A Christian youth festival founder has been suspended following allegations that he gave young men full-body massages.
Mike Pilavachi, 65, who founded Soul Survivor Anglican Church and a religious camping festival in 1995, was formally suspended from the organization Friday night following allegations that he fought with young men and gave them ‘oil massages’ while they were still in their underwear.
It comes after he stepped aside from the priesthood and resigned from all connected charity boards while the Church investigates the allegations.
The claims are being investigated by the Church of England’s national safeguarding team and the St Albans safeguarding unit in Hertfordshire.
The founder of a Christian youth event has been suspended following allegations that he gave inappropriate massages to young men.
‘It is evident that this more decisive step should have been taken sooner, and we have acted to address this now,’ said Soul Survivor.
The Church was requested to explain why Mr. Pilavachi met with Dan Goodwright, a Soul Survivor musician and assistant worship pastor.
The couple was spotted near Mr Pilavachi’s home in Watford, Hertfordshire, when they weren’t supposed to be there during the investigation. There is no evidence that Goodwright is involved in any of the charges.
David Gate, a former Soul Survivor member who claims Pilavachi emotionally manipulated him, told The Sunday Times last week:
‘The Church of England is conducting an investigation. But I’m not optimistic about the procedure. The report is not required to be publicized.’
‘I’d grapple with him before events, sometimes backstage, but always fully clothed in the presence of others.
‘He did a lot of that with young males. It was an indication that he liked you because you were one of “Mike’s boys.”
‘There always seemed to be a favorite – usually athletic, male teenagers or young males no older than 23.
‘If he won — and he was frequently much bigger than us — he might sit on top of you.
‘In retrospect, a 45-year-old, well-built man wrestling on the floor with a 16-year-old youngster must have seemed unusual.’
