Another Exposure of Bethel Church - Redding's Alleged Leadership Failures Amid More Allegations of Past Sexual Abuse
- Elisa Ballard
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
February 19, 2026
Sarah, a former intern at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), courageously came forward after 16 years of silence in a powerful interview on the Wake Up and Win podcast, hosted by Blaise Foret and Christina Foret. The episode, titled "Bethel Survivor Sarah Shares Her Experience of Clergy SA by Ben Armstrong" (with a trigger warning), was released in mid-February 2026 and has since prompted significant fallout, including Bethel Church placing pastor Ben Armstrong on administrative leave pending a third-party investigation.
In the nearly two-hour discussion, Sarah detailed how, as a 23-year-old intern in 2009, she was drawn into a close relationship with Armstrong, then 37 and serving as her mentor and self-described "spiritual father." She described a process of grooming that began with invitations to live with his family, framed as a "spiritual adoption." This included rituals such as foot-washing ceremonies, sharing family heirlooms, and increasingly frequent and inappropriate physical contact, including hugs that felt invasive. Armstrong reportedly appropriated her spiritual insights for his own use in teachings and prophecies, further eroding her boundaries under the guise of spiritual guidance in Bethel's hierarchical environment.
The situation escalated to multiple instances of sexual assault, according to Sarah. She recounted unwanted touching and coercion into compromising situations, including one particularly traumatic night where Armstrong allegedly isolated her, involved alcohol, and despite her verbal refusals—"no" spoken out loud at least once or twice—dragged her by the arms to his bed. While no intercourse occurred (Sarah emphasized that she retained her virginity, which held deep personal and cultural significance to her), the violations were profound, involving physical and emotional coercion that left her frozen and manipulated. She characterized these events not as a consensual affair but as clear clergy sexual abuse, exploiting the power imbalance between a respected pastor and a vulnerable young intern far from home.
Sarah explained that she had reported the incidents truthfully to Bethel leadership at the time, sharing the details honestly. However, the church reframed the events as a mutual "moral failure" or "affair," offering her only minimal support—a brief counseling intensive—while prioritizing Armstrong's restoration. He was placed on short-term leave, underwent a multi-year process deemed exemplary by church leaders, and was reinstated, eventually rising to roles such as Overseer of Prophetic Ministry. His version of the story was publicly shared on podcasts, in sermons, and as a positive case study in Danny Silk's book Unpunishable, where he was portrayed as a model of repentance and maturity. Sarah's perspective and pain were largely erased from these narratives, leaving her invalidated and silenced.
The Wake Up and Win podcast, run by former Bethel alumni Blaise and Christina Foret, provided Sarah a platform to reclaim her voice and challenge the dominant framing. Hosts Foret emphasized that no Christian should characterize such events as a mutual "mess" given the clear abuse of clergy power. The interview highlighted systemic issues, including Bethel's alleged pattern of mishandling abuse allegations—echoing other recent controversies—and the intense scrutiny victims face when speaking out against influential institutions.
Sara appeared for a second interview on Episode 52 of the "Healed-ish" podcast, hosted by Jubilee Dawn, a former BSSM student and vocal critic of Bethel's culture who focuses on religious trauma and survivor stories. In this nearly 90-minute episode titled "They Called It an Affair - It Wasn't (Sarah's Story)," Sarah reiterated her experiences of spiritual manipulation, unwanted physical contact, and coercion, emphasizing the power imbalance and rejecting the church's framing of the incidents as a mutual affair. Jubilee Dawn, drawing from her own time at BSSM around 2012 where she encountered similar dynamics of unchecked authority, provided a supportive platform for Sarah to discuss the long-term impacts on her identity, relationships, and healing process.
These interviews highlight broader patterns of alleged abuse and mishandling at Bethel Church, where Armstrong's 2009 misconduct—publicly described as an affair—was celebrated as a model of restoration in Danny Silk's book "Unpunishable," despite Sarah's claims of grooming and assault. Danny Silk serves on the Senior Leadership Team of both Bethel Church in Redding and Jesus Culture in Sacramento. Revelations suggest Armstrong had a prior affair before joining Bethel, which leadership, including Silk, likely knew about but failed to disclose or address adequately, allowing him to mentor vulnerable students without warnings. Silk's involvement in Armstrong's restoration process and anecdotes in his book raise doubts about claims of ignorance regarding the earlier infidelity, pointing to a "culture of honor" that critics argue prioritizes leaders' reputations over victim protection and accountability.
Sarah's decision to speak publicly required immense courage, especially after years of therapy, rebuilding her life, and fearing judgment or disbelief. She expressed heartbreak over the possibility that other victims remain silent due to similar fears of public shaming, retaliation, or being dismissed in environments that prioritize leaders' reputations. The podcast has amplified calls for accountability, urging churches to protect the vulnerable rather than shield those in power. Bethel's response in the last few days has been to put Armstrong on administrative leave and have an independent probe conducted.
Sarah's story serves as both a personal testimony of survival and a stark warning: abuse of spiritual authority cannot be reframed or swept under the rug. True healing and justice demand centering victims' voices, not perpetrators' redemption arcs.
