So three guys jump in a car on Thanksgiving weekend, drive over 800 miles for an encounter with God that would change our lives. Sounds crazy, and I'm glad that I live in this world of crazy -- because this trip has been amazing.
Last night we went to the Awakening service, and right away God connected me with a friend from Victory! She came to our church years ago and left and came to IHOP. It was really good seeing her again and hopefully we will all connect later on tonight.
Julie Meyer led worship for the first half and it was incredible. These IHOP artists have an amazing ability to weave together multiple songs and use them to lead us into God's presence. They have more excellence, creativity, and depth in their music department than any ministry I've seen or learned about.
We got to witness Mike Bickle, Lou Engle, and others officially recognize Wes and Allen as the leaders of this Awakening. It was a beautiful thing to see fathers release sons to run with something that could forever change the course of the IHOP community and even the world. Mike has not spoken a single word in the webstreams that I've seen, and to see Mike so proud of them made my heart glad. Something else that was remarkable was this: Allen is the president of IHOP U, and Wes is on staff under him. Allen recognized that God's hand is on Wes to lead the Awakening, and submitted himself to his leadership in regards to it. I thought that was a beautiful display of how the body of Christ can work -- choosing to submit to those who God's hand is upon for a specific task, even if they are under your leadership. Wow.
There is no superstar mentality here. Everyone contributes, from the worship leading to the ministry. There hasn't even been preaching -- just the leadership recognizing what God wants to do and run with it.
A highlight of the night is when Julie Meyer prophesied over Wes...she began to sing over him something that God sang over Him in a dream, and oh my...it was overwhelming!
Something shifted in me at a certain portion of the night that I know that I'm set free from. I wont share it yet, for now it is "secret history" as Bill Johnson would call it. All I know is that I got the main drive of what I came for last night, and I'm THRILLED!
btw, Misty Edwards led worship for the second half. Amazing. She is definitely my favorite worship leader ever.
Today we are going to the IHOP prayer room and then to one last service before we begin the long journey home. Please pray for me -- I'm excited at what God is doing in me!
With