with anyone, animal, vegetable or mineral and I’m okay” – he has travelled around the world giving sermons, wearing colourful tie-dye kaftans, speaking the word of God and converting thousands of people to the faith with his radical “Soul Survivor” summer youth festivals known by some as “the Christian Glastonbury”.
Yet beneath the veneer of his chaste Christian superstardom, preaching in front of a giant crucifix lit up on stage, it is claimed that a “conveyor belt” of young, attractive men – many of whom were vulnerable and had difficult childhoods – were encouraged to receive full-body oil massages in their underwear in their vicar’s bedroom.
Victims have also told of vigorous wrestling matches that could last as long as 20 minutes at a time – sometimes in church. » | Gabriella Swerling, Religious Affairs Editor | Saturday, July 15, 2023
