Bethel apologizes for failing to take appropriate action after alleged sexual misconduct by Christian ministry leader Shawn Bolz
In a statement this week, Bethel senior leaders Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton acknowledged they didn’t do enough when one or more alleged victims confided in them.
Editor’s Note: Please be aware that this story contains allegations related to sexual misconduct. Read with care. If you have experienced harm, help is available.
Bethel’s lead pastor Dan Farrelly’s voice broke as he greeted his congregation on Sunday morning.
“The truth is we did not properly and fully discipline, and bring to closure, and bring out the truth of a very important situation involving a man named Shawn Bolz,” Farrelly told parishioners, during the January 25 service at Bethel’s campus in north Redding.
The same day, Bethel leadership also released a 2,700-word open letter regarding the church’s relationship with Bolz, who Bethel regularly platformed up until 2019. That’s when Bethel leaders say they first became aware of sexual misconduct allegations against Bolz as well as allegations that he misled parishioners about his ability to communicate directly with God.
The church publicly addressed some concerns about Bolz in a limited way nearly a year ago, but leaders now say they didn’t take proper accountability regarding Bolz’s alleged harm, including failing to publicize the allegations to Bethel’s congregation and school alumni which now total 18,000, they say.
Yesterday’s letter from Bethel leadership came after a five-and-a-half-hour video related to the allegations was released on Jan. 17 by Mike Winger, a Christian YouTuber and ordained minister.
Shawn Bolz Ministries did not respond to Shasta Scout’s request for comment today regarding these allegations. Bolz describes himself online as a TV host, news commentator, media producer and Christian minister. The organization’s website indicates the ministry is “on a sabbatical” and Bolz’s Instagram and X accounts have been disabled.
In his video, Winger claimed to have spoken with three unnamed former employees of Bolz, who described witnessing Bolz’s allegedly nonconsensual sexual actions with male staff and spiritual mentees.
“Bill Johnson and Bethel leadership knew about this for nearly five years, at least,” Winger claimed, characterizing Bethel’s response as “cover-up culture.”
In yesterday’s letter from Bethel, the church’s highest ranking leadership weighed in. Mentioning a recent video, they agreed they had not adequately responded to allegations of sexual misconduct by Bolz that were brought to them directly. They claimed the allegations were corroborated, but didn’t cite specific details about what alleged sexual misconduct was involved.
A recent change of heart
On Jan. 18, one day after Winger’s video on Bolz was released, Vallotton spoke to the congregation during a Sunday night sermon in which he claimed that the church was not the appropriate venue to investigate accusations of misconduct. He added that publicly disclosing such allegations would empower “unbelievers” to undermine the legitimacy of churches.
“I don’t have investigators… I don’t have a court system that figures out if a person who says they’re innocent isn’t innocent,” he told his parishioners.
Yesterday, Vallotton expressed a change of heart, writing that his words last week were a “one-sided message that lacked compassion and awareness.” He also admitted that when an alleged victim of Bolz confided in him some time ago, he ended the communication after several conversations due to “personal overwhelm.”
Research has shown only a small percentage of sexual assault allegations that end up going to trial are found to be false — around 5.9%, according to a study by the National Sexual Violence Research Center. This data point is compounded by surveys that have found that the vast majority of sexual assaults are never reported at all, partially due to victims’ fears that they won’t be believed or advocated for.
Bethel referenced its failure to prioritize the safety of parishioners in the letter released yesterday. “The truth is we have hurt and scared people because we did not tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough or loud enough,” leaders wrote, indicating that the church should have publicly acknowledged the allegations in 2020 after private efforts to confront Bolz were ineffective.
Though Bethel no longer invited Bolz to speak publicly at Bethel after these allegations were disclosed to them in 2019, Vallotton said he made a mistake in not publicizing the allegations about Bolz’s behavior. “We should have told our church and wider community in 2020. We did not. That was wrong,” he wrote.
“We platformed him,” the letter said, “and when he failed, and failed to repent, it was our responsibility to tell people that we no longer trusted him in order to protect them.”
