Bill Gothard is a former Christian leader and founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a conservative religious organization that promotes a set of principles based on biblical teachings. He is also the creator of the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), a homeschooling program that follows his interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.
Bill Gothard’s Early Life and Career
Bill Gothard was born on November 2, 1934, in Illinois. He grew up in a religious household and developed an interest in biblical studies from a young age. He attended Wheaton College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1961, both in biblical studies. He also obtained a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Louisiana Baptist University in 2004.
In 1961, he founded Campus Teams, a Christian group that aimed to help young people make wiser choices. The group expanded to different churches and became known as the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts (IBYC) in 1974. In 1989, the name was changed to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), reflecting its broader scope and audience.
Bill Gothard also launched the Advanced Training Institute (ATI) in 1984, a homeschooling program that taught his principles of Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success. He also held seminars around the world to spread his teachings on topics such as moral dating, female obedience, conservative dressing, chaperoned courtship, aversion to birth control, and discipline through mental and physical techniques.
Bill Gothard’s Controversies and Scandals
Bill Gothard’s reputation as a respected Christian leader was tarnished by several allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse. In 2014, more than 30 women came forward and accused him of sexually harassing or assaulting them over several decades. Some of the accusers were former employees or students of his organization. Some also claimed that he had raped them or molested them when they were minors.
As a result of these allegations, Bill Gothard was placed on indefinite administrative leave by the IBLP board in February 2014. He resigned from his position as president and board member in March 2014. However, he denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he had never kissed or touched any woman inappropriately.
In 2015, 17 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Bill Gothard and IBLP, seeking damages for emotional distress, negligence, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2018 due to statute of limitations issues. In 2020, another lawsuit was filed by five women who alleged that Bill Gothard had sexually abused them when they were children or teenagers. The lawsuit is still pending as of September 2023.
Bill Gothard’s Net Worth and Current Status
Despite his scandals and controversies, Bill Gothard still has a loyal following of supporters who believe in his teachings and principles. He maintains a social media presence on Facebook, where he posts updates on his activities and projects. He also claims that his work is for good and on behalf of God.
According to various sources123, Bill Gothard’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million to $5 million as of 2023. This is based on his income from his seminars, books, donations, and investments over the years. However, this figure may not be accurate or up-to-date, as he has not disclosed his financial details publicly.
Bill Gothard is currently living in Illinois and is reportedly working on a new book called “The Power of Crying Out”. He is also involved in some humanitarian projects in Africa and Asia. He has never married or had any children.