Allegations Prompt Ministry Founder to Step Back from Social Media
In a recent development, Michael Brown, the prominent founder of FIRE School of Ministry, has decided to temporarily deactivate his presence on the social media platform X. This decision follows accusations of inappropriate conduct with a former staff member referred to as “Erin,” which Brown has denied. The allegations, which date back 23 years, have led to an investigation by a third-party law firm.
Brown, who also hosts the widely recognized Line of Fire radio program, shared his decision with his 63,000 followers on X, stating, “Because I can’t make any comments on the current situation I’m dealing with until the investigation is completed, I’m going to deactivate my account until then. May the Lord be glorified. Feel free to screenshot this post while it’s up.” The investigation is being conducted by the firm Mitchell, Stein, Carey, and Chapman and was initiated about three weeks ago.
Erin, who worked with Brown at the FIRE School of Ministry, claims that she left her position in 2002 at the age of 21 due to uncomfortable interactions with Brown, which included unwelcome physical contact. She stated, “He was supposed to be a spiritual father,” reflecting her expectations of Brown during her time at the ministry.
Erin began her association with Brown when she attended the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in 1999. After Brown’s dismissal from that institution, she followed him to his new venture, the FIRE School of Ministry in Pensacola, Florida, which later relocated to North Carolina. Initially, Erin appreciated Brown’s attention, partly due to a challenging home life, but the dynamic reportedly shifted to discomfort over time.
The interactions between Brown and Erin allegedly progressed from hand-holding to kisses on the lips and slaps on the buttocks. Erin recounted an incident where Brown, referring to her as a daughter, initiated hand-holding. She mentioned that this type of contact became habitual, stating, “It was no longer (Brown) was asking for a kiss. It was (Brown) leaning down to get a kiss.”
Brown has refuted the allegations, supported by his wife Nancy, by labeling them as a mix of “accusations, allegations, false statements, and mischaracterizations.” He emphasized that although the relationship had familial overtones, it was non-sexual, acknowledging, “aspects of my interaction with her, although totally non-sexual in every way, reflected a definite lack of judgment on my part.”
The ministry’s board has committed to making the findings of the investigation public upon completion, ensuring transparency in the process. Erin’s account was initially reported by The Roys Report, with multiple former employees claiming to have witnessed interactions that seemed inappropriate, including instances of Erin sitting on Brown’s lap.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
