Publicly Reported Allegations and Controversies Involving Bethel Church
Did you or a loved one ever attend Bethel Church in California?
Do you believe you or a loved one may have experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or inappropriate touching involving a pastor, employee, or other church staff member at Bethel Church?
If so, you are not alone.
Below, you can learn more and complete a brief, private assessment to see whether speaking with a legal professional may be appropriate for you.
Publicly Reported Allegations Concerning Bethel Church
Bethel Church is a large Christian church headquartered in Redding, California, led by senior pastor Bill Johnson.
The church is widely known for its global ministry programs and for operating the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, a training program that attracts thousands of students and interns worldwide.
In recent years, various media outlets and advocacy groups have reported allegations of sexual misconduct involving individuals connected to Bethel ministries.
In 2019, there were concerns raised about the conduct of Shawn Bolz, a minister who had appeared at Bethel-related events.
According to Ministry Watch, there are recent allegations of misconduct by a woman named Sarah against Ben Armstrong.
Following the allegation, Bethel leadership announced that Armstrong had been placed on administrative leave while the matter was being reviewed.
Ben Armstrong has served in leadership roles connected to ministries affiliated with Bethel Church, including involvement with programs connected to young adults and ministry training.
In February 2026, Bethel Church leadership stated that they had been made aware of allegations raised by a former student connected to the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry that were said to have occurred around the 2008–2009 time period.
According to statements from church leaders, the matter involved what they described as a “moral failure” by Ben Armstrong.
Leaders stated that Armstrong had previously acknowledged the conduct, publicly expressed repentance, was removed from ministry at that time, and participated in what they described as a multi-year process of healing and restoration.
More recent reporting has described allegations involving individuals connected to Bethel ministries or leadership roles, including claims raised by former students or interns.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse or interactions that felt inappropriate, you may wish to speak privately with a legal professional.
You do not need proof, records, or certainty to ask questions.
Nothing can ease suffering or heal a loss, but it can help prevent others from being abused in the future.
Just tap below to learn more and take a brief, confidential assessment to see whether speaking with an advocate may be appropriate for you.
Who May Wish To Speak With a Lawyer
It’s common for survivors to question or minimize their experiences, especially when the interactions involved someone they trusted, such as a pastor, director, leader, overseer, or other member of staff. Feelings of confusion, shame, embarrassment, or fear about speaking up can make it difficult to talk about concerns or ask questions, even years later.
These feelings are understandable, and you do not need certainty to ask questions. Confidential information is available if you choose to reach out.
You may want to explore your legal options if:
- You believe you or a loved one may have experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or inappropriate touching involving a pastor, church employee, overseer, or other church-related staff member
- You experienced sexual abuse or interactions that felt inappropriate
- You are only now questioning past experiences
- You disclosed concerns in the past—or never told anyone until now.
You do not need proof, records, or exact dates to speak with someone confidentially.
What To Do Next
If you or a loved one experienced abuse or interactions that felt inappropriate, you may benefit from a confidential conversation with a legal professional to better understand your rights and options.
Seeking legal information sooner rather than later can be helpful.
Over time, memories may fade, records can become harder to locate, and details may be more difficult to recall.
Speaking with a legal professional can help you understand what information may be relevant and what options, if any, might be available.
When considering legal guidance, it’s important to speak with advocates or attorneys who have experience handling sensitive matters and who approach these conversations with care and discretion.
Civil claims, like many other legal matters, are subject to time limits known as statutes of limitations.
In California, lawmakers have recognized that individuals who experienced sexual abuse as children may not be able to fully process or address those experiences until many years later. In response, California enacted legislation in 2019 that expanded the timeframes under which certain childhood sexual abuse–related civil claims may be brought.
Because statutes of limitations can be complex and depend on individual circumstances, speaking with a legal professional can help clarify how current California law may apply to a specific situation.
This site is intended to provide general information and help individuals decide whether they would like to speak confidentially with a legal professional.
How to Request Confidential Legal Information
Would you like to request a confidential conversation for a case review with a law firm experienced in handling sensitive civil matters?
We work with a network of attorneys who can provide general legal information and help you better understand your rights and potential options. Speaking with an attorney does not obligate you to take legal action.
To learn more, you can complete a brief, private assessment below to see whether speaking with a legal professional may be appropriate for you.
If you choose to speak with an advocate or attorney, they may be able to:
- Explain general legal processes and considerations
- Potentially file a civil case that can help with compensation for therapy/medical costs and harm
- Discuss what information or records may be relevant
- Answer questions so you can decide what, if any, next steps make sense for you
Just tap below to learn more and take a brief, confidential assessment to see whether speaking with an advocate may be appropriate for you.