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Under fire: former longtime member rebukes Jesus Image

By churchwatcher on February 22, 2026

A former longtime member of Jesus Image Church has released a public letter raising concerns about leadership culture within the Florida-based charismatic ministry led by evangelist Michael Koulianos and his wife, Jessica Koulianos.

The letter, written by Joe Pasinski, states that he and his family were involved with Jesus Image and its affiliated Jesus School since 2018. His wife served on staff, and two of his children attended the school. Pasinski says his family left the ministry in December 2025 after what he describes as “much prayer, counsel, and contemplation.”

Jesus Image is known for large worship gatherings and revival-style events centered on extended times of worship and prayer. The ministry has longstanding relational ties to televangelist Benny Hinn, Jessica Koulianos’ father, whose global healing crusades helped shape segments of the modern charismatic movement.

In his letter, Pasinski makes clear that he is “not alleging criminal conduct, financial misconduct, or illegal activity.” Instead, he outlines what he characterizes as a pattern of unhealthy leadership dynamics and pastoral practices within the ministry.

“I can no longer, in good conscience, support any aspect of the ministry of Jesus Image, including its leadership,” Pasinski wrote.

Concerns Over “Honor” Culture

One of the primary issues raised in the letter centers on what Pasinski calls the use of “honor” language within the church. He alleges that honor is expected to flow upward toward leadership and that disagreement can be framed as dishonor.

“Concepts of ‘honor’ appear to be policed by leadership, and only flow in one direction — up,” he wrote.

Pasinski suggests that this dynamic discourages dissent and creates an atmosphere in which members fear being labeled “dishonorable” or disloyal if they raise concerns.

Allegations of Isolation and Intimidation

The letter also claims that individuals who ask difficult questions risk social isolation.

“Folks worry about being labeled a ‘troublemaker’ or being isolated from the community,” Pasinski wrote.

He further describes meetings that were presented as “well-being check-ins” but, according to accounts shared with him, became interrogations about members’ relationships or associations with critics. Some, he writes, reported that these interactions “felt intimidating.”

Pasinski also alleges that in certain instances spouses were excluded from meetings in which they were discussed, contributing to emotional strain and marital tension.

Fear of Retaliation and Legal Warnings

Among the more serious claims in the letter are allegations that some members feared consequences for leaving or speaking critically about the ministry.

“There is a sense of anxiety that remaining friends and family will be retaliated against,” Pasinski wrote.

He also states that “subtle warnings about potential legal action” were communicated to individuals expressing opposing views.

The letter does not provide documentation of legal threats but characterizes the atmosphere as one that discouraged open criticism.

Burnout and Performance Expectations

Pasinski further alleges a culture of performance-based spirituality, where members feel pressure to “keep up the pace” of ministry involvement.

“Individuals often share their anxiety over the inability to ‘keep up the pace,’” he wrote, adding that those who can do more are perceived as more spiritually dedicated.

Call for Structural Reform

Rather than calling for the closure of the ministry, Pasinski urges specific reforms. He calls on the Board of Directors to:

Appoint an independent third party to conduct a neutral review of ministry practices
Require Michael and Jessica Koulianos to temporarily step back from leadership during the review
Release individuals from contractual provisions limiting their ability to speak about their experiences
Establish a representative elder board drawn from within the congregation

“I still hope that Jesus Image can come to foster an open, transparent, accountable ministry worthy of bearing the name of Christ,” he wrote.

Tone of the Letter

Despite his criticisms, Pasinski closes the letter with a conciliatory tone:

“Michael and Jessica, I love you. This letter is not intended to harm you,” he wrote, adding a public apology for what he described as his own prior silence.

“At the end of the day, Jesus Image is not Jesus,” he concluded. As of this writing, Jesus Image Church has not issued a public response to the letter. The situation highlights ongoing conversations within segments of the charismatic movement regarding governance, accountability, and the use of spiritual authority — particularly in ministries closely connected to high-profile revival networks.

Whether the ministry will initiate the requested independent review remains to be seen.

Here is the letter:

An Open Letter to the Congregation of Jesus Image

My name is Joe Pasinski. My family of seven has been part of the Jesus Image congregation since the Jesus School started in 2018. My wife attended the School and for three of her five years on staff, she was an overseer at Jesus School. Two of my children have also attended the School and served in the Church in different capacities. As an older Christian in the Church, I have had the opportunity to walk alongside many families, making hospital visits and providing one-on-one biblical counseling and mentorship. Yet, our family left Jesus Image in December 2025.

After much prayer, counsel, and contemplation, I write this letter with a heavy heart and great fear and trembling before the Lord. I can no longer, in good conscience, support any aspect of the ministry of Jesus Image, including its leadership.

The observations shared in this letter reflect my personal experiences and accounts shared with me by others. I do not claim to have full knowledge of all circumstances, and I acknowledge that others may have had different experiences. I am not alleging criminal conduct, financial misconduct, or illegal activity. Rather, my concerns relate to leadership culture and pastoral practices. I write solely on my own behalf, out of a hard-pressed conscience, and not on behalf of any current or former employees or associates of Jesus Image.

