Michael “Mike” Pilavachi (born 7 March 1958) is a British charismatic evangelist, former Anglican priest, and author. He co-founded the Soul Survivor charity and festival movement, which played a major role in Christian youth ministry in the UK. Pilavachi’s ministry was deeply rooted in his belief in the Holy Spirit’s power and creating spaces for young people to encounter faith. However, his legacy has since been profoundly impacted by serious safeguarding allegations, making his story both influential and controversial.
Quick Facts about Mike Pilavachi
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Pilavachi |
| Date of Birth | 7 March 1958 |
| Age | 67 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Evangelist, Former Anglican Priest, Author |
| Ministry | Co-founder of Soul Survivor charity & church |
| Marital Status | Celibate (promotes celibacy) |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth (est.) | ~$1 million – $1.05 million |
| Notable Works | Live the Life, Storylines, Everyday Supernatural |
| Ministry Focus | Youth evangelism, charismatic worship, teaching |
Early Life and Background
Mike Pilavachi was born in London in March 1958 to parents of Greek Cypriot heritage. Raised in a household that banned church attendance, he became a Christian at age 16 after encountering faith through friends at school. Prior to his ministry, he studied at the University of Birmingham and worked as an accountant at Harvey Nichols.
Ministry and Soul Survivor
Pilavachi first served as a youth minister at St Andrew’s Church, Chorleywood, before co-founding the Soul Survivor summer festivals in 1993. These became highly influential in evangelical youth culture, drawing up to 32,500 attending each summer by 2019.
He also helped establish Soul Survivor Church in Watford, where he served as pastor. Pilavachi’s ministry emphasized charismatic worship and direct experiences with the Holy Spirit.
Ordination & Recognition
Pilavachi trained at St Mellitus College and was ordained a deacon in 2012 and priest in 2013 by the Church of England. In 2020, he received the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In the 2020 New Year Honours, he was appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to young people. However, that MBE was revoked in August 2025 following substantiated safeguarding allegations.
Controversies & Safeguarding Investigations
Starting in April 2023, Pilavachi stepped back from ministry amid investigations by the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team into non-recent safeguarding concerns. By September 2023, the investigation concluded that he had abused his power, engaging in coercive and controlling behavior, including massaging young men and wrestling matches during ministry activities—conduct spanning around 40 years.
Following a report by Fiona Scolding KC, these findings were formally verified, with criticism directed at how the “spiritual celebrity” culture around Pilavachi contributed to enabling his misconduct. The Church of England issued him a written warning—a disciplinary sanction—and revoked his licence to minister. Pilavachi formally resigned as associate pastor and from all roles at Soul Survivor in mid-2023.
Publications
Pilavachi is the author of several Christian books, aimed at making theology accessible and rooted in everyday experience. Some titles include:
- Live the Life (1998)
- Storylines: Tracing the Threads of the Bible (2008, 2013)
- Everyday Supernatural: Living A Spirit-Led Life Without Being Weird (2016)
- (Other titles are listed in the Wikipedia article).
Net Worth
Though accurate figures are difficult to verify, sources estimate net worth in the range of $1 million to $1.05 million as of 2025. Another estimate places it around $500,000, reflecting his modest lifestyle and limited personal financial gain.
Legacy & Impact
For decades, Mike Pilavachi shaped youth Christian culture in the UK. Soul Survivor was seen as a “holy ground” for young believers, bridging secular culture with faith in a dynamic way. However, his legacy has been overshadowed by serious misconduct findings, which have led to intense criticism and loss of trust.
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FAQs About Mike Pilavachi
1. Who is Mike Pilavachi?
Mike Pilavachi is a British evangelist, co-founder of the Soul Survivor movement, former Anglican priest, and author—known for his charismatic youth-oriented ministry.
2. How old is Mike Pilavachi?
He was born on 7 March 1958, making him 67 years old as of 2025.
3. Was Mike Pilavachi married or have children?
No—Pilavachi is celibate, has no wife or children, and has taught that celibacy allowed him to devote himself fully to ministry.
4. What is Mike Pilavachi’s net worth?
Estimated between $500,000 and $1.05 million as of 2025.
5. What was the Soul Survivor movement?
A youth-focused Christian festival and church movement founded by Pilavachi in 1993, which became highly influential with attendees from across the UK and beyond.
6. What misconduct was Mike Pilavachi accused of?
He was found to have abused his spiritual authority over young men, engaging in coercive behavior including wrestling matches and inappropriate massages; safeguarding investigations confirmed these actions and led to his resignation and disciplinary action.
