By Howard Cooper —
Bethel Church in Redding, California, has issued a heartfelt public apology following explosive allegations of prophetic deception and sexual misconduct involving former guest minister Shawn Bolz, as detailed in a nearly six-hour investigative video by Christian apologist Mike Winger.
The video, titled “The Skeletons in Bethel’s Closet Are Now Going to Speak,” released on January 17, 2026, has garnered over a million views and sent ripples through the charismatic Christian community. In it, Winger presents evidence—including testimonies from former Bolz Ministries employees—claiming that Bolz fabricated “words of knowledge” by researching personal details on social media and presenting them as divine revelation.
The exposé also alleges years of sexually inappropriate and harassing behavior toward male staff members, including nonconsensual acts and creating an abusive environment.
Bethel leaders, including senior leader Bill Johnson, senior associate leader Kris Vallotton, and lead pastor Dann Farrelly, addressed the congregation tearfully during services on January 25, 2026. In a five-page open letter posted on the church’s website that same day, they acknowledged their failures in handling the matter.
“We take responsibility for the fact that we did not properly and fully bring discipline, closure, or clear and timely communication regarding the gravity of our concerns with Shawn Bolz,” the statement reads. “We did not tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough, or loud enough, and this is a just criticism. Our hearts are grieved, and embarrassed.”
The leaders explained that concerns about Bolz surfaced around 2019, when former employees raised allegations of misconduct and deceptive prophetic practices. Bethel distanced themselves privately—banning him from platforms and warning some associates—but did not issue broader public warnings or full discipline at the time.
They emphasized that Bolz bears primary responsibility for his alleged actions, which he has denied, but admitted their own inaction contributed to ongoing harm and mistrust.
“We are clear that we are not responsible for Shawn’s sin, he is. But we are equally clear that we are responsible for our sins, actions, and inactions after the fact,” the letter states. They expressed specific apologies to victims who endured Bolz’s alleged inappropriate culture and those impacted by potentially misleading prophetic words.
The situation has prompted calls for greater accountability in charismatic circles, with Winger urging extreme action from leaders to address what he describes as a pattern of cover-up. Bethel’s response includes commitments to improved transparency, support for those harmed, and new accountability measures.
As one of the most influential megachurches in the charismatic movement, Bethel’s rare public repentance has been met with mixed reactions—some praising the humility, others noting it came only after external exposure. The church continues to affirm its commitment to healing and integrity in prophetic ministry.
This developing story underscores the importance of truth-telling and protection in the Body of Christ, reminding believers that no platform or person is above scrutiny when trust is broken.
