BOMBSHELL: New Wine Founding Church Faces DECADES of Abuse Allegations Spanning Three Decades

St Andrew's Chorleywood Abuse Investigation Covers 1980s Through 2000s as Diocese Calls for Victims

The Diocese of St Albans has urged anyone affected by harmful behaviour at St Andrew's Chorleywood during the 1980s through 2000s to come forward as part of a survivor centered listening exercise.

Anyone with experiences or knowledge of abuse or harmful behaviour connected to the evangelical megachurch has been encouraged to engage with a "voluntary call for information and listening exercise" that the diocese says is aimed at listening, learning, and ensuring accountability.

St Andrew's Chorleywood is the charismatic evangelical church that launched New Wine, one of the UK's most influential Christian conference networks. The church is also connected to Soul Survivor, which was recently the subject of a joint investigation by the diocese and the National Safeguarding Team.

That investigation found Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi had exhibited "coercive and controlling behaviour."

Three Decades of Potential Harm in the Church

In its statement, the diocese said the call for information follows recent safeguarding disclosures which indicate there may be others who have been harmed and not yet heard across three decades.

The process will run until June 2026 when a public summary of findings will be issued. It will be managed by a safeguarding case management group overseen by the Diocese's Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

Independent chair Philip Waller CBE, a retired Family Court judge, said: "As Chair of the Safeguarding Case Management Group, and as a former chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and a retired Family Court judge, I know how vital it is that we listen to those who have been harmed."

"This process is about creating a safe and respectful space for survivors to share their experiences, helping us to learn, to act responsibly, and to ensure accountability. I am committed to ensuring that this exercise is conducted with fairness, transparency, and the utmost care for those who come forward."

The diocese said it's working closely with St Andrew's, which "is fully supportive of the process."

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

The diocese finally calls for information. Decades late.

Where were the safeguards? Where was the accountability? Where were the elders asking hard questions?

Charismatic celebrity culture creates cover for abuse.

When movements become brands, victims become collateral damage.

This investigation must expose everything. No protection for reputations. No concern for ministry legacy.

Only truth. Only justice. Only protection for the vulnerable.

TAKE ACTION

Report Information:

• Diocese of St Albans Safeguarding: stalbans.anglican.org/safeguarding
• Email: safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org
• Phone: 01727 818146

Support Abuse Survivors:

• Thirtyone:eight (Christian safeguarding charity): thirtyoneeight.org
• Helpline: 0303 003 1111
• Email: info@thirtyoneeight.org

Report Church Abuse:

• GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environment): netgrace.org
• Email: info@netgrace.org

Investigative Journalism:

• The Roys Report: julieroys.com
• Exposing abuse in evangelical churches

Demand Accountability:

• Contact New Wine leadership: new-wine.org/contact
• Ask what they knew and when they knew it

If you attended St Andrew's, New Wine conferences, or Soul Survivor events during these decades and experienced or witnessed abuse, contact the diocese. Your story matters. Demand your church implement independent safeguarding audits. Stop protecting ministries at the expense of victims. Truth and justice must come before reputation.