Spiritual, Emotional & Psychological Abuse

Patterns of Manipulation and Spiritual Abuse

 

Share Your Experience

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Beyond the financial allegations detailed elsewhere in this report, multiple former staff, volunteers, and ministry partners have come forward with accounts of spiritual, emotional, and psychological abuse experienced while working with Sean Feucht and his organizations. These testimonies reveal consistent patterns of manipulation, exploitation, and harmful leadership practices that have caused significant personal damage to those involved.

 

The following accounts have been documented through interviews, written testimonies, and video statements from individuals who worked closely with Sean Feucht across his various ministry platforms, particularly Burn 24/7 and Let Us Worship.

 

These are first hand experiences with Sean Feucht. Despite numerous attempts at confronting him via Matthew 18, there has been very little change occur over the course of many years. These stories represent a mere fraction of the staff and volunteers who have shared their experiences with us. Stories will be regularly updated here as individuals feel safe coming forward.

 

Peter & Amanda Hartzell: Burn 24/7 (2009-2010)

 

Documentation: Warning Letter from Peter & Amanda Hartzell

Interview with Faith Reframed: Original Burn 24/7 Leaders Give Testimony about @seanfeucht

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History of Manipulation and Broken Promises

 

Peter recounts a troubling history with Sean Feucht, who was a childhood bully and later became a ministry leader. Despite their past, Peter agreed to help Sean launch a Burn movement chapter, leading to years of involvement in which they and others contributed significant time, money, and energy. However, patterns of manipulation and spiritual abuse resurfaced—Sean made empty promises, used shame to control leaders, and diverted designated donations for personal or organizational use. The writer also alleges witnessing unethical financial behavior and spiritual coercion, including scripture misuse and pressure tactics, culminating in emotionally abusive confrontations that left them feeling humiliated and ashamed for raising concerns.

 

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"After that call I literally felt like I had just been stripped naked and beaten mercilessly. I felt so guilty and ashamed, all because we called some legitimate concerns into question." - Peter Hartzell"

 

 

Patterns of Spiritual Manipulation

 

Over time, patterns of manipulation and spiritual abuse resurfaced:

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• Sean made empty promises to leaders and volunteers

• Used shame and spiritual language to control leaders

• Diverted designated donations for personal or organizational use

• Employed scripture misuse and pressure tactics

• Engaged in emotionally abusive confrontations when questioned

• Sean pressured pastors of local congregations to give him more money when he didn't find their offerings to his liking

• Witnessed pastors telling Sean that he was acting in sin and that he was never welcome to return.

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Spiritual Coercion and Fear

 

Efforts to confront Sean about these issues were repeatedly avoided or met with aggression. Leaders were spiritually manipulated into staying in certain roles or geographic areas under the guise of divine responsibility, and many drained their resources to sustain the mission.

 

Specific instances, such as misappropriation of funds donated for equipment, further exemplify a pattern of exploitation masked as ministry. The cumulative experience reflects deep emotional and financial harm, spiritual manipulation, and a profound betrayal of trust.

 

 

"He would make promises and dangle carrots, but never follow through. He would make fun of my style, and bark orders. He treated me like a grunt because he knew that I was desperate for purpose, and he exploited me." - Peter Hartzell"

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Liam Bernhard: Burn 24/7 Leadership (2013-2020)

 

Role: Local Director OKC, Burn Field Training, Mid-South Regional Director, Burn Wagon Organizer

Documentation: Video Testimony

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Seven Years of Uncompensated Service

 

Liam began his involvement with Burn in 2013, initially serving as the Oklahoma City (OKC) Director before taking on broader responsibilities as a regional director. Over the years, he led "burn wagons," facilitated field training, and even joined Sean's Wild Tour—all at his own expense.

 

Despite this deep commitment, Liam often found himself covering costs personally, including driving Sean to campaign events and paying bands out-of-pocket when Sean did not compensate them. For seven years, the local OKC Burn brought in only $1,000 in revenue, which was used for basic necessities like food and transportation. All other offerings were directed to Sean alone.

 

Retaliation for Questioning Practices

 

As Liam increasingly questioned the organization's financial transparency and growing political agenda, he experienced internal resistance. He was met by Sean with derogatory labels such as "communist," "fascist," and "woke," and was ultimately slandered following his departure.

