The founder a Christian charity abused his position as a religious leader over a 40-year period to psychologically abuse his victims and carry out inappropriate relationships with young people, including wrestling and massaging them, a report has concluded.

The findings have emerged at the end of investigation into Mike Pilavachi by the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team and the diocese of St Albans.

It found that safeguarding concerns “are substantiated” against Pilavachi, who founded Christian charity Soul Survivor Watford. He also set up the Soul Survivor Christian youth festival.

Concerns relate to his conduct spanning 40 years as a youth leader through to this year. This includes before and after he was ordained in 2012.

“It was concluded that he used his spiritual authority to control people and that his coercive and controlling behaviour led to inappropriate relationships, the physical wrestling of youths and massaging of young male interns,” found the investigation.

“The overall substantiated concerns are described as an abuse of power relating to his ministry, and spiritual abuse; described in guidance as ‘a form of emotional and psychological abuse characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context’.”

The CoE has praised “the courage” of survivors that have come forward.

Pilavachi has resigned his licence to the Bishop of St Albans Alan Smith and can no longer be a minister in the Church of England.

“This has been a painful process for everyone involved, going back over years,” said Smith.

“I am sorry on behalf of the Church for the hurt caused and would like to acknowledge the courage of those who came forward to share their lived experience. I am aware there will be further contact with individuals about a more personalised response.”

In July Pilavachi resigned his position as associate pastor with Soul Survivor Watford. This followed his suspension by the charity’s board of trustees in March amid the CoE investigation.

“We are deeply sorry to all those people who have been victims of spiritual, emotional and psychological abuse, physical wrestling and massage under Mike’s leadership,” said the charity.

“There has been a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. We are saddened that these behaviours happened in a context that should have provided safety and spiritual support.

“We are committed to learning lessons from what has happened and to put in place further practices and procedures that will seek to ensure this kind of behaviour does not happen in the future.”

The Church of England investigation has also revealed that a senior pastor at Soul Survivor remains suspended under HR processes but stressed “the vast majority of the safeguarding concerns raised related to Mike Pilavachi and his abuse of power in the ministry”.

Soul Survivor has confirmed this suspended senior pastor is Revd Andy Croft.

Safeguarding concerns raised about another figure at the charity, assistant pastor Ali Martin, who had also been suspended, have not been substantiated. Her suspension will now be lifted, and she will “be reintegrating back into her role over the coming weeks”.

Further investigations about concerns raised relating to a former senior church of England leader linked with the charity’s festival are ongoing, the CoE investigation team added.

Charity to launch investigation

Soul Survivor has confirmed that it has commissioned Fiona Scolding KC to lead a separate, independent review into concerns.

“The terms of reference of the investigation will be published in the coming weeks and the report of Ms Scolding’s review will be published in full. The Trustees are committed to implementing her recommendations,” said the charity.

“We are aware of the hurt many individuals have and continue to experience as a result of Mike’s abuse and are truly sorry for the part Soul Survivor has played,” the charity added.

“We have been working with the NST to provide counselling and advocacy support to the individuals they have identified as finding it most beneficial. We remain committed to ensuring our church is safe and welcoming for all.”

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