Bolz and Bethel Reckoning 

What to make of recent dramatic developments within the US ‘prophetic movement’?

Over the past five-to-ten years especially, we’ve watched a painful pattern unfold as prominent evangelical leaders have morally fallen – among them Robert Morris, Ravi Zacharias, Steven Lawson and Bill Hybels.  

Among them, too, have been a significant number of leaders within the charismatic Church, including several who were prominent in the prophetic movement; notably, Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Mike Bickle, Mike Pilivachi and Todd White.

Growing suspicions

But it is revelations associated with ‘prophet’, author and podcaster Shawn Bolz that have been causing rising waves throughout the charismatic world in recent days. And this matters, because Shawn Bolz was for long widely regarded as one of the biggest names on the global prophetic ‘scene’, being recognised as possessing the gift of personal prophecy with almost unparalleled accuracy.

Bolz became popular for issuing a stream of remarkably detailed prophecies (in reality, more prominently, words of knowledge) within live congregational settings. While admittedly initially won over by his personal charm, warmth and seeming modesty, I’ve long held doubts about the genuineness of Bolz’s ministry.

A perusal of the man ‘in action’ on countless YouTube videos convinced me there was something not right about his modus operandi. His detailed words of knowledge appeared to prove suspiciously accurate on virtually every occasion. Curiously, he read his prophetic words from his mobile phone, indicating they weren’t being received spontaneously and directly from the Lord.

It wasn’t long before suspicions began to form in my mind that Shawn Bolz was probably obtaining his ‘words’ from non-prophetic sources – most likely from information gleaned from social media. Other sceptics had similar suspicions, and, by the late 2010s, growing doubts were rippling across social media as to the authenticity of this unusual but intriguing ‘prophet’.

By the late 2010s, growing doubts were rippling across social media as to the authenticity of this unusual but intriguing ‘prophet’.

In 2022, Prophecy Today published what was to be the first of three articles examining the ministry of Bolz, reprehending him for ‘data mining’ the internet for information he then delivered as words of knowledge. In effect, we called him out as a false prophet. We offered numerous examples giving strong evidence that Bolz was using false means of obtaining his words. The real clincher came in a live setting in Illinois in 2017, when Bolz inadvertently gave the right address of the wrong person.

Doris Rhoades

Shawn claimed to get a ‘picture’ in which he saw a friend of his – Kelly – standing on a road. From this he quickly deduced that there was someone present in the audience named Kelly Rhoades! (Of course, that doesn’t remotely follow, but Shawn is working backwards here, as will become clear.) Lo and behold, there was indeed a Kelly Rhoades present in the hall. Shawn appeared to feign surprise, before quickly going on to tell her that her mother’s name was Doris and that her birthday fell on January 27th (these details were readily available on Doris’s Facebook page, which is linked to Kelly’s page).

Shawn then told her that he “saw Psalm 105 over her family”, and asked if “105 Slaughterhouse” means anything to her. It didn’t, which momentarily flummoxed Bolz, who nevertheless, quickly recovered and moved on.
This seemingly innocent mistake proves highly illuminating. By doing a quick search on one of several online directories (such as checkthem.com or beenverified.com), one can discover that Kelly’s mother, Doris Rhoades, lives in Oxford, Pennsylvania. A different, unrelated, Doris Rhoades lives in another town in the same state. The address of that other Doris is – 105 Slaughterhouse! Shawn has confused two completely different people. (These, indeed, are the only two ‘Doris Rhoades’ that crop up on these directories as living in Pennsylvania.)

This was a decisive mistake, because it proves beyond reasonable doubt that Shawn did not receive his ‘word’ from the Holy Spirit.

This was a decisive mistake, because it proves beyond reasonable doubt that Shawn did not receive his ‘word’ from the Holy Spirit. Rather, it was apparent he had previously engaged in an online search for ‘Doris Rhoades’, where he found the unusual street address. This single incident confirmed beyond reasonable doubt what I and many other Bolz sceptics had strongly suspected for years – Shawn Bolz was using the internet to obtain personal details for his ‘words of knowledge’.

Recent revelations

I sought an online interview with Bolz for Prophecy Today; he declined but said he’d be happy to answer questions put to him in written form. When I forwarded him a range of questions, which necessarily included the possible use of data-mining, his PA informed me he no longer wished to engage with me.
Concerns about the inauthenticity of Bolz’s ministry became louder in subsequent months, and in early 2025, Bolz – completely in denial of the slightest wrongdoing, nevertheless issued a statement declaring he was going to step back from offering words of knowledge publicly.

It’s only now, within the past couple of weeks, that the Bolz story has resurfaced again – this, following the release of a six-hour(!) documentary video by US-based Christian apologist Mike Winger, in which he thoroughly and extensively exposes Bolz’s dodgy life and ministry. Winger clearly spent dozens of hours in prior research, scrutinising Bolz videos and podcasts, and interviewing multiple victims of his fake prophecies and abuse.

