24/7 Prayer International CEO suspended

Mike Andrea (Photo: Global Generation Church)

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
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents

The House of Lords is being urged to vote in favour of abolishing controversial non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). 

World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace
World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace

The Church leaders said that the recent escalation in Iran and the Middle East had only added to the "distressing list" of ongoing conflicts including those in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and Myanmar.

Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report
Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report

Faith communities across Wales are delivering social action worth at least £250m a year while playing a vital role in addressing poverty, loneliness and mental health pressures.

How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested
How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested

The first thing Christians must do is uphold the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.