The founder of the US branch of Christian festival Soul Survivor has raised concerns that he introduced hundreds of young men to a religious leader accused of fullbody oil massages, vigorous wrestling matches and spiritual abuse.

An exclusive investigation by Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph's social and religious affairs editor.

The Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi founded the Soul Survivor church in Watford, Herts, as well as the Soul Survivor summer festivals that ran from 1993 to 2019 and were attended by 30,000 teenagers from around the world.

His movement also spawned offshoots in South Africa, Holland, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

However, speaking out for the first time earlier this month, alleged victims of the celibate preacher claimed he ran “a cult” in which young men were encouraged to receive fullbody massages on his bed and engage in wrestling matches.

They also told The Telegraph that they suffered psychological torment and spiritual abuse in what they described as “a cruel game”. Their vicar “left a trail of broken, young male adults scattered all around the world”, they added.

Continue reading the full exclusive article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023...

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