In November 2021* we became aware of serious concerns about Mike Andrea who was serving at that time as the CEO of the organisation behind 24-7 Prayer International. In response to these concerns the Trustees of 24-7 Prayer International immediately suspended Mike Andrea in order to conduct a thorough, third-party investigation. We also established confidential response channels through which any additional concerns could be reported.
Working with the Trustees of Global Generation Church, where Mike Andrea previously served as senior pastor, we jointly commissioned Loch Associates, a highly experienced and integrated legal and HR advisory firm to conduct an independent investigation into the concerns being expressed. After a rigorous investigative process Loch Associates have now submitted their report.
Some significant concerns relating to Mike Andrea’s role in the local church have been substantiated by Loch Associates, and we understand that these are now being addressed by the Trustees of Global Generation Church. No concerns were raised, however, relating directly to Mike Andrea’s role with the 24-7 Prayer organisation.
The most serious concerns submitted to Loch Associates implied breaches of law. Early on in the process, both the police and Local Authority Safeguarding Officer concluded that there was no area of concern in this regard nor was there evidence of criminality. However, the report did identify areas of conduct within the local church context which fell below the standard expected of a senior Christian leader. Having carefully and prayerfully considered the findings of the report, we have therefore asked Mike Andrea to step down from his position as CEO of the 24-7 Prayer International organisation.
Furthermore, we are requiring Mike Andrea to submit to a process of personal and professional training and development, to which he has agreed, prior to considering any new role within the organisation that has yet to be defined. Alongside this we will be conducting a full and thorough review of the culture within 24-7 Prayer’s various international operational teams and will recruit a new CEO. In the short-term we are grateful to Brian Heasley who has agreed to continue serving as interim CEO.
For 22 years 24-7 Prayer has been seeking to serve the church of Jesus Christ and we continue to be radically committed to prayer, mission and justice. This has been one of the most challenging situations that we have faced as an organisation in that time and we are grateful to those who have spoken up courageously to help us continue to become more like Jesus. We know there are areas where we have failed, and for that we are truly sorry.
We would ask you to continue to remember those who have been most deeply hurt by these experiences in your prayers.
Adrian Eagleson (Chair)
On behalf of the 24-7 Prayer International Board of Trustees
*Allegations were first made publicly against Mike Andrea, naming 24-7 Prayer, in November 2021. We were aware that private concerns had been raised in September 2021 and were being addressed in the context of the local church.