 

Claims were circulated that he had “deconstructed” and was no longer a Christian, which he denies. When he stepped down, leadership delayed making the announcement and falsely asserted that new leaders were stepping in seamlessly—despite at least one such individual, Christy, confirming she only accepted the role temporarily. Liam, who had volunteered 40–50 hours weekly while maintaining a full-time job to support his family, described feeling used and discarded once he began raising concerns about ethics and integrity within the movement.

 

 

"I felt like a shiny new toy for Sean to play with” He often uses people as opportunities to get to the “next level” and when people are no longer useful, he discards them." - Liam Bernhard

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Richie Booth: Multiple Organizations

 

Role: Administrative staff for Burn 24/7, Let Us Worship, and Light a Candle

Interview with Wake Up and Win: Sean Feucht- Inside the Burn: Sean's Former Accountant Richie Booth Speaks Out

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Richie’s account describes extensive concerns regarding Sean and his affiliated ministries, including potential financial misconduct, labor violations, and emotional manipulation. Richie served in various volunteer and administrative roles over the course of three to four years. While paid for bookkeeping services, he was often met with pushback at requests for compensation that was aligned with market rates for services. He witnessed questionable financial practices such as unexplained use of ministry funds, lack of transparency with accounting (e.g., being blocked from viewing credit card expenses), the recruitment and use of volunteers or underpaid workers treated as staff yet never reported in Sean’s tax filings, and possible failure to report or properly allocate donations. Cash was frequently handled informally, with large sums moved without oversight, and reimbursements were inconsistently provided—often only after pressure or delay.

 

 

“I was literally the one carrying bags of cash off the stage and I am here with no job and no income other than some part-time work with the Burn” I had this feeling of "I'm doing a lot of work to make this happen and I am not being taken care of.” - Richie Booth

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In addition to financial concerns, the environment was described as emotionally abusive, manipulative, and unsustainable. A culture of extreme loyalty was demanded, with those who left being labeled disloyal or spiritually deficient. Many staff and volunteers reported burnout, mistreatment, and emotional distress, especially women, who were often the target of inappropriate jokes or dismissed after being brought to tears. He also witnessed staff members being put in difficult positions overseas. Despite early hopes for a ministry centered on community and spiritual values, the individual came to view the organization as chaotic, Sean-centric, and emotionally harmful, lacking any kind of accountability or a healthy culture.

 

 

“When I first met Sean I realized everyone around him leaves and I made a vow on the inside that I wouldn’t be one who leaves. Somewhere along the way I realized that that is actually not what is happening here. People are leaving because this is not a healthy, safe, balanced environment for them.” - Richie Booth

 

 

Christy Gafford: Long-term Leader (2016-2024)

 

Role: Regional Director, USA National Director/Global Communications Director for Burn 24/7, collaborated with Let Us Worship for Kingdom to Capitol tour

 

Documentation: Video Testimony

                          Written Testimony

Interview with Minor Prophets: Sean Feucht Whistleblower Tells Her Story

Interview with Wake Up and Win: Sean Feucht- Inside the Burn: Avoiding Accountability, 40+ Stories of Mistreatment

 

Organizational Neglect and Leadership Void

 

From 2016 to 2024, Christy served in various volunteer leadership roles within the Burn and Let Us Worship (LUW) organizations. Throughout her tenure, she frequently raised concerns with leadership, particularly with Adam Miller, regarding the neglect and lack of accountability within the organization.

 

Despite efforts to address issues such as high turnover, leadership overhauls, and the departure of key individuals, there was little to no change, with vague explanations given for the departures. Leadership, including Sean, often failed to engage meaningfully with the team, showing a lack of genuine investment in the well-being of the organization and its volunteers.

 

Systemic Dysfunction and Volunteer Exploitation

Numerous organizational failures, such as communication breakdowns, where emails were often misdirected or failed to address specific concerns were the norm. At various Burn Summits and other events, leadership’s lack of engagement was evident, with Sean giving brief speeches and then retreating, neglecting opportunities for deeper connection. Despite the passion and dedication of volunteers, who often contributed their time and resources without recognition, the leadership’s behavior suggested a lack of respect for their person and efforts. These patterns led to a growing sense of frustration and disappointment among those working within the organization.

