Mike Bickle is a former preacher who is famous for founding the International House of Prayers (IHOPKC) in 1999. Being a religious figure, he has changed numerous lives but that did not stop him from being the hot debate of town. He has a net worth of around $10 million to $20 million as of 2025.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Michael Leroy Bickle |
| Date of Birth | July 17, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Missouri, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Spouse | Diane Bickle |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Former Pastor, Author, Speaker |
| Notable Works | Founder of IHOPKCAuthor of Growing in Prayer, Passion for Jesus |
| Net Worth | $10 million – $20 million (as of 2025) |
| Controversies | Sexual Misconduct (2023) |
Early Life & Background
Mike Bickle was raised in a Christian family thus was exposed to religious teachings from an early age. In his teenage years, his athlete friends were practicing Christians, which deepened his interest in the religion.
Bickle’s Entry into Ministry
Bickle started pastoring small churches in St. Louis, Missouri in the late 1970s. Bickle created a dedicated community in St. Missouri because of his passionate sermons and commitment to the religion and its people. And, by the late 1980s, he became a well-known figure in the evangelical Christian community.
Then, he moved to Kansas City in 1982 and started preaching there. He established a church, Kansas City Fellowship there which later evolved into the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC). His time in Kansas City also grew his interest in eschatology and prophetic ministry. It also influenced his theological beliefs and teachings.
Founding of the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC)
Bickle founded an organisation dedicated to evangelical missions in 1999. His mission behind creating this organisation was to create a global movement that centers the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Bickle claims that the vision behind founding IHOPKC started in the 1980s when he started receiving prophetic messages regarding a global prayer movement. He claims that God instructed him to make an organization that is dedicated to His worship 24/7.
IHOPKC started as a small room and now, it has a whole campus. IHOPKC attracts thousands of believers from all around the world who enroll in programs IN the International House of Prayers University (IHOPU). Every year, they train young leaders in theology, worship, and missions.
Published Works
Besides being a pastor, Bickle is an author as well. He is a prolific author who has written on Christian spirituality, prayer and end times. Some of his published books are:
- Growing in the Prophetic
- Passion for Jesus: Growing in Extravagant Love for God
- After God’s Own Heart
- The Praying Life: Your Complete Guide
- The Seven Longings of the Human Heart
- Book of Revelation Study Guide
- The Rewards of Fasting: Experiencing the Power and Affections of God (with Dana Candler)
- 7 Commandments for Spiritual Growth: An Introduction to the Ministry and Lifestyle of a Forerunner (with Brian Kim)
- God’s Answer to the Growing Crisis: A Bold Call to Action in the End Times
Personal Life
Despite being a public figure, Bickle is very private about his personal life. His personal life is not a common public topic. However, it is known that Mike Bickle is married to Diane Bickle and they have 2 children together. His family is supportive of his work and they are often seen with him at IHOPKC events.
Controversies Surrounding Mike Bickle: Sexual Misconduct
Mike Bickle was accused of sexual misconduct involving multiple women over the decade. In October, 2023, former leaders of IHOPKC publicly alleged Bickle of sexual misconduct. They called him a “chronic sexual predator” who used his power to lure and exploit women over the decade. These allegations stated that the abuse had been going on for a long-time within the organization and victims were pressured into silence each time.
Firefly conducted an investigation and confirmed that at least 17 women had reported sexual abuse by Bickle. The investigation revealed how Bickle created an environment where questioning his actions was seen as questioning divine authority. It also revealed that senior IHOPKC leaders minimised the victim’s experiences and shielded Bickle.
See Also: Island Boys Controversies
Responses from Christian Leaders
Multiple prominent Christian leaders, including Jack Deere, publicly called him unfit for ministry position and asked for further investigations. Following these allegations, IHOPKC officially severed all ties with Bickle in December 2023 and in March, 2024, a group of Christian leaders permanently disqualified Bickle from ministry position.
Bickle’s Response
Bickle denied all the recent allegations of sexual misconduct, but acknowledged his past moral failures. He admitted to inappropriate behavior over 20 years ago but claims that the current accusations were either exaggerated or false.