Interestingly, Winger uses, as his kingpin evidence, the very same example used in our Prophecy Today series – the story of Doris Rhoades. But Winger proceeds to delve further, also exposing Bolz’s sexual indiscretions. Numerous witnesses have testified that Bolz engaged in a long-term pattern of sexually inappropriate behaviour toward younger male staff and associates – insisting on being naked in their presence in his hotel suite, often for hours on end, engaging in acts of masturbation before them, and so on. The behaviour is alleged to have been non-consensual and therefore abusive.

Scores of individuals have been left psychologically wounded by his false and abusive practices.  

Other charges against Bolz include: a) A total lack of executive oversight and accountability;  b) an independent spirit allowed to run riot; c) ⁠financial ‘idolatry’, and d) ⁠control and manipulation.

Wounded victims

While countless thousands of Christians (as well as innumerable non-believers) were unwittingly deceived by Shawn’s unscrupulous prophetic ‘words’ over many years, scores of individuals have been left psychologically wounded by his false and abusive practices.  

Various former employees of Bolz have, just in the last two weeks, spoken up and admitted to the damage inflicted by Bolz on their lives. Winger speaks of at least three couples who entered marriage contracts specifically because of words from Shawn. One of them, Jubilee Dawn (a then member of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry), was given a prophecy which affirmed her relationship with a man she was currently dating. In part spurred by this word, Jubilee went on to marry that man, who later turned out to be physically abusive. “He ended up nearly taking my life and I didn’t leave for the longest time because I thought it was God’s will,” she later lamented.

It’s a particularly shocking and tragic story, but it doesn’t stand alone – many others have been devastated when words boldly issued by Bolz spectacularly failed to materialise – including promises of physical healing to seriously disabled people.  Some believers fell away completely from their faith as a result of Bolz’s charlatanry.

The brazen extent of his deceit becomes apparent on watching a video Bolz broadcast as recently as December 2023 (since deleted), in which he offers advice to those who have “experienced the moral failures of a leader who had authority over them.” Similarly, a Facebook post six months later sees shameless Bolz urge those who have been wounded by prophecy, or who felt controlled or manipulated, to “open your hearts to God once more.”

Some believers fell away completely from their faith as a result of Bolz’s charlatanry.

Knowing Bethel

But Winger’s exposé doesn’t stop with Shawn. A key part of his analysis centres on Bethel Ministries, given that, according to Bolz, they were among the key people who opened doors for Bolz’s ministry to flourish. Indeed, it is partly because of Bethel that Shawn is so well-known across the world today. On Bethel’s own admission, the church invited Shawn to minister from their platform “many times over many years.”

At times, Bolz even spoke of Bethel as his home church. I just watched a video where Bolz was warmly welcomed on the stage as “one of the most prophetic, creative people on the planet”, whereupon the entire congregation rose to its feet in enthusiastic applause and approval.

Winger goes to great lengths to show that those at the top of Bethel leadership – Bill Johnson, Danny Silk, and especially Kris Vallotton – were aware for many years of serious indiscretions in Bolz’s prophetic and private life – with numerous individuals testifying of having approached these leaders directly with serious and credible accusations against Bolz over a period of time (including the sexual abuse of Bethel staff). 

When considering Bethel’s role in this situation, one needs to remember that it would have been considered a mutually beneficial relationship. Just as Mike Bickle gave a platform to Bob Jones, and so Bob Jones exalted Mike Bickle through his prophecies, similarly, while Bill Johnson gave Shawn Bolz a much sought after platform, greatly boosting his profile (and hence his income), so Bolz exalted Johnson, prophetically endorsing his apostolic ministry in front of watching throngs.

Eventually, apparently, Vallotton and Silk met with Bolz on several occasions to challenge him in regard to the charges against him. But Bolz denied everything, and nothing changed. As recently as 2023, Bill Johnson appeared on a TBN television interview alongside buddy Shawn, in which he unequivocally commended Bolz’s book ‘Translating God’ (which is known to be full of exaggerations and untruths) and worse still, fully endorsed Bolz ‘the man’ – his character, his lifestyle – all this while privately being well aware of the predatory nature of what Bolz was doing to his victims.

In the end, Bethel stopped inviting Bolz to their church, quietly distancing themselves from him, and belatedly removing his books from sale. But they failed to warn their people – or the wider Church – about his abusive behaviour.

Bethel responds

Mike Winger’s video exposé has already been viewed well over a million times in just ten days, soliciting over 13,000 comments. The resultant furore has been both unprecedented and incredible – with scores of commentators loudly calling Bethel to account.

With the sheer rising volume of criticism coming their way, it appears Bethel leadership was ultimately forced into a change of heart.

Initially (Sun 18^th Jan), Kris Vallotton, in a somewhat embarrassing talk, sought to downplay events, ultimately dismissing accusations coming against them. He even admitted he intentionally ignored and blocked one of the victims of Bolz’s sexual abuse, because that victim was too persistent and Vallotton didn’t know how to handle it.