 

 

"In light of recent events that have left me expelled from the Burn organization by its global leaders, I wanted to tell my story rather than stay quiet and allow others to speak on my behalf to question my integrity and character. To release a narrative that has been used to weaponize my words against me and thus discredit my role, my “title” and my heart before the Lord. Our leaders of the Burn organization have long neglected the organization to pursue other callings on their lives and have spent years excusing their actions. Neglect is abuse. They have not taken ownership, accountability and have not been transparent when it comes to addressing the needs of the people serving in and for this organization. They have been emotionally, spiritually, abusive to those that have served this organization…Sean called me “self-seeking”, self-righteous and self-promoting” He said that I “went rogue” and that I was operating in a divisive spirit . He threatened that they (the board) would deal with me personally. Adam sent me a text that we had a lot to talk about and he wanted to know why I had self-appointed my position as USA National Director and that he had never had a conversation with him about this title. This is not true." - Christy Gafford

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Jesse Westwood: Burn 24/7 (2012-2014)

 

Role: Worship musician, touring band member with Sean Feucht, Seattle/Tacoma area

 

Documentation: Video Testimony

Interview with Wake Up and Win: Sean Feucht- Inside the Burn: Lies, Smuggling, and Mistreatment - Jesse Westwood@faith_reframed

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Exploitation of Musicians and Creative Labor Through Manipulative "Spiritual Mandates"

 

As part of Sean Feucht's Seattle/Tacoma worship team, Jesse witnessed and experienced patterns of financial and spiritual manipulation that corroborate other testimonies. He and his wife provided extensive creative services, including playing on several of Feucht's albums, designing album artwork for him, conference flyers, promotional material, and touring as Sean's band—all while receiving minimal or no compensation. Jesse's wife's professional design work for album covers was severely underpaid ($200-300 for unlimited revisions), despite Sean profiting significantly from these products, and being under one of the most lucrative Christian Record labels at the time (Bethel Music). When they recorded on Sean's albums, they received zero compensation or credit (streaming platforms/digital assets) while taking unpaid time off from their regular jobs.

 

Sean cultivated a culture of loyalty through "spiritual mandates," telling Jesse and others they had special callings unique to their region that could only be fulfilled through his ministry. These promises of platform and exposure never materialized, despite their significant personal and financial sacrifices. Sean consistently used grandiose spiritual language and "mandates." These delusions of grandeur would often leave volunteers with a spiritual obligation to fulfill these "mandates" on their own while staying committed to the ministry of BURN 24/7. He would tell worship teams that they had special callings unique to their region, which could only be fulfilled through his ministry structure. These tactics created spiritual and emotional pressure to sacrifice time, money, and professional standards in service to his growing platform.

 

 

"We would take off two weeks of work to tour with him and be his band for free…Sean is making tens of thousands of dollars per stop while we're barely getting gas covered. While I understand the premise/context of volunteering to help support a minister, the pattern became that we were giving up everything for Sean so he could gain everything. My wife and I had no problem supporting a traveling minister (which we have done many times in the past with other ministries); it was that we went from supporting ministry from a distance (typical model) to directly serving Sean who has no accountability which left us with no way to confront/hold him accountable while also giving up our own resources to help him grow his platform. Which to us wasn't a platform at the time, but rather, a "spiritual mandate" that we were helping fulfill."

 

 

"The promise was if you do this job for me, you'll get more work... but the old adage is exposure doesn't pay my mortgage."

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Cassandra Naeem(formerly Cassandra Hagemeister): Let Us Worship (2020-2022)​

Role: Staff Director of Merchandise

Documentation Video: Spiritual Abuse, Underpay, and Burn Out working for Sean Feucht

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Overworked, Burn Out and Toxic Spiritual Atmosphere​

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As a former employee of Let Us Worship for nearly two years, Cassandra experienced significant ethical and spiritual abuse under Sean Feucht’s leadership. Feucht’s lack of financial integrity manifested in non-payment for work, gross underpayment, and overworking employees, forcing her to take additional jobs to sustain herself while serving the ministry. The work environment was highly stressful and cutthroat, with a culture of fear driven by Feucht’s intolerance for errors, leading to internal conflict and undermining among staff. This toxic atmosphere, coupled with exploitation and mistreatment, resulted in severe burnout and the onset of serious health conditions, including complex PTSD, asthma, and fibromyalgia-like symptoms, none of which she had prior to her employment. Recovery from burnout took over two years, with ongoing struggles with asthma and PTSD. By coming forward as a whistleblower, Cassandra's aim is to hold Feucht accountable, raise awareness about the dangers of such spiritually abusive environments, and prevent others from enduring similar harm.

