IHOP, Boiler Room, Favor

On May 7, 1999, the International House of Prayer Missions Base was founded by Mike Bickle and twenty full-time “intercessory missionaries” who cried out to God in prayer with worship for thirteen hours each day. Four months later, on September 19, 1999, prayer and worship extended to the full 24/7 schedule. - ihop.org

A gloomy, but warm enough sky set the scene as we drove from Tennessee to Kansas City. We had heard so much about things the LORD was doing in this place, and even tasted of it a little at a conference called Onething last year. More and more though, we've witnessed the missions and prayer movement converge, and in turn seen the release of power like never before. Missionaries, from the place of prayer and intimacy are being fired up to be His hands and feet.

Once again, we were blessed with housing, surrounded not only with walls and a ceiling, but with love and His presence. Christian Gonzales, one of the most intelligent, God-fearing people we've met, set up our housing, and more... he shared with us how God is leading him to some amazing revelation on Jesus as a the reference for truth. Ross and Amanda, currently serving IHOP, put us up and gave us meals... what amazing new friends we have made.

First stop was to meet with Bob Hartley. Jedidiah Hartley, Bob's son, invited us to a prayer time with His dad early morning shortly after arriving. Bob runs several businesses and raises up Hope centers with the intention of seeing cities raised up that love God well. Bob is a prophetic voice in this generation, and had words of accurate encouragement for each one of us. "8-31 man..." he began as he talked to me. At first, there was a little confusion, until I realized

Bob had nailed my birth date on the head. He continued to accurately share with us the testimony of Jesus' hearts to us. While there are still words that we're not sure about (and need to prayerfully consider) we were aware of the Holy Spirit in our midst. After that we went to the Daniel Academy, the IHOP highschool, where the kids prayed powerful prayers, even singing in the Spirit, over us. We went back to the office to join Bob, and many other businessmen in the area for a time of seeking the LORD and thanking Him for His favor. (He does this every weekday morning).

The Boiler Room... another establishment birthed out of a prayer movement, the Boiler Room is a spiritual family, living to see every sphere permeated with the love of the Gospel. We sat down with Adam Cox and his friend Dave to hear about what the LORD was doing. It was so encouraging, and deeply challenging to see a community based around the presence of God living lives, and seeing the art culture reached. 4 floors of glorious community and people of prayer and brotherhood. We were prayed for, and Eli received some awesome words of her prophetic voice being realized.

Erica and the rest of us, had some amazing times of prayer/worship/intercession at the Prayer Room at IHOP. (I mention Erica because she pulled 3 all nighters - epic). The atmosphere was so inviting, we could have stayed much much longer.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Brian Kim, who is one of the leaders at IHOP. He shared with us thoughts on community, and helped us process a bit. Then went on to share about the end times, and how it's important to know where you stand on the issue. If we really are in the end times, how important is it we undertand the season we're in? We want to be like the men of Issachar.

We attended Bob Hartley's Champions of Hope meeting that he has weekly, and shared more prophetic words for our team. Chris Little is now Chris Big, and Matt is called to cities and countries with 'T', while Haley will be a revivalist in Sacramento, so much more...

Just when we thought things couldn't get any better, we get a call from Mrs. Engle (Chris had been in communication with Jonathan, who's currently taking a school in Kona), asking us when we would be able to come over to the house to spend some time with them. Unreal. Matt had a dream earlier that we would meet with Lou. While we were psyched out of our minds, the excitement was replaced with the reality that this was "just" another burning, Jesus-lover. We related with him so much as he asked us our stories and we shared thoughts on the next great awakening, and the moves of the Spirit. He and his wife finished by praying over us, and releasing mantles of prayer and fasting... lookout. What a day. What's crazy is we would have kept hanging out, but we "had" to go to the Hartley's for dinner!

All in all... KC is blowing up - the blazing inferno of God's love is ravishing continuously and systematically through the body. We've received so much from the LORD during our few days there, I pray that we will never forget those moments.