My Observations

During my time at Jesus Image, I personally experienced concerning patterns of behavior. Those experiences are mirrored by the accounts of others, and include the following patterns — all of which are supported by two, three, or more witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19, 2 Cor. 13:1).

1. Using “Honor” as Coercion: Concepts of “honor” appear to be policed by leadership, and only flow in one direction — up. What is considered “honorable” is often a moving goal post. Folks fear being labeled as “dishonorable,” and the practical result is the discouragement of dissenting or differing opinions.
2. The Threat of Isolation to Foster Compliance: Individuals who express differing views or ask challenging questions can be characterized negatively. Folks worry about being labeled a “troublemaker” or being isolated from the community, which can evolve into serious emotional and spiritual struggles.
3. Dividing to Conquer: Various individuals have shared with me that they were invited to group meetings to address “issues” that they were not previously informed of.

Sometimes, when the targeted individual is married, their spouse is prevented from attending — even when the spouse is discussed. The targeted individual often leaves humiliated or in tears.

1. Ambushing Tactics: Students, interns, and volunteers have also reported being invited to meetings described as “well-being check-ins.” However, the target is interrogated about their associations with critics or dissenters. Some have shared that these interactions felt intimidating and created internal conflict about their relationships — both inside and outside the ministry.
2. Passive Aggression instead of Biblical Confrontation: Leadership have directed others to pass on difficult messages for them. When pressed for clarification by the recipient, the messenger is unable to explain the logic behind their statements, as they often don’t understand or agree with the very message they are delivering.
3. Pressure to Choose: People have reported feeling as if they are being placed in impossible situations where they must choose between leadership’s approval and the people they love.
4. Fostering Fear of Retaliation: Some students endure difficult circumstances at the School because they fear retaliation for leaving, or fear being cut off from the community. There is a sense of anxiety that remaining friends and family will be retaliated against.
5. Making Threats of Legal Action: Multiple individuals have shared with me that leadership has made subtle warnings about potential legal action against those who express opposing views about the ministry.
6. Fostering Division in Marriage: Married couples have shared that one spouse will often be invited to a gathering without the other, contributing to strain in the relationship.
7. Competition and Criticism instead of Unity: Leadership expresses “concerns” about other ministers and ministries that come across as mere petty competition. Folks fear social consequences if they choose to examine others’ ministries for themselves.
8. Causing Burnout: Individuals often share their anxiety over the inability to “keep up the pace,” being considered lazy, or being measured against those who can do more. Those who can do more are viewed as more spiritual and dedicated to Jesus.

If you have not experienced any of these patterns, I am glad. However, I have personally experienced interactions with Jesus Image leadership that have left me feeling dismissed, mislead, and disoriented.

A culture of honor can be wonderful and Godly, but requires mutuality and deference to one another as image-bearers of God (Phil. 2:3-4). “Protecting the anointing” from worldly influences has merit, but not if it is weaponized and results in spiritual injury to the faithful. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13); thinking independently and logically with the prompting of the Spirit is not “dishonorable.” Asking questions does not make you an “Absalom” or “Jezebel.” The Kingdom of God is a place where otherworldly righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit prevail (Rom 14:17), not fear and confusion.

The presence of God that many of us have encountered at Jesus Image is real. But the presence of God is not dependent on the movement of a ministry or an excellent preacher. At the end of the day, Jesus Image is not Jesus.

My Public Apology

In hindsight, I recognize that I was privy to seeing, hearing, and experiencing things that should have been addressed long before this letter. To those I have offended by my silence or inaction, I am deeply sorry. Regardless of how slight my reach was among the people of Jesus Image, my fellow believers deserved more from me. I repent and humbly ask for your forgiveness.

My Call to Action for Jesus Image

I still hope that Jesus Image can come to foster an open, transparent, accountable ministry worthy of bearing the name of Christ. I believe concrete steps are necessary to move forward, so I urge the Board of Directors of Jesus Image to immediately:

1. Appoint an independent third party to conduct a neutral review of Jesus Image’s ministry practices.
2. Pass a resolution requiring Michael and Jessica Koulianos to temporarily step back from their active leadership responsibilities within Jesus Image Church and Jesus Image School while the independent review is conducted.
3. Pass a resolution to release individuals from any contractual provisions that would otherwise limit their ability to speak about their own experiences at Jesus Image.
4. Pass a resolution establishing a representative elder board drawn from within the body of Jesus Image’s members to participate in pastoral care and church oversight.

To My Brothers and Sisters

Michael and Jessica, I love you. This letter is not intended to harm you. I am praying for you every day, and I ask that you pray for me. No one expects you to be perfect, least of all me. God is merciful. My goal in writing this letter is to encourage correction and reconciliation.

To the Church, may God continue to guide us by His Spirit. I pray that we can work together to right the ship of our community without ostracizing one another. I ask that God continues to shine His light in a broken world, and gives us the courage to face ourselves and our humanity so we can heal and move forward together. Lord, have mercy on us, forgive us when we trespass, and give us the strength to do the same for each other.

Grace and peace,

Joe Pasinski