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1 Timothy 5:19-20
Allegations Against Cities For Christ
We are publicly asking for the board of Cities for Christ to do a 3rd party investigation into the allegations.* One approved by the survivors.
Everything mentioned is from 1st hand testimony from the survivors and those involved. We've attempted to make it as factual as possible and back up what we say with further evidence, but ultimately we come with a bias as we believe the stories of the women. For those who challenge what they say please join us in calling for an unbiased investigation so that we can trust what they find and avoid discrediting or validating their stories through misinformation.
Timeline
*There are more things we could share (they are unfortunately even worse), but have chosen to only focus on one of the women for now in hopes that it will be enough to finally have the board of Cities for Christ take these accusations serious enough to stop trusting Steven Koko and Solomon Kepkey and to launch a third party investigation into the allegations of abuse and financial misspending so that trauma informed professionals can determine the validity of the claims of all of the women. Had this been done originally we never would have needed to go public with anything, but we will continue to advocate for them until an investigation is underway.
“All the evidence, including a live video of me sharing my testimony, was presented to the ministry directors. However, all they did was silence us and protect him, allowing Steven to continue traveling and preaching as if nothing had happened. Today I finish writing this not out of revenge, but to raise my voice. To raise awareness of everything that happened. To make it known how supposed Christian leaders covered up for an abuser, ignoring the evidence and silencing the victims. They didn't silence me then. They won't silence me now.”
The final paragraph in the written testimony of "Sarah"
Share your Story
If you have experienced harm or have concerns related to your involvement with Cities for Christ or its leadership, we want you to know that you're not alone. We understand that speaking up can be difficult, and we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and confidential space for those who wish to share their experiences.
Know that sharing something doesn't mean it will be made public. Anything we've shared is with the permission and appreciation of the women. Our goal is to help anyone who has felt alone in their pain and/or confusion with how they were treated. Whether you are ready to share or not, know that there are people who care about what you've been through and are praying for your healing in it.
October 2015
Baranquilla Para Cristo. Steven Koko envisioned and led a ministry movement to gather the churches to pray, train in evangelism, and evangelize the city. Tim Harrison meets Steven Koko and Nick Gellis in Colombia and they become friends. See video
December 10-20, 2018
Steven Koko takes "Sara" to Cancun with a chaperone. On this trip he consistently crosses physical boundaries and makes her uncomfortable. When she resists he tells her ""You must obey me. That way I'll know if you'll be a good wife." She is 19. He is 41. See Picture
July 2019
CFC flies Tim into Chicago to offer him the Executive Director role. Tim turns it down. At the same time, Solomon Kepkey and Steven Koko are having meetings without the CFC board and start a new ministry (Nations for Christ) with the vision of evangelizing entire nations with the Gospel. They make plans for Costa Rica.
Fall 2020
Steven Koko confesses sexual sin to Tim. In response, Tim involves Steven's pastor who meets with Steven for restoration. His pastor doesn't involve the CFC board. It is believed that he's repented and been restored.
November 20, 2022
Tim Harrison is voted in by 3 CFC board members as interim president for at least 1 year so Steven Koko can take a year long sabbatical.
Earlier that month at the CFC staff retreat, Steven Koko tells the team that Tim is stepping in after his leadership team privately discussed his sabbatical and the need for professional counselling. See Video
December 4, 2022
Due to suspicion over why Steven Koko and Solomon Kepkey are misleading people, Tim, Nick, Zulmy (Nick's wife), and Scott Sullenberger (CFC employee) meet with "Sara" and hear of the abuse for the first time. This meeting was recorded and later labeled by the board as an "unauthorized investigation" seemingly to discount what was shared and assume some type of legal right over the video.
Around this time, Steven Koko withdraws all of the funds (over $400,000) from the ministry account without the knowledge or authorization of the financial officer and chair of the board. He claims his actions were to protect the money because of a $2,000 withdraw from the chair of the board, but uses it to convince her not to hire a lawyer to protect CFC against what he's done. She agrees so that the staff can be paid.
December 13, 2022
Three days after the board was shown testimony of abuse Tim, Scott Sullenberger, and Denise (the board chair) receive a Cease and Desist letter. See letter.
Steven Koko calls the woman in the video and asks her to make a video claiming different "facts" then she did in the video. He also says that she will be receiving $10,000 from CFC as it's closing. She blocked him, didn't make the video, CFC didn't close, She never received any money.