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"The environment, working in this ministry was so stressful and so cutthroat because there was no room for error, which caused everyone to undermine one another, all out of fear of punishment from Sean. No one wanted him to be angry and when he was, everyone felt it."  ~ Cassandra Naeem

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Matthew Lilley: Burn 24/7 (2012-2020)

Role: Staff USA National Director, Local Director Greenville & Raleigh-Durham NC, South-East Regional Director

Documentation Video: Our Story with Burn 24 7 and Sean Feucht

Documentation Written Testimony: Public Sean Feucht Letter

Interview with Wake Up and Win: Sean Feucht, Inside the Burn: Former National Director, Matthew Lilley, BREAKS HIS SILENCE on Feucht

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Matthew Lilley, who served in leadership roles, including US National Director, at Burn 24-7 from 2012 to 2020, has publicly endorsed allegations of financial impropriety and spiritual abuse against Sean Feucht and his nonprofit organizations, as detailed on truthandfreedomstories.com. Lilley acknowledges the positive impact of Feucht’s ministry, stating, “The Lord has used Sean in many positive ways, even in my own life,” but emphasizes that impactful work does not excuse poor character, citing issues like misuse of funds, lying, slander, and gaslighting. He expresses regret for his own failure to confront a toxic ministry culture that harmed individuals, apologizing for tolerating harmful behavior under a misguided sense of “honor” and for not warning others about the unhealthy environment within Burn 24-7. Lilley shares that he was personally impacted by this environment, noting, “My time with Burn 24-7 was full of amazing experiences and memories,” yet he was complicit in ignoring “many red flags” and failing to act bravely, which led to a burdened conscience that weighs on him years later.

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“It has been five years since I left Burn 24-7, but my conscience is weighing on me to speak out.”

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Lilley supports whistleblowers, including former colleagues Christy Gafford and Liam Bernhard, whose credible allegations are backed by growing evidence and his own experiences. After ineffective private attempts to address these issues with Feucht and board members in 2025, Lilley cites 1 Timothy 5:19-20 to justify public rebuke, noting Feucht’s defensive and unrepentant responses. He calls for accountability, urging review of evidence on the whistleblower site, and aligns with a broader movement to purify church leadership, while distancing himself from opportunistic critics. Lilley grieves for those hurt and prays for Sean and his family. 

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"I believe that the overall premise of these allegations is true regarding spiritual abuse and financial
impropriety. 

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​“They were very openly bashing other people, other ministries, or people who used to be a part of the burn that had left. And that would be a pattern anytime somebody left Burn 24/7 or Sean felt like they weren't being loyal, they would get bashed, they would get talked about.”

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"​I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work to purify the Church and its leadership in recent years.
This has included public exposure of spiritual abuse from popular leaders in the Church. When
sin is exposed publicly, both good and bad actors get involved. Atheists, disgruntled Christians,
and heresy hunters pounce on every scandalous story. I refuse to align with that crowd. But
amid the mess, I do believe God is cleaning His house and purifying His bride. I want to be
cooperative with what He is doing." ~ Matthew Lilley

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Common Themes Across Testimonies

 

Reviewing these personal accounts reveals several recurring patterns of abusive and manipulative behavior:

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1. Financial Exploitation: Consistent reports of volunteers and staff covering expenses without reimbursement, while donations were directed to Sean or organizational accounts with little transparency

2. Spiritual Manipulation: The use of spiritual language, scripture, and religious authority to control behavior, silence criticism, and enforce compliance

3. Retaliation Against Critics: Those who questioned practices or raised concerns were often subjected to character assassination, public humiliation, or false accusations about their faith

4. Exploitative Labor Practices: The expectation of full-time work without compensation, blurring the lines between volunteering and employment while evading labor laws

5. Culture of Fear and Loyalty: Creating an environment where absolute loyalty was demanded, with severe social and spiritual consequences for those who dissented

 

These accounts suggest a pattern of behavior extending well beyond isolated incidents or misunderstandings. They point to systematic issues with leadership, organizational culture, and a concerning abuse of spiritual authority that has left many individuals with lasting emotional and spiritual trauma.

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