With the sheer rising volume of criticism coming their way, it appears Bethel leadership was ultimately forced into a change of heart. Last Sunday, 25^th January, they issued a statement in which they admitted; “We did not tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough, or loud enough…Our hearts are grieved, and embarrassed.”

Johnson is candid in his personal response, even admitting that he had had communication with a Bolz victim prior to his unfortunate 2023 TV endorsement of Bolz. Johnson’s failure here is in part because, as others have said and as he says himself; “I believe in people when they don’t deserve it,” (a positive trait in general, but also suggesting an inability to recognise wolves in sheep’s clothing.) He admitted his failure to act was partly because he’s “not good at confrontation. I willingly rally to those in trouble. But in this instance, I did this at the expense of the victims.”

The overall apology, appearing, as it does, to take ownership of the matter and not making excuses, has been widely welcomed, even though if many feel it doesn't go far enough, and it appears to be a form of belated reputation control.

Meanwhile, Bolz remains entirely unrepentant. Refusing to respond to any of the charges being levelled against him, this week, he issued a statement announcing he is stepping back from public ministry and into a season of ‘sabbatical’ (a seeming code word to spiritually distance himself from the scandal, and perhaps give time to re-reinvent his ministry).

Where’s the discernment?

Amidst the mayhem, a number of Bethel supporters have jumped to Bethel’s defence. They note that Shawn was never a Bethel leader or a member of staff. Leaders can’t police the secret life of every guest speaker. Bethel made a big mistake, but they’ve now repented of it. End of.

But the cover-up by Bethel leadership that led to thousands of ordinary believers being deceived – and some seriously harmed – in full knowledge that he was a fraudster (and a sexual deviant) is no ‘mistake’. It is, firstly, a serious error of judgement on an ongoing basis by one of the most influential churches in the world.

It is, firstly, a serious error of judgement on an ongoing basis by one of the most influential churches in the world.

But it is also more serious even than that. Bethel purports to be a leading, pioneering ‘prophetic ministry’, and Kris Vallotton is widely regarded as a leading ‘prophet’ within the Bethel stream. If they can endorse and promote charlatan ‘prophets’ like Shawn Bolz (and other dodgy characters) over many years – what does that say about their own spiritual discernment and wisdom? How was it that nobody within that large team spoke up and called out this fakery and abuse – why didn’t they suss it out themselves by hearing from God? Spiritual discernment is a gift of the Spirit and Bethel takes great pride in pursuing these gifts. What are we to make of the dissonance?

Remember, this is far from the first time Bill Johnson has shown a shocking lack of discernment. He was one of the team of global charismatic leaders who –before a live global audience, and rubbing shoulders with Che Ann, Mike Bickle, Paul Cain and numerous other mavericks who should have known better – showered ridiculous praise and ‘prophetic’ affirmation on another obviously fake player within charismatic ranks (Todd Bentley). Talk about the blind leading the blind.

Inviting judgement

It should be clear by now that what’s being called into question is the spiritual discernment, wisdom and integrity of leadership, not just within Bethel, but in the wider prophetic movement and charismatic Church, many of which big names repeatedly shared platforms with Shawn Bolz, wrote glowing commendations for his books and conferences, and by other means heartily endorsed him. The same goes for the various Christian media groups (especially TBN Network), which regularly supported and platformed him – and continue to.  

There is no space here to discuss Bethel theology and the church’s involvement in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Bethel teaching (and practice) has long been a mixture of the very good and the definitely not so good. I have no desire to be a ‘Bethel basher’ and have no personal axe to grind – plenty of others spend their lives in that pursuit. I don’t want to see Bill Johnson or Bethel thrown under the bus. Their decades-long pursuit, legacy and sacrifice is, rather, to be applauded.

It's a fear-of-God inducing thought, that one day the motivations and secrets of all our hearts will indeed be laid bare”. 

And let’s remember something my former pastor recently pointed out in regard to this whole matter; “When we feel the need to point out the faults and/or sins of a ministry or individual or church (which we were maybe against in the first place, if we are honest), we are inviting God to judge us in the same spirit (delighting in finding wrong?) and to the same level of scrutiny and public exposure. It's a fear-of-God inducing thought, that one day the motivations and secrets of all our hearts will indeed be laid bare”. 

Bringing to light

Aware of such ‘fear-of-God-inducing thought’, I yet cannot but welcome the exposure of these serious wrongdoings within both the Bolz and Bethel camps; malpractices that, quite frankly, those within the charismatic Church should have confronted and exposed donkeys years ago.

What seems clear is that God is bringing a reckoning within the charismatic movement. Longstanding patterns of secrecy and cover-ups are being exposed, and what was long hidden is now being brought into the clear light.

The prophetic movement, in particular, is being shaken radically. Let’s hope the shaking results in increased transparency and integrity. As for the charismatic movement in general, a radical process of reformation is long overdue. To what degree this is likely to occur is difficult to predict.

It’s certainly not guaranteed. Just the other day I saw an advert on Charisma News online – America’s leading charismatic media source – promoting Bolz's podcasts.

And so it continues....