A viral book signing video has sparked controversy over whether a popular charismatic leader could be a grifter or the real deal. Kathryn Krick, a self-described apostle, was in Texas at a book signing when she claimed revival broke out. In a video posted by her ministry, multiple individuals can be seen approaching Krick to sign a copy of her book, Ignite Revival, when they suddenly fall to the ground or shake uncontrollably. “How God moved in that bookstore among the people amazed us!” wrote Krick. Many of the attendees claimed they had real encounters with God, with one describing the experience as “one of the best days of my life.”  Krick has a large social media following and leads Five-Fold Church in Los Angeles. Her sermons regularly go viral from reactions of members of her audience.

Respected Bible teacher Mike Winger has been quick to call out Krick, accusing her of being a cult leader. One video he took issue with was of members of Krick’s church in 2024 giving her “worshipful love” by bowing down to her on her birthday and telling her how much they loved her. Some of her admirers called her “mama” while one man said, “Thank you for laying down your life so that we may live,” to which Krick responded, “Bless you, my son.”

Allie Beth Stuckey reacted to the video of the book signing by outlining three red flags she was seeing from Krick’s ministry. “I want to be completely unequivocal. I think that this is a false ministry. I think it’s a dangerous ministry. I don’t think it’s something that you need to follow,” warned Stuckey. The three warning signs she addressed were Krick’s use of the title “apostle,” her theatrical exorcisms and healings, and then finally her guarantee that financial donations will receive spiritual blessings.  “My concern is that she may be using charismatic theology, a dynamic personality, the power of social media to spiritually manipulate and emotionally manipulate people into providing her with wealth and power,” said Stuckey. She said Krick could not be an apostle because the age of the apostles ended with the deaths of those who had seen Jesus in person. Stuckey also showed videos where Krick heals the same people over and over again or performs exorcisms on the same individuals, implying her healings may be rehearsed. Krick has responded by saying that those individuals were receiving healing “in layers.” “Some people receive deliverance all at once. But others are oppressed by multiple demons, and depending on their readiness to renounce and surrender all, and depending on how God chooses to deliver a person, some receive deliverance in layers—meaning not just at one time of prayer,” Krick told Church Leaders. She also defended her title of apostle. “Just as we need living pastors, teachers, and evangelists to equip the body of Christ, we also need living Apostles and Prophets.”