As reported by Charisma News, sources claim Crist “exploited his Christian reputation and platform to harass, manipulate and exploit young women over the last seven years”.

Among other things, he has been accused of sexting, seeking sexual relationships with married women, and offering tickets to his shows in exchange for sexual favours.

“I’ve sinned against God, against women and the people who I love the most.” — John Crist

Crist has sent a statement to Charisma in response to the allegations, publicly apologising.

“Over the past number of years, various women have accused me of behaviour that has been hurtful to them,” wrote Crist, who recently announced a Netflix comedy special and is followed by more than 1.2 million on Instagram.

“While I am not guilty of everything I’ve been accused of, I confess to being guilty of this — I have treated relationships with women far too casually, in some cases even recklessly.”

“My behaviour has been destructive and sinful. I’ve sinned against God, against women and the people who I love the most.”

Crist is one of the most famous Christians on the planet. He rocketed to fame via YouTube videos satirising Christian and church culture. He’s had 105 million views of his sketches which include “Christian Girl Instagram” and “How It’s Made: Christian music”.

Among the examples of offensive behaviour Crist is accused of, Charisma outlines allegations of his interactions with a woman called Kate. Having interviewed Crist for a podcast in May 2017, Kate was surprised and excited that Crist contacted her and invited her to dinner. Even though Crist had shared during the interview about suffering with sexual addiction, Kate was not suspicious. She told her boyfriend where she was going and went to meet Crist.

Kate says that she and Crist drank some alcohol, went rollerblading and then he forcibly tried to kiss her. She alleges that he grabbed her several times and told her he wanted to have sex with her.

“The one thing that stopped me from believing he was creepy is John so proudly parades his face as a Christian,” Kate told Charisma.

“I’ve let myself believe that just because someone is a Christian means they won’t do something intentionally bad. But the truth is, John invited me to his apartment with the intention of sleeping with me ….”

Crist explained he has received “regular professional treatment” for sexual sin and addiction during the past few years. To devote himself to “getting healthy spiritually, mentally and physically,” he has postponed all of his “future commitments”, including the immediate cancellation of the “Immature Thoughts” tour he has been on.

Crist has reportedly told others before that he is seeking professional help — as far back as 2014. But several of the women who spoke with Charisma about Crist’s inappropriate sexualised behaviour stated it had occurred during the past few years.

“I now humbly seek forgiveness and mercy and love—not just for me, but for those I’ve hurt along my path. I’m so sorry.” – Jon Crist

“I’m ashamed of my behaviour and I’m so sorry for hurting so many people,” Crist wrote. “I don’t blame anyone but myself.

“I realise it will be difficult for some people to ever forgive me, and I accept that as a result of my bad decisions and actions.

“My entire career has been lived out on stage, and even though I’ve shared many of my life struggles with my audiences, I’ve lived in constant fear of the darkest parts of my life being exposed publicly.”

This year, Crist scored a No. 1 single on iTunes Christian charts with Check Your Heart, a song about watching porn and sexting with a rebuking chorus: “Why you trollin’? Check your heart. Stop that scrollin’, check your heart.”

Crist wrote that “my greatest fear has been that those who have loved and supported me would hate me if they knew everything about me.”

“I now humbly seek forgiveness and mercy and love—not just for me, but for those I’ve hurt along my path. I’m so sorry.”