Bill Johnson, Bethel’s senior-most leader, described a similar dynamic, as he struggled to come to terms with the allegations and act accordingly.
“I didn’t want to believe the accusations against Shawn were true, and it blinded me to reality in my loyalty to a friend, neglecting that there was a real issue that needed to be addressed,” Johnson wrote.
Using spiritual gifts for harm
Bethel leaders also said they have long been aware that Bolz had been accused of sharing “false words of knowledge,” indicating their current belief that the accusations carry merit.
As is common among churches that researchers and journalists have categorized as part of the New Apostolic Reformation, Bethel teaches that certain people are bestowed with the gift of prophecy.
According to Bethel, gifted believers can deliver “prophetic words” to other worshipers, revealing a potential solution to a private problem or a sign about the future. In this context “prophets” often use “words of knowledge” to validate their prophecies, sharing information about the person in front of them that they’re not expected to know, thereby proving their ability to receive intel from God.
In its letter, Bethel said that European church leaders “came forward with evidence” that Bolz had been allegedly utilizing social media to background those personal details about certain parishioners before a service. Bolz’s knowledge of those characteristics — such as a worshiper’s mother’s name or address — would then allegedly be used as he delivered prophetic messages, allowing him to appear as he had divined the information through a miraculous intuition.
One alleged victim of this kind of prophesying recently shared a video on Facebook. Jubilee Dawns claimed that one of Bolz’s prophecies encouraged her to marry her former abusive husband, because she believed Bolz’s words were “God’s will.”
“He called out where I worked, he got my information off of Facebook,” Dawns alleged.
Bethel’s next steps
Bethel’s letter also announced a new process within the church that facilitates the ability of potential victims to report alleged abuse. “When we are pursuing justice,” Bethel stated, explaining the change in perspective behind the new approach, “we must place the victim as the first priority, followed by serving the church, and then we work to restore the victimizer.”
Known as Safe Church, the process utilizes a third-party reporting service called Syntrio so that parishioners are able to report if they’ve been subject to verbally, physically or sexually abusive behavior.
According to Bethel’s site, after allegations are submitted via the reporting service, “members of the Safe Church team” will review the report with staff from Syntrio to decide whether an investigation is appropriate.
If the church does move forward with an investigation, the website says that it “may involve contacting law enforcement and/or legal counsel, conducting interviews with the reporter, any individual(s) named in the report, or others as deemed necessary (i.e. witnesses).”
Bethel did not respond to Shasta Scout’s inquiry on whether members of Safe Church are Bethel-affiliated or how they’ve vetted.
Bethel’s Safe Church page does state that the new reporting process “[is] not intended in any way to limit, alter, or interfere with any mandated reporting requirements as defined by state and federal statutes.” California law requires clergy members to report suspected child and elder abuse.
If you have information to share related to misconduct by church leaders and would like to speak to a reporter, reach out to editor@shastascout.org. Your information will be kept completely confidential unless you provide explicit permission for Shasta Scout to use information you’ve shared in future reporting. Available resources for sexual harassment victims can be found on the California Attorney General website.
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
Comments (21)
Leave a comment
Related Articles
Garman withdraws from Shasta’s District 5 race, endorses Gallagher
Former Shasta supervisor Tim Garman has pulled out of the race for District 5, a seat currently held by Shasta County Board Chair Chris Kelstrom. Garman has endorsed Mike Gallagher, a current Anderson City Council member.
Recording contradicts lead Shasta attorney’s claim about election official’s remarks on county property
This week, county supervisors discussed whether Shasta election official Clint Curtis might have violated county policy by making campaign-related statements on county property. The county’s attorney said he had reviewed a single comment which would be viewed as only an “incidental.” A recording of the event illuminates many similar statements.
Anderson Union High School District board rejects rehiring of former West Valley football coach
Greg Grandell resigned from West Valley in 2020 after students came forward with allegations of ritualized hazing among players, something Grandell has denied knowledge of. The former coach was on a new hire list presented by district staff to the AUHSD board last night, where he was unanimously rejected.
