24/7 Prayer International CEO suspended

The board of 24-7 Prayer International has suspended CEO Mike Andrea following "serious allegations of historic misconduct".

The allegations have come from former members of Global Generation Church in Thanet, Kent, which has also suspended Mr Andrea from his leadership role.

The board met on November 16, the day after a former member of the church posted allegations online.

"We unanimously agreed to suspend Mike Andrea immediately in order to conduct an investigation with the benefit of professional, independent counsel," the 24-7 trustees said in a statement.

They said the allegations "relate to events prior to 2011, before Mike's appointment as CEO of 24-7 Prayer in 2019".

The board indicated that before their decision to suspend Mr Andrea, they had been made aware of other allegations "from several other former church members over recent weeks, which have become the subject of an ongoing investigation by the elders and trustees of Global Generation Church".

"We take all such allegations as matters of the gravest concern," the trustees said.

They added: "At the present time there have been no allegations of impropriety relating to Mike Andrea's role as operational head of 24-7 Prayer International."

Global Generation Church's board of elders and trustees also issued a statement saying, "Yesterday allegations were posted online, against Mike and Stella Andrea, leaders of Global International Church in Thanet. The allegations have been made by a former member of the church and relate to events prior to 2011."

The board said it had suspended Mr and Mrs Andrea "immediately", and that it was committed to "an independent and thorough process".

The statement confirmed: "We have been made aware over the last few weeks of allegations against Mike Andrea from several former church members.

"These have been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the elders and trustees of Global Generation Church.

"This process has been in consultation with our external advisor from 24-7 Prayer International.

"This will be reviewed by an independent professional organisation specialising in this level of complaint. We will commit to an independent and thorough process."

Mike Andrea has been contacted for comment. 

News
We need to rethink what it means to be a grandparent
We need to rethink what it means to be a grandparent

I have felt, in my own life, the joy that grandparenting can bring. But I have also come to see how unevenly that joy, and that responsibility, is shared, says Kim Samuel, founder of the Belonging Forum.

Christian nationalists 'are neither patriots nor Christians', says Church of England's parliamentary rep
Christian nationalists 'are neither patriots nor Christians', says Church of England's parliamentary rep

The Second Church Estates Commissioner made the comments in response to questions from MPs.

Hundreds of churches prepare to welcome Franklin Graham’s ‘God Loves You Tour’ to Manchester
Hundreds of churches prepare to welcome Franklin Graham’s ‘God Loves You Tour’ to Manchester

Close to 600 churches across the North West are getting ready for a major evangelistic event in Manchester next month, where Franklin Graham is expected to address thousands at the Co-op Live arena.

James Orr stands down as adviser to Reform after donations sting
James Orr stands down as adviser to Reform after donations sting

Cambridge theologian James Orr has stepped down as head of policy for Reform UK following a sting operation by climate activists.