BY : Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Christian Post
Kenneth W. Hagin, the founding and current senior pastor of Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has announced that his son, co-pastor Craig W. Hagin, was fired last Wednesday due to conduct inconsistent with ministry leadership.
The Rhema Bible Church leader, who is the son of Word of Faith movement founder Kenneth E. Hagin, made the announcement to his church on Sunday. He also released a statement on the church’s website, which followed Craig Hagin and his wife, Mia, being arrested for “animal cruelty” last month.
Kenneth Hagin said that on top of the criminal matter, the church learned of additional “credible information” regarding their son’s “actions that do not reflect the values and standards that we expect of those in the leadership.”
“The ministry leadership of Rhema Bible Church has ended Craig Hagin’s employment, leadership roles, and association with Rhema Bible Church and its ministries, effective June 3, 2026. Craig, who served as Chief Operating Officer, is no longer authorized to serve, speak, or act on behalf of Rhema,” Kenneth Hagin stated.
“In early 2026, Craig was placed on sabbatical following charges in a pending criminal matter. That matter remains before the courts, and we believe it is important to allow the legal process to proceed without speculation; therefore, we will not comment further on those proceedings at this time.”
Kenneth Hagin noted that he can’t comment on the ongoing criminal charges against his son, but that he and his wife had learned in the last week about “conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of those serving in ministry leadership.”
“After Lynette and I returned from overseas ministry travel and were fully briefed on these matters, we exercised our responsibility as overseers of this ministry and took immediate action to end Craig’s employment,” he said. “As a result, Craig no longer serves in any ministerial, leadership, or administrative capacity and has no role in the governance, direction, operations, or decision-making of this ministry.”
The church has not detailed the allegations of misconduct facing their son. A Rhema Bible Church spokesperson told The Christian Post last Thursday that the church is praying for the couple and they are asking the public to do the same.
Missie Engelke, Mia Hagin’s sister, stated in a Facebook post that her sister was not “convicted of animal cruelty.”
“She ultimately pleaded no contest to a disturbing-the-peace charge related to barking dogs. That distinction matters. In today’s world, accusations and headlines often spread much faster than facts, and many people form conclusions before understanding the full situation,” Engelke stated.
She wrote that her sister, who owns and operates an animal rescue organization, was transitioning her operation to a new facility at the time of her arrest. Engelke said the rescue animals were temporarily housed at a property under renovation, but “authorities reportedly believed the property had been abandoned after hearing dogs barking inside.”
This clarification is further supported by a News 6 report.
“This is a clear case of someone getting in over their head when it comes to care of various animals. The intent of Ms. Hagin was to care for these animals, but in the interim created an environment that was not appropriate for animals in shelters to be placed,” a statement from the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office said.
“In every single animal cruelty case, our office mandates an animal education and behavioral correction class that addresses the root issues of animal cruelty and neglect. We hope in the future she will think critically about the conditions in which her animals are being housed and continue to provide treatment in ways that are safe and nurturing for those animals.”
Mia and Craig Hagin were originally charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty following an investigation at their south Tulsa home, where at least 25 cats and dogs were found. Prosecutors alleged the couple acted “maliciously and cruelly” while caring for animals around March 19. The case against Craig Hagin remains ongoing, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 7.
“The animals were not abandoned. They were being fed, watered, vetted, spayed, neutered, and regularly let outside,” Engelke insisted.
“While she may be dealing with many other personal struggles, I have never known either of them to harm an animal. In fact, I would describe them as people who have spent years sacrificially caring for animals that many others would have ignored or abandoned.”
In the statement announcing his son’s firing, Kenneth Hagin called it a “deeply painful matter” for his family and ministry.
“As part of our responsibility to exercise faithful stewardship and maintain appropriate internal safeguards, Rhema has removed Craig’s access to all organizational systems, accounts, and ministry platforms,” he said.
“We recognize that this news is painful and raises understandable questions. Due to the ongoing nature of this situation, including related legal and personal matters, we will refrain from sharing additional details publicly at this time.”
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