She is to say in the video:
- No sex in Costa Rica
- Nothing against your will
- No 4 hours in cold air. 30 minutes (referring to when he had her stand naked in front of an air conditioner as punishment for not doing what he wanted)
- I'm NOT going to report him. I've already forgiven him, and she forgives me. See Messages
January 2023
CFC Newsletter mentions a sabbatical for Steven because he's made "poor decisions" due to being burnt out and that Gary York is stepping in as president. See Newsletter
Nick and Zulmy take "Sara" to the doctor to remove the birth control device Steven paid for to be put in her arm so she wouldn't have to keep using the morning after pill. See Pictures
June 11, 2025
5 previous CFC employees (Executive Director, Financial Officer, Interim President, a spiritual son to Koko, and a woman brought to Christ through the ministry), 1 past board member, and 2 past ministry connections of Steven Koko release a public call for his true repentance and removal from ministry. This was done out of a concern that he was or will be creating more victims. He was about to lead more mission trips full of young women. See letter
July 2023
Steven Koko is back preaching 7 months after his admission to 5+ sexual relationships and abuse to his board.
July 13, 2025
Steven Koko publicly posts about his sexual sin, its reoccurrence after his alleged "restoration", and his stepping down from his position. See post. One of the victims reads it, laughs at some of the blatant mistruths, and was angry over the others.
Because of:
1) The continued pattern to twist the truth and push away true accountability
2) Him causing more division and hurt since the public letter release
3) His board backing him in these tactics
It is decided that more public information needs to be released and new discussion begins as to the best way to do so.
March-November 2018
Panama Para Cristo. Steven Koko and Nick Gellis meet "Sara" in a Panama City movie theater. Koko convinces her to join the ministry of Panama Para Cristo and hires her. She sees him as an older father figure, but he starts pursuing her romantically and uses prophetic manipulation to bring up marrying her in a few months. First to get to know her, he takes her on trips. See pictures Steven Koko meets other women here that develop into romantic/sexual relationships. At least two relationships become abusive.
January 2019
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cities for Christ, Pete Les, confronts Koko for his spiritual and financial abuses. Pete and the board split ways afterwards. (different board than 2022)
Summer 2020
Steven Koko convinces "Sara" to meet him and Solomon Kepkey at the Panama/Costa Rica border where they smuggle her through Covid checkpoints. See Picture Eventually Solomon leaves Koko and "Sara" alone at a San Jose airbnb for over a month. The relationship turns physically abusive.
Fall 2021
Tim confronts Steven Koko again believing that he is still unrepentant. Steven agrees that there are still issues and goes on a spiritual retreat to seek God for 2 weeks.
November 15-30, 2022
A week after he's placed as "interim pastor", Tim discovers the sexual relationships have continued. Due to the failure of past restorations, Tim writes a letter temporarily removing him from ministry and giving him strict guidelines to follow. The letter is signed by by Tim, the board chair, and Koko's latest pastoral counsel - Scott Sullenberger. It is presented to Steven Koko on a zoom call with his Pastor. See Letter
Initially, he seems compliant, but within a week Solomon Kepkey gets permission from Tim to head up a restoration team for Steven Koko. He uses it to bring in Gary York. Solomon then puts together a 52-page document to try to convince the board Tim has tried to takeover the ministry maliciously and seeks his removal. One board member is convinced. See Document
December 10, 2022
Tim requests for a meeting with the leadership team in person so he can answer their questions and explain his decision to have Steven Koko step down. It is granted on December 2. See document. Then Gary York changes his mind and he and Solomon Kepkey try to stop it from happening. See emails.
After some difficulty, the CFC leadership meeting takes place on December 10th. Solomon doesn't attend. Gary York starts the meeting by passing out NDAs for Tim, Scott, Steven's pastor, and board chair (Denise) to sign. See NDA.
Tim shows the recording of the Dec. 4th conversation with "Sara" in the meeting and everyone hears of the abuse. Tim appeals to Steven Koko again for repentance and he's defiant later stating that she asked him to discipline her. Tim tells the board that he believes there are other victims and they need to investigate. Tim excuses himself after to allow the board to make decisions. See 32 minutes of the conversation with "Sarah" in Mike Winger's video
December 23, 2022
The vote to place Tim as interim president is repealed. Afterwards he's sent an Affidavit of Cessation in response to his letters to the board requesting the appropriate action in light of Steven's admission of abuse. See Affidavit of Cessation and letters.
Soon after, Scott, Denise (she always planned to), Nick and Zulmy, Sam (financial officer), and board member Joe Sloan all resign. See resignation letters sent to the board
February 2023
A third victim speaks to "Sara" and then to Nick and Zulmy and Tim. Her story is heartbreaking and shows similar patterns as "Sara". Two of the victims begin professional counselling for the trauma from their relationships with Steven Koko.
September 2024
Another potential victim reaches out to one of the victims who has spoken to Nick and Zulmy.
June 13, 2025
Steven Koko involves Torben Sondergaard to act as a mediator between him and Tim. As Torben mediates he discovers that Steven has been lying and it's much worse then he originally thought. After telling Steven that he should step down and never return to ministry, Steven removes Torben as a mediator and stops communicating with him. Torben meets with 2 of the victims and hears their stories for himself.