My cynical self wonders if Bethel got a cut of Mr. Boltz’s proceeds when he spoke under their sponsorship or reference in the wider Apostolic Reformation cult community. Hence their reluctance to acknowledge the truth until the proverbial cat had all four paws out of the bag.
Translation: “Sorry this came to light.”
.
Covering for Associate Prophet Bro’s sexual misconduct is hardly surprising. That’s the standard practice in evangelical Christianity grift circles.
.
Vollotton’s initial protest that he and Bethel are incapable of investigating is pathetic. Private businesses, school districts, and government agencies do such internal investigations regularly—that’s part of why HR departments exist. Are we supposed to believe that an economic juggernaut as big as Bethel has no HR capabilities? Vollotton was forced to avert his gaze owing to incompetence? Absolutely no shame.
Suprised? Oh, chicken feathers, what did you expect? It’s a Cult; a 7 Mt. Arm of the MAGA. Lots of tax-free $$$ from selling their special Kool-Aid. Direct ties to the adjudicated rapist himself and his minion Republican extremists. Leaders romp around because God and the Constitution gave us impunity!
Now get down on your knees and buy our Kindom Cult bling, lots of books, coffy, music, and a new house from Bethe Properties (We’re not related, wink, wink), and BY THE WAY, I need a new Maserati so I can drive Jesus around in class when he finally hits town!
Hey, don’t forget! We’re booking now for our new production called “The Second Coming.” Rumor has it that the Honorable Mike Jhonson, Speaker of the House, will be the opening act, selling and signing “The Revivalist Manifesto.” Don’t miss it! Tickets start at $ 1,000.00, and Backstage Pass is only $10,000. That’s a deal!
How sickening period.
Bill Johnson and his team spoke up because they had to. Their sins found them out! Such weak leadership and how scary. 😱 He will have to answer to God and it’s not going to be pretty. So thankful I’m not connected to that system. I feel for the victims and the congregants that trusted them. At this point how risky to continue attending and to put your trust in them after poor decision making from the leaders. They put their movement and money above the welfare of their church body. I’ll bet there’s more to come.
Johnson and Vollotton are mandated reporters. Didn’t notify authorities?
Sickening.
This kind of thing is EXACTLY why I don’t support ANY organized religion. In almost every case, it’s about money and power. Mostly by men.
Kris was right the first time. A person’s first answer is almost always the right one. It’s not Bethel or his business. If you have a problem, go to the police.
Nonsense.
It was absolutley the responsibility of spiritual leaders who were promoting him publicly & giving him a name, to admonish him and expose him.
Tell us you have no real-world experience with the subject without telling us you have no real-world experience with the subject. Sexual coercion is not only illegal, but also grounds for a civil lawsuit. But in the lawsuit case, you lose leverage if you don’t report the sexual misconduct to the organization and give them the opportunity to investigate and exert zero tolerance. Bethel got that opportunity and marched on their own collective junk instead.
Respectfully, you must not be aware of the law. All church/school leaders and personnel are mandatory reporters! Most sexual abuse victims don’t go straight to the police. They go to people they think they can trust at a church or school. That is why these people are held to the upmost standard for protecting victims of abuse. Bethel is completely culpable and this cover-up culture is reprehensible. Johnson and Vallaton offer pathetically reasons for not reporting this to the police and their congregation. They obviously care nothing about their flock, caring more about their reputation and platform; ie: money and power. God is cleaning house and he will make clear what he expects. His standards are even higher than the law requires. Ezekiel 34 comes to mind.
Hi, Kris here, Bethel has “donated” a LOT to the Redding po-po (some are our congregants) soooo….no justice for victims.
“Hey Bill, your parking is about to expire, do you want me to move your Aston Martin? Oh that’s right, it’s taken care of!”
Oh my, I’m about to go into a fit of personal overwhelm, sorry not sorry, victims!
———-
But seriously, well said, Yvonne, I totally agree and read Ezekiel 33-34 too when it all came out.
It feels like this is the era of sexual deviants. Trump and Bethel protect sexual predators. I don’t care how uncomfortable hearing about someone’s victimization makes you. How do you suppose the victims feel? Speak up and do something. Don’t just wring your hands, ACT.
