Statement on Shawn Bolz

As lead producer at Siloam Productions, I want to share this statement on behalf of our team and our work.

My dear friends, there are moments when truth does not sound like victory, but like defeat. Moments when we do not celebrate because something has been exposed, but remain silent because something has died. A few years ago, I was involved in such a moment.

It was the year 2018. We were in the midst of producing our second film. A film intended to make the prophetic visible. In that context, we filmed Shawn Bolz. We had already recorded him for our first film, but the material could not be used and only appeared in a bonus teaching session. All the greater was our joy to have him again in front of the camera two years later. This time, he was meant to play a central role in the film. Shawn shared impressive, moving, and spectacular stories. Among other things, he spoke about Paul Cain, a man I personally knew at the time. When I later approached Paul about these stories, he denied most of them. I did not know whether age had caused his memory to fade, or whether something else was at play. But one thing became clear to me: some of these stories made Shawn look exceptionally good. 

And it was precisely there that something began to shift inside me. And yet, inwardly, I refused to ask the hard and honest question.

Months later, while we were editing the film, my sense of responsibility grew louder and louder. A question that had long lived within me could no longer be suppressed: Is the ministry of Shawn Bolz genuine, or not?

I began investing many hours tracking the so-called words of knowledge Shawn had spoken publicly. A pattern quickly emerged. One that suggested detailed information had been researched in advance. At the same time, I came to know people who worked for Shawn. In open conversations, they confirmed these suspicions. From those directly affected, I heard further things that are now also being discussed publicly.

Confusion came over me, and grief grew. A world collapsed. And the question hung in the air: What now?

I began informing leaders within the charismatic movement, including people I knew had a personal relationship with Shawn. My hope was simple: that someone would act in love and truth. But although the evidence was clear, nothing happened. In early 2019, I contacted leaders of Bethel Church and shared my concerns. That same year, I had a personal FaceTime conversation with Kris Vallotton. I know that much was done behind the scenes, and I am grateful for that. And yet, as a former BSSM student, I was surprised that there was no proactive attempt to protect the Bride of Christ by openly addressing these abuses.

About a year ago, many people finally became aware of the misuse of this ministry through social media. Public pressure increased until Bethel issued a statement on February 3, 2025. That same month, I was last at Bethel Church and had a brief conversation with Dann Farrelly. I could sense the wrestling, the questions, and the weight resting on the leadership team.

Now, a new video has once again taken up this topic with additional details. It feels as though the history of the prophetic movement is repeating itself. Yet what hardly anyone says is this: many of us are part of the problem. Myself included. And perhaps you as well. Not because we are evil, but because we carried along things we should have noticed. Within the charismatic movement, a culture has developed in which success is celebrated when people are dramatically healed, highly detailed words are spoken, and God is seen to move “obviously.” Church services and conferences are measured by these standards.

This has created enormous pressure on all sides. Leaders invite speakers who are expected to impress. Speakers feel the pressure to impress. People come to be moved or even entertained. It is a distorted system that we have collectively nurtured. 

Once again, we see how crucial accountability and community truly are. The question of who someone walks with is just as important as which gift they operate in. Where someone is accountable matters just as much as any spectacular revelation. We have judged people by their spiritual gifting rather than by their spiritual fruit. Many believed that great gifting automatically flows from an integrated and upright character. That has never been true.

We are standing at a turning point. And we must remain vigilant that the pendulum does not swing to the opposite extreme. Yes, there were massive problems, including among the Kansas City Prophets. But there was not only deception; there was also what was genuine. There are real challenges in our movement, but there is also what is authentic.

I believe that Shawn possesses a genuine prophetic gifting. Away from the stage, I witnessed it myself in 2011. In quiet one on one moments, he spoke words that were not highly detailed, yet deeply touched people’s hearts and revealed the love of the Father. It was beautiful. It was real. It was simple. Friends of Shawn also confirmed to me that he carries a sincere prophetic gift. Yet somewhere along the way, something crept in that has now come into the light.

My request, therefore, is this: let us not stop pursuing what is genuine simply because what is false has been exposed. The gifts were not given to entertain the church, but to reach the world. Everything that remains within the church becomes unhealthy. Everything that goes outward remains alive. The church is not a place of performance, but of equipping. Not a place of gathering, but of sending.

And finally—the most important thing. The victims must be heard and taken seriously. When the suffering of victims is silenced, it becomes a second abuse. Let us pray for the victims. I have spoken with people who continue to carry the weight of this suffering to this day. May God heal them, restore them, and encourage them anew. Let us also pray for Shawn and his family. And for the leadership of the charismatic movement. None of us stands above temptation. None of us lives without grace. We are all dependent on it every day. May this truth, which has now come into the light, not destroy us, but cleanse us. May it not divide us, but unite us. And may a movement emerge from this hour of sobering clarity that is humbler, more mature, and more truthful than before.

Andrea Di Meglio
Siloam Productions