Official Documentary for ‘Let There Be Light.’
‘Let There Be Light’ explores the pattern of abuse experienced over a period of four decades under the leadership of Mike Pilavachi in the UK church. A Church of England safeguarding report substantiated claims of emotional, physical and spiritual harm. This documentary explores the story of what happened – and lessons the Church must learn for the future.
©️ Phos Media LLC
Music by Nathan Nockels, used by permission.
Please note that the information and advice provided in these videos are general in nature and are not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health treatment or advice. If you are a victim, have suffered abuse, and feel you need support we strongly encourage you to seek professional help. You are not alone, and it is important that your voice be heard. For a list of recommended organizations that can offer support visit https://www.lettherebelight.life/
23 Comments
This is a story that Beth and I needed to tell. We want this documentary to speak up for the many victims of Mike Pilavachi at Soul Survivor and at the same time ask how we might become a safer and healthier Church in the future. Let there be light.
POOR GUY MIKE PILAVACHI, HE SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WHO JUST NEEDS JESUS TO SAVE HIM FROM HIMSELF ! ! !
TO MIKE PILAVACHI:- REPENT & FULLY GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS NOW WHO IS WAITING FOR YOU ! ! !
TO MIKE PILAVACHI:- SEEK & FIND & FULLY GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS NOW WHILE HE CAN STILL BE FOUND BECAUSE YOU ARE 66 YEARS OLD NOW MIKE & YOU DON'T KNOW (WELL NO ONE KNOWS!!!???) HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE LEFT ON PLANET EARTH & YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP IN A LOST ETERNITY WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS ! ! !
THE ABUSED DON'T ALWAYS BECOME THE ABUSERS BUT MIKE PILAVACHI MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THIS ? ? ?
ABUSE = ABNORMAL USE ! ! !
Church of England needs helppppp
It's not just MP but the whole evangelical strain in the Church that is abusive. Young teenagers are routinely emotionally manipulated, told they are broken, and peer-pressured into performing a charismatic experience. It is a two-dimensional form of Christian worship and teaching, which seems friendly and fun but imparts very conservative values. Completely unqualified adults are controlling toward vulnerable young people who are looking for community. It leaves a painful guilt-ridden legacy in the lives of people who get away from it. 'Youth leaders' are often well intentioned people who have no idea of the damage they do. This was my experience and that of a number of people I know. The Church can be so much more and do so much better – Church life can be nourishing and priests can be positive figures in people's lives – but it has been a mistake for the CofE to embrace the easy congregation-growing solution of evangelical churches
As someone who was spiritually abused as a student and still struggle with the words that were said over me by this leader – thank you! When I raised my issue regarding this leader I had the same response “that is just the way they are and they will never change”. Accountability is vital to have a healthy church – to many leaders have been allowed to behave in unhealthy and abuse ways due to the power they have and have been left unchecked – God please clean up your church
It sounds too much like Mike Bickle from IHOPKC 😢. Same type of personality, even similar inappropriate boundaries….and horrific sexual and spiritual abuse. "Thats just Mike" is what most would excuse the things they watched and heard . It has been absolutely heart breaking and shocking. The body of Christ is really broken now. There's not one church pastor I would trust personally, much less joining a group of believers to share and try to be a community or close to. Picking up my cross daily and following Jesus really has a lonely sound to it. I am devastated to learn of all of this happening to you and your people there…..and to the 10s of thousands of young people hurt.😢❤❤❤ Much love and prayers to you all
Let those without sin cast the first stone. Praying for both sides.
A friend of mine used to say about leadership. We are all sinners, if we forget that, stuff gets out of balance.
I remember Mike Pilavachi talking really belittleling about Tim Hughes in a sermon.. like; 'there is this tiny worship leader… his name is Timmy..' i didn't think it was funny at the time.. but now I'm really like wow.. what was going on backstage!? Thanks Matt for talking about it .
One of the most misused and abused scriptures in this context is the phrase "Touch not the Lord's anointed"…
Praying for all those affected by this wrongdoing. Praying for Gods healing and restoration. With God, all things are possible. 🙏
These are very very sad accounts by people who have been subject to abuse…. My only concern is this…. How do we define spiritual abuse? If we mean using Scripture to falsely claim that a lie is truthful then surely that person is a false convert / teacher who is disqualified from church leadership…!
Wow this is raw and painful. Thank Matt and Beth for bringing this into the light, bless you.
I praise God for your courage Matt and Beth. You both come across as godly people who have been hurt, disappointed but maintained your strong faith.
As someone who is currently considering church ministry, this has given me so much to think about on this journey. I’m so grateful you have shared this awful story in such a calm and clear way, without drama and instead deep compassion for the victims of this abuse. I hope and pray that God will bring them the love, support and healing they need.
God is cleaning His house. Let His justice roll.
Just cause you never noticed stuff going on doesn’t mean it didn’t
So unless it happens to you then you ll believe it real how absurd
I’ve had that abuse where others have said well he or she is never like that with me
I’d say WAKE UP AND TAKE TIME TO LISTEN
Waiting for them to investigate abuse in Street Pastors
Thank you for bringing this horrible sin into the light. God is not unaware and justice will win in the end. How sad for the continued victimization of so many young people – Although this is different in that it is a Christian ministry it is so like the recent "out into the light" of the predators at Nickelodeon! God is aware of it all! I love Matt and Beth Redman and thank you so much for sharing and I'm so sorry for your sexual abuses as a child Matt – I also experienced sexual abuse for many years as a young girl and it has rocked my world and my life to say the least. There is a whole lifetime of healing that must take place. I praise Jesus for saving me and loving me because I don't know where I would be in my healing if it weren't for His rescue. Yes, I'm 63 years old and still dealing with it – but I look forward to One Day "no more tears, no more anger, no more abuse"! One of my favorite songs of yours Matt! I'd love to see you at a worship experience someday but I'm glad that I will one day see you in Heaven – I hope that you are leading the worship – HAHA!! Glory to God! God Bless – Prayers for the end of all Abuses!! Prayers for complete Healing on Earth because of Jesus!