Rhema Bible Church cuts ties with former COO

By John Dobberstein, Editor

The former chief operating officer at Rhema Bible Church, Craig Hagin, has been removed from the ministry after church officials received information they said was “inconsistent with ministry standards.”

In a statement Tuesday, Rhema Senior Pastor Kenneth W. Hagin said Craig, who is his son, is, “no longer authorized to serve, speak, or act on behalf” of the Broken Arrow church, although they did not elaborate what information led to his dismissal.

In March, Craig Hagin was placed on sabbatical after he and his wife, Mia, were each charged with 2 counts of animal cruelty following a Tulsa Police Department investigation at their south Tulsa home, which resulted in the removal of more than 2 dozen animals by authorities.

The charges were later amended to misdemeanor disturbing the peace and she pleaded no contest. Craig Hagin still faces a preliminary hearing next month in Tulsa County District Court on his original felony charges.

Rhema Bible Church said the case regarding Craig Hagin remains before the courts, “and we believe it is important to allow the legal process to proceed without speculation. Therefore, we will not comment further on those proceedings at this time.”

Hagin did reveal that within the past week, church leadership team became aware of “separate and credible information regarding conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of those serving in ministry leadership.”

After he and his wife returned from overseas ministry travel, Haggin said he was fully briefed on the information. “We exercised our responsibility as overseers of this ministry and took immediate action to end Craig’s employment.”

Hagin no longer serves in any ministerial, leadership or administrative capacity and has no role in the governance, direction, operations or decision making of the ministry, he said. “This is a deeply painful matter for our family, our church and our Rhema worldwide family,” Haggin wrote. “Craig remains a member of our family, and we continue to pray for repentance, healing and restoration in his personal life.”

Due to the “ongoing nature of this situation, including related legal and personal matters, we will refrain from sharing additional details publicly at this time,” Haggin added.   “We ask our church family, employees, students, alumni, licensed ministers, missionaries, and ministry partners to continue praying for everyone affected and to remain focused on the work Rhema continues to accomplish around the world.”