Keith Grafham will take on his new role from Sept 1. He has been involved in senior leadership within the 24-7 prayer movement over the past four years and currently works as international director for nation development, helping national leaders with local strategies.
He has worked in senior strategic leadership for more than 20 years in various industries such as edTech, a global consumer goods company.
Grafham will replace current CEO Adrian Eagleson, who has decided the time is right for him to hand over the leadership of the prayer-focused organization.
“I have absolutely loved being CEO of 24-7 Prayer, working alongside a healthy and innovative staff team, and outworking a compelling vision with our movement leaders,” said Eagleson. “I am moving on now, pleased that I have done what I set out to achieve, and with the firm belief that it’s time for someone else with fresh insights and skills to move the organization to its next level.”
In the statement, the trustees said the appointment followed several rounds of interviews and advice from “external advisors, board members, key national and international figures in the movement.”
“We are delighted to welcome Keith into this new role, and we are confident that he has the vision and the skills to lead 24-7 Prayer into its next chapter,” read the trustees statement.
“Please join us in praying for Keith, Adrian, and the whole 24-7 Prayer team as they make these significant transitions. Please in particular remember Adrian in your prayers as he seeks his next role. Adrian has faithfully served both the organization and the movement exceptionally, and we pray God’s blessing over the coming weeks in that search.”
Eagleson became CEO on Sept. 3, 2022, with a mandate “to carry out a set of short-term tasks requiring immediate action” before the recruitment of a longer-term CEO, now known to be Grafham.
Eagleson himself took over from interim CEO Brian Heasley who stepped into the role in Nov. 2021.
The swift changes in leadership for the charity in recent years relate back to Nov. 2021 when 24-7 Prayer trustees became aware of “serious concerns” about Mike Andrea, “serving at that time as the CEO of the organization behind 24-7 Prayer International.”
Andrea resigned from his CEO position on April 14 2022 after a third-party investigation helped by an independent legal and HR firm, Loch Associates.
A statement by Eagleson, as chair of trustees at the time, said Andrea’s conduct in a local church context “fell below the standard expected of a senior Christian leader.” There were several complaints about his leadership style and conduct within the 24-7 Prayer organization itself.
Andrea resigned from Global Generation Church in Westwood Industrial Estate, Thanet, England, which he co-founded with wife Stella. The church ran activities such as a ‘Pipeline activities for youngsters, the annual Lark in the Park family event and the Hang 10 mobile activity scheme for youngsters,” according to the Isle of Thanet News in an online report dated July 22, 2022.
The church operation closed down following a meeting with employees in July 2021 after 36 people raised concerns about their experience in the church with an independent investigator, according to the local newspaper.
“The independent investigation, carried out by employment law and HR specialists Loch Associates, was prompted after an initial complaint from a former member,” wrote reporter Kathy Bailes for the Isle of Thanet News.
“Her allegations consisted of claims of coercion, unethical employment practices, gaining control with ‘love bombing’ through gifts and trips, verbal aggression, inappropriate comments and an alleged ‘exorcism’ incident. The claims related to Mike Andrea and wife Stella.
“Following the investigation, the couple stepped down from their roles within the church with Mike resigning on February 22 and Stella leaving on March 16.”
