Report from IHOP-KC

There is, what they are calling, an 'awakening' happening at the mission base for the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. It began with on November 11th with the students in the college there. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is often otherwise called 'revival'.

When I first heard of it I felt that the Lord wanted me to go. I found out that Mike Bickle, the IHOP founder and leader, had called Bill Johnson and John Arnott to come and advise IHOP in stewarding the outpouring. They would be there December 7-9. I knew that that is when I wanted to be there. I had no way of getting there financially, and I didn't want to ask my supporters for funds for another trip, so I left it in the hands of God.

On Thursday the 3rd my friend David called from Kansas City and said I needed to get there, he bought me a ticket for Saturday the 5th and put me up in his apartment a mile from the IHOP center. Just in time to be there when Bill Johnson and John Arnott were coming.

I got off the plane and headed to the IHOP center where Wes Hall was leading the regular 'awakening' meeting. I was in for a unique experience and awesome privilege.
The room was alive with the energy and excitement of expectation. There seemed to be a predominately young crowd present, mostly students I assumed. With IHOP staff making up the rest. There was little room left for visitors such as I and we had waited in line for a long time just to get into the auditorium.

The worship was intermixed with prayers and exhortation from Wes Hall. The crowd danced, sang, shouted and prayed with an intensity I have rarely seen. Many crowded the front near the platform where everyone seemed to be praying and laying hands on one another. There did not appear to be a 'ministry team' doing all the laying on of hands, everyone seemed gifted to be able to 'minister' the spirit.

This was not confined to the front, all over the room people were praying for one another and everyone seemed full of the power of the Holy Spirit. Young people were especially having 'fun' with the power of the Spirit. Touching each other and saying 'fire' or 'more' or 'increase' and whoever they were touching were manifesting some physical response. People were falling over everywhere. Some were shaking, some jerking, some doubling over with a sort of bending I have heard called 'crunching'. One young man was shaking in a way I though was physically impossible, he was moving his head so fast I thought it might come off his shoulders.

People, especially the young, were walking around looking quite 'drunk'. Many appeared to have great difficulty walking as they 'crunched' up and down the isles like they kept getting whacked on the head by some invisible board. But all seemed to be enjoying the experience.
Many were on the floor shaking for long periods of time. Many were laughing, some crying, some screaming. I had some idea that Toronto looked a lot like this in 1994. I have never been in more electric atmosphere of revival. It is more then hard to describe, it is impossible!

Bill and Beni Johnson and John and Carol Arnott arrived as expected on Monday night. They were introduced and spoke briefly to the crowd. The same atmosphere was present. They simply observed what was happening. We were told that they would hold meetings with the IHOP leaders during the day. Bill Jonson was to address the gathering on Tuesday at a special meeting at 9 am, and John Arnott would speak on Wednesday at the same hour. In the evening meetings they were there to observe.

Bill and Beni Johnson didn't wait for an invitation to jump in and pray for people though, on that first night (Monday) they got off the platform at the first 'alter call' and prayed for anyone within reach. Being old hands at this stuff they seemed to enjoy diving into the crowd and getting right into the mix of the activity. I wanted to see this up close so I worked my way through the mass of humanity and watched the fun.
I have to use that word 'fun' because I can't think of a more traditionally acceptable word. I make no apology for it though, I have a good sense that God loves to bless His kids with a touch of love that expresses His joy over us in tangible ways.

Speaking of this 'tangible' touch of His love I have to include the physical and emotional healings that were taking place as well. Emotional healing seemingly the 'hallmark' of this particular awakening. The leadership called for testimonies throughout the meetings and person after person came up and told wonderful stories of how God had delivered them from addictions or depression, and even restored marriages. There were several remarkable physical healings too.
The overall message from the Holy Spirit to this group of people seemed to me to be JOY!
If I could express what I think the Lord was saying to IHOP I would declare 'lighten up people' to a organization known for its intensity. I could write a lot about this (see my article 'Grace vs. the Judgment of God' on the 'Articles' page of this website) but I think my opinions at this time would be inappropriate. Suffice it to say that I think the Lord loves His kids and loves to bless them.

I must include a mention of the historical importance of this meeting. There have been many prophetic 'words' seeing a joining of 'three streams of influence' needing to come together to take this worldwide revival to the next level. The prophets have seen the importance of the ministries of IHOP, represented by Mike Bickle, Bethel, represented by Bill Johnson, and Toronto, represented by John Arnott to come to a place of some unity as they represent three important elements in the heart of God. These men would be the first to admit that they are not the only places or people on earth where God is moving, but they do seem to speak for and represent three obvious things happening in the overall 'picture' of what God is doing upon the earth in the international renewal that is taking place. (And they have much they can learn from one another).

On Tuesday the 8th a prophetic declaration and prayer over these men and their wives occurred and I believe something powerful happened in the heavens. (watch iBetheltv's Sunday 13th am message by Bill Johnson for his take on this).
I was privileged to be there to witness this moment. I pray for an increase of the release of revival upon the earth. Open Heaven! And I pray that the gospel of God's grace and the message of faith-righteousness would somehow rise to the top of this outpouring. That the Love of our Heavenly Father and the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the joy of the Holy Spirit expressed in the grace of His 'touch' and 'Presence' would become the overriding expression of the Body of Christ to the people of the earth.


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