He deactivated his social media accounts.
Michael Brown, founder of the FIRE School of Ministry, announced that he will be deactivating his account on the social media platform X until an ongoing investigation into allegations against him is concluded. Brown, who also hosts the nationally syndicated “Line of Fire” radio program, addressed his 63,000 followers on Saturday, stating that he would refrain from commenting on the situation until the investigation is complete, adding, “May the Lord be glorified.”
The investigation was initiated about three weeks ago when the Line of Fire Board hired the law firm Mitchell, Stein, Carey, and Chapman to look into the claims made by a former female staffer, who has been identified by the pseudonym “Erin.” The board has promised to publicly release the findings once the inquiry is finished. Erin alleges that Brown engaged in inappropriate behavior with her when she worked at the FIRE School of Ministry in the early 2000s, including slapping her buttocks, kissing her on the lips, and holding her hand. She stated that she left the ministry in 2002, at the age of 21, because she felt uncomfortable with these actions.
Erin had been close to Brown since attending the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in 1999, where he served as president before being fired in 2000. She followed him to the FIRE School of Ministry, where Brown reportedly referred to her as a “daughter” and asked her to call him “Dad.” Initially, Erin appreciated the attention due to her difficult home life, but she later felt uncomfortable with the physical contact. She described incidents where Brown progressed from holding her hand to kissing her and slapping her buttocks.
Brown, in response to the allegations, denied any inappropriate sexual conduct, stating that he and his wife Nancy considered Erin to be like a family member. He acknowledged, however, that his interactions with her were poorly judged, although he maintained they were not sexual. Brown expressed shock at the accusations and the accompanying public statements, and he fully supported the board’s decision to launch an independent investigation.