Dear St Michael’s,
You may be aware that an investigation into safeguarding concerns was announced a few weeks ago, relating to Mike Pilavachi, founder of Christian youth festival Soul Survivor and Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor church.
A number of statements have been issued regarding the investigation on behalf of the Church of England National Safeguarding Team, St Albans Diocese, and the Soul Survivor Watford trustees.
We are conscious that some in our church at St Michael’s may have been formed by the ministry of Soul Survivor, including myself, so news of allegations may be difficult to process.
In any investigation of this kind there is a procedure that must be followed and it is essential that all elements are conducted in a full and robust way. We recognise both the pain, and the bravery, of those who are coming forward so please be assured that any safeguarding concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.
If you have any safeguarding concerns related to this investigation, please contact the St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org or the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org
If you have been affected by the news and feel like it would be helpful to speak to anyone, please do use this link to connect to the safeguarding team.
Yours,
Simon