Of course they’re going to cover up promoting a sexual predator! And they’d still be doing it if they didn’t get outed. They don’t care about anything but money— given the choice between doing the right thing or protecting their bank account, they chose their money. Their so-called apology seems fake. It seems more like damage control.
“[Vallotton] added that publicly disclosing such allegations would empower “unbelievers” to undermine the legitimacy of churches.”
Ah, yes! The ol’ “Cheeks in the seats” defense. I’m SURE this is the one and only account of sexual abuse that has ever happened (or will happen!) at that “church.” Move over Catholic priests! Make room at the Table of Abusers! Between MAGA, religious frauds, and local politicians, it’s getting mighty crowded! 😀
Bethel has ALWAYS been an anti gay, homophobic bunch of cult Jaggernuts.
Bethel’s branch, ” changed” group is a bunch of greatly confused individuals who are told to just stop being gay and , ” pray away the gay”
Bethel’s illegal gay conversation therapy group, changed already has a million dollar wrongful lawsuit pending from the family whose son committed suicide, because of the pressures from the changed group to not be gay! Yet, Kris Vollotton and his son, Jason Vollotton, make money by writing books and speaking engagements on how Jason isn’t gay anymore because he prayed the fat away!?!! Seriously, if there wasn’t money in it for those two Grifters, they would sell their souls to keep the cash coming in!
Does anyone else find it odd that Bethel puts out hate towards the LGBTQ community, yet they hid the very fact that sexual misconduct was happening at bethel and Bill Johnson and Kris Vollotton did nothing about it!?! Between this sexual predator scandal, and Bethel’s failure to raise a member’s dead 2 year old from the county morgue, hopefully locals will see EXACTLY what bethel is, a dangerous money hungry cult of crazies! Run them out of Redding before more people get hurt or commit suicide!
Just as it’s okay for you not to be, it’s okay for others to be.
Leaders, pastors, etc… become close friends. They are very public figures and therefore very vulnerable. They don’t easily trust public accusations, cos many are false. Furthermore, such an accusation is so terrible and hard to believe and dangerous to a ministry’s good name, even if proven false, that they act irresponsibly and without trust and deep compassion for the victim. They are too trusting, too naive, lacking the gift of discernment and too emotionally and soulishly involved with their colleagues, rather than spiritually. No one is above investigation and thorough correction, especially within the church. This church needs the gift of discernment and compassion for those victims suffering from sexual immorality. Leaders need training for this. Also, they need to go through inner healing and deliverance before they become leaders, no matter what their spiritual talents are. Leaders need to be kept accountable and not be above public correction at all times when their has been any misleading. If the leader does not acknowledge and repent publically for spiritual mistakes, or lying they need to be removed from leadership. Liars, definately need to be removed from leadership even if they repent. And maybe restored years later, if they have proved to have changed. Still they need to be accountable to others at all times. Not cos they can’t be trusted, cos most can be, but cos its good to always be an open book. Sex offenders should not be allowed to be come leaders.
“Sex offenders should not be allowed to become leaders”. I agree. Our current president is a sex offender, but Bethel leaders support him and his Antichrist actions 100%. Does that trouble you? It should.
Be very careful of accusations you make of what you have no proof of. President Trump has Never been found guilty of your comments. Just more Hate Trump garbage.
Nicky, that is a seriously weird defense of the indefensible. “Ooh, they’re just too trusting…too naive!” Kris Vollotton isn’t naive. He’s a former used-car salesman who still employs the tools of that trade.
Shasta Scout has to attempt impartiality in their reporting and I respect that to the utmost. I do not. This disgusting cult has always been a money grift playing on an Scientology, Amway-like business networking opportunity….but now theyve somehow found a way to sink even deeper into the sewer by copying the Catholic model. They chose to protect a pedophile buddy over their donors. Really? “Personal overwhelm?” Utter betrayal from amoral executives. Bill Johnson, BJ, the big gross BJ that no one believes is a prophet betrays his Church. Yuck yuck yuck. 🤮