Steve Thefanous, the CFC board chair explains why Torben was removed, However, without a mediator that both sides could trust it was decided there is no moving forward with them directly. The concern is that any information shared privately will just continue the pattern of twisting a narrative that does more harm to the victims. See messages
August 2025
A trauma specialist is involved to help guide the process with the women and more is released publicly through videos and this website with the hopes of pressing Steven Koko and the CFC Board to move forward with a 3rd party investigation. If it discovers the allegations are credible, we ask that they not twist or hide its findings to protect the ministry at the expense of the victims, but to respectfully present the whole truth and stop revictimizing the women and dividing the body of Christ.
October 2015
Baranquilla Para Cristo. Steven Koko envisioned and led a ministry movement to gather the churches to pray, train in evangelism, and evangelize the city. Tim Harrison meets Steven Koko and Nick Gellis in Colombia and they become friends. See video
Panama Para Cristo. Steven Koko and Nick Gellis meet "Sara" in a Panama City movie theater. Koko convinces her to join the ministry of Panama Para Cristo and hires her. She sees him as an older father figure, but he starts pursuing her romantically and uses prophetic manipulation to bring up marrying her in a few months. First to get to know her, he takes her on trips. See pictures Steven Koko meets other women here that develop into romantic/sexual relationships. At least two relationships become abusive.
March-November 2018
Steven Koko takes "Sara" to Cancun with a chaperone. On this trip he consistently crosses physical boundaries and makes her uncomfortable. When she resists he tells her "You must obey me. That way I'll know if you'll be a good wife." She is 19. He is 41. See Picture
December 10-20, 2018
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cities for Christ, Pete Les, confronts Koko for his spiritual and financial abuses. Pete and the board split ways afterwards. (different board than 2022)
January 2019
CFC flies Tim into Chicago to offer him the Executive Director role. Tim turns it down. At the same time, Solomon Kepkey and Steven Koko are having meetings without the CFC board and start a new ministry (Nations for Christ) with the vision of evangelizing entire nations with the Gospel. They make plans for Costa Rica.
July 2019
Summer 2020
Steven Koko convinces "Sara" to meet him and Solomon Kepkey at the Panama/Costa Rica border where they smuggle her through Covid checkpoints. Eventually Solomon leaves Koko and "Sara" alone at a San Jose airbnb for over a month. The relationship turns physically abusive. See Picture
Fall 2020
Steven Koko confesses sexual sin to Tim. In response, Tim involves Steven's pastor who meets with Steven for restoration. His pastor doesn't involve the CFC board. It is believed that he's repented and been restored.
Tim Harrison is voted in by 3 CFC board members as interim president for at least 1 year so Steven Koko can take a year long sabbatical.
Earlier that month at the CFC staff retreat, Steven Koko tells the team that Tim is stepping in after his leadership team privately discussed his sabbatical and the need for professional counselling. See Video
November 20, 2022
Fall 2021
Tim confronts Steven Koko again believing that he is still unrepentant. Steven agrees that there are still issues and goes on a spiritual retreat to seek God for 2 weeks.
A trauma specialist is involved to help guide the process with the women and more is released publicly through videos and this website with the hopes of pressing Steven Koko and the CFC Board to move forward with a 3rd party investigation. If it discovers the allegations are credible, we ask that they not twist or hide its findings to protect the ministry at the expense of the victims, but to respectfully present the whole truth and stop revictimizing the women and dividing the body of Christ.
August 2025
Steven Koko publicly posts about his sexual sin, its reoccurrence after his alleged "restoration", and his stepping down from his position. See post. One of the victims reads it, laughs at some of the blatant mistruths, and was angry over the others.
Because of:
1) The continued pattern to twist the truth and push away true accountability
2) Him causing more division and hurt since the public letter release
3) His board backing him in these tactics
It is decided that more public information needs to be released and new discussion begins as to the best way to do so.
July 13, 2025
Steven Koko involves Torben Sondergaard to act as a mediator between him and Tim. As Torben mediates he discovers that Steven has been lying and it's much worse then he originally thought. After telling Steven that he should step down and never return to ministry, Steven removes Torben as a mediator and stops communicating with him. Torben meets with 2 of the victims and hears their stories for himself.
Steve Thefanous, the CFC board chair explains why Torben was removed, However, without a mediator that both sides could trust it was decided there is no moving forward with them directly. The concern is that any information shared privately will just continue the pattern of twisting a narrative that does more harm to the victims. See messages
June 13, 2025
5 previous CFC employees (Executive Director, Financial Officer, Interim President, a spiritual son to Koko, and a woman brought to Christ through the ministry), 1 past board member, and 2 past ministry connections of Steven Koko release a public call for his true repentance and removal from ministry. This was done out of a concern that he was or will be creating more victims. He was about to lead more mission trips full of young women. See letter
June 11, 2025
Another potential victim reaches out to one of the victims who has spoken to Nick and Zulmy.
