Bethel Church has announced that an independent investigator will examine sexual abuse allegations made against Ben Armstrong, the church's prophetic ministry director, while a separate third-party expert will review the church's governance, leadership structure, and culture.
The Redding, California-based church shared the update weeks after placing Armstrong on administrative leave. In a statement, Bethel said the church is in a "season" requiring "sobriety and care" and emphasized the need for clear accountability structures, the safety of those engaging with the ministry, and leadership standards that reflect Scripture.
According to the church, Sintra Group Investigations, a California-based firm that uses trauma-informed investigative protocols, will lead the independent investigation into the allegations against Armstrong. Bethel also said it will communicate more concrete next steps to its congregation in the coming weeks as the process unfolds.
The allegations stem from claims made earlier this year by a woman identified as Sarah, who said Armstrong groomed and sexually assaulted her in 2008 and 2009 while she was a 23-year-old Bethel intern and student at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. She alleged that Armstrong crossed emotional and physical boundaries under the guise of acting as a "spiritual father." Armstrong has previously described the relationship as a consensual affair.
In a previous statement, Bethel said the events described would have occurred prior to a known moral failure in 2009, for which Armstrong publicly repented, was removed from ministry, and underwent what the church described as a multi-year restoration process. At the time, Bethel characterized that failure as a consensual affair with a colleague.
In its latest response, Bethel said accountability is "not just right, but necessary," and stated that it does not take lightly the pain of those who have spoken up. The church also acknowledged that it now has a more informed understanding of appropriate boundaries between leaders and congregants, as well as the power dynamics that can shape those relationships.
Bethel Church, widely known for Bethel Music and the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, said it intends to revisit its previous processes not only in response to the current allegations but also to strengthen how it pastors and leads in the future
