Bethel Church Pastor Ben Armstrong Suspended After Former Student Exposes 16 Years of Hidden Clergy Sexual Abuse
Bethel Church suspends Prophetic Ministry director Ben Armstrong after former BSSM student publicly accuses him of clergy sexual abuse dating back to 2009.
Bethel Church Suspends Prophetic Ministry Director Ben Armstrong After Former Student Publicly Accuses Him of Clergy Sexual Abuse
Leaders at Bethel Church in Redding, California, announced on Sunday, February 15, 2026, that Ben Armstrong, the church's Prophetic Ministry director and former BSSM Revival Group pastor, has been placed on administrative leave.
The decision came after a YouTube video surfaced in which a former student, identified only as Sarah, publicly alleged clergy sexual abuse dating back to 2009. The nearly two hour interview was posted on the Wake Up and Win podcast under the title "Bethel Survivor Sarah Shares Her Experience of Clergy SA by Ben Armstrong."
In the video, Sarah alleges she was a 23 year old intern and member of Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) when Armstrong, then a pastor and mentor, groomed her under the guise of spiritual fatherhood before crossing sexual boundaries on multiple occasions.
This is the first time I have spoken about any of this in 16 years. I lost everything.
Sarah, former Bethel intern
Sarah described being spiritually "adopted" into Armstrong's family and living in his home. She alleges that over time, he normalized physical affection and framed their closeness as a father daughter relationship before eventually crossing sexual boundaries during a trip to a Scottish cultural event and later at his home while his wife was away.
He said, 'You know who we are this was just a spiritual attack.'
Sarah, quoting Armstrong's alleged response when she considered reporting to church leadership
Armstrong has previously characterized the 2009 incident as an affair, publicly stating he "had an affair" and was "getting my emotional needs met and then it turned physical with a woman I worked with." Sarah has firmly disputed this version, saying she never viewed the relationship as consensual or romantic and that she felt groomed and pressured within a culture that emphasized spiritual authority and obedience.
Bethel's updated statement on February 15 said they became aware of "a video containing serious allegations of clergy sexual abuse pertaining to Ben Armstrong and events that took place in 2009" late on February 13. The church described the administrative leave as "not a verdict, but a necessary measure" and said it is engaging outside counsel and independent experts for a thorough, impartial, and trauma informed investigation.
Bethel Church Under Fire Again: Ben Armstrong Accused of Grooming and Sexually Abusing Former Ministry Student
This is not the first time Bethel Church, led by Senior Leader Bill Johnson, has faced scrutiny over handling abuse allegations. The church recently came under criticism for platforming Shawn Bolz, a self proclaimed prophetic minister later exposed for fraudulent prophetic practices and sexually inappropriate behavior.
Following an investigation into Bolz, Bethel released a statement admitting failures, saying they "did not tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough, or loud enough." The church acknowledged that people were "hurt and scared" because of their lack of transparency.
In Sarah's interview, she also questioned how Bethel leadership handled the matter in 2009, describing a meeting with a group of senior male pastors in which she felt isolated and unsupported. She said it was not until this past summer that she was able to fully understand what had happened to her.
What happened to you was a crime.
Podcast host to Sarah during the interview
The Crusader's Opinion
A 23 year old student trusted her pastor. She moved into his home. She called him a spiritual father. And he betrayed every single one of those sacred bonds. This is not an "affair." An affair implies two equal, consenting adults. This was a man in spiritual authority over a young woman who trusted him with her soul. The fact that Bethel Church initially described this as a "known moral failure" for which Armstrong "publicly repented" tells you everything about how some churches protect predators behind the language of grace and restoration. Repentance does not erase the crime. Restoration to ministry does not restore the victim. Sixteen years of silence is not evidence of healing; it is evidence of suppression. Every church leader who knew and said nothing carries a portion of this weight.
Take Action
- Watch the full interview with Sarah on the Wake Up and Win podcast on YouTube and share it widely so this story is not buried.
- If you or someone you know has experienced clergy sexual abuse, contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) at 1 800 656 4673 for confidential support.
- Contact Bethel Church directly to demand full transparency and accountability in their investigation: bethel.com/contact
- Support survivors of church abuse through organizations like The Shepherd's Shield and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment).
- Have the hard conversation in your own church. Ask your pastors what safeguarding policies are in place to protect students, interns, and congregants from those in spiritual authority.