September 2024
Steven Koko is back preaching 7 months after his admission to 5+ sexual relationships and abuse to his board.
July 2023
A third victim speaks to "Sara" and then to Nick and Zulmy and Tim. Her story is heartbreaking and shows similar patterns as "Sara". Two of the victims begin professional counselling for the trauma from their relationships with Steven Koko.
February 2023
CFC Newsletter mentions a sabbatical for Steven because he's made "poor decisions" due to being burnt out and that Gary York is stepping in as president. See Newsletter
Nick and Zulmy take "Sara" to the doctor to remove the birth control device Steven paid for to be put in her arm so she wouldn't have to keep using the morning after pill. See Pictures
January 2023
The vote to place Tim as interim president is repealed. Afterwards he's sent an Affidavit of Cessation in response to his letters to the board requesting the appropriate action in light of Steven's admission of abuse. See Affidavit of Cessation and letters.
Soon after, Scott, Denise (she always planned to), Nick and Zulmy, Sam (financial officer), and board member Joe Sloan all resign. See resignation letters sent to the board
December 23, 2022
Three days after the board was shown testimony of abuse Tim, Scott Sullenberger, and Denise (the board chair) receive a Cease and Desist letter. See letter.
Steven Koko calls the woman in the video and asks her to make a video claiming different "facts" then she did in the video. He also says that she will be receiving $10,000 from CFC as it's closing. She blocked him, didn't make the video, CFC didn't close, She never received any money.
She is to say in the video:
- No sex in Costa Rica
- Nothing against your will
- No 4 hours in cold air. 30 minutes (referring to when he had her stand naked in front of an air conditioner as punishment for not doing what he wanted)
- I'm NOT going to report him. I've already forgiven him, and she forgives me. See Messages
December 13, 2022
Tim requests for a meeting with the leadership team in person so he can answer their questions and explain his decision to have Steven Koko step down. It is granted on December 2. See document. Then Gary York changes his mind and he and Solomon Kepkey try to stop it from happening. See emails.
After some difficulty, the CFC leadership meeting takes place on December 10th. Solomon doesn't attend. Gary York starts the meeting by passing out NDAs for Tim, Scott, Steven's pastor, and board chair (Denise) to sign. See NDA.
Tim shows the recording of the Dec. 4th conversation with "Sara" in the meeting and everyone hears of the abuse. Tim appeals to Steven Koko again for repentance and he's defiant later stating that she asked him to discipline her. Tim tells the board that he believes there are other victims and they need to investigate. Tim excuses himself after to allow the board to make decisions. See excerpts of video shown to the board
December 10, 2022
Due to suspicion over why Steven Koko and Solomon Kepkey are misleading people, Tim, Nick, Zulmy (Nick's wife), and Scott Sullenberger (CFC employee) meet with "Sara" and hear of the abuse for the first time. This meeting was recorded and later labeled by the board as an "unauthorized investigation" seemingly to discount what was shared and assume some type of legal right over the video.
Around this time, Steven Koko withdraws all of the funds (over $400,000) from the ministry account without the knowledge or authorization of the financial officer and chair of the board. He claims his actions were to protect the money because of a $2,000 withdraw from the chair of the board, but uses it to convince her not to hire a lawyer to protect CFC against what he's done. She agrees so that the staff can be paid.
December 4, 2022
A week after he's placed as "interim pastor", Tim discovers the sexual relationships have continued. Due to the failure of past restorations, Tim writes a letter temporarily removing him from ministry and giving him strict guidelines to follow. The letter is signed by by Tim, the board chair, and Koko's latest pastoral counsel - Scott Sullenberger. It is presented to Steven Koko on a zoom call with his Pastor. See Letter
Initially, he seems compliant, but within a week Solomon Kepkey gets permission from Tim to head up a restoration team for Steven Koko. He uses it to bring in Gary York. Solomon then puts together a 52-page document to try to convince the board Tim has tried to takeover the ministry maliciously and seeks his removal. One board member is convinced. See Document
November 15-30, 2022
*There are more things we could share (they are unfortunately even worse), but have chosen to only focus on one of the women for now in hopes that it will be enough to finally have the board of Cities for Christ take these accusations serious enough to stop trusting Steven Koko and Solomon Kepkey and to launch a third party investigation into the allegations of abuse and financial misspending so that trauma informed professionals can determine the validity of the claims of all of the women. Had this been done originally we never would have needed to go public with anything, but we will continue to advocate for them until an investigation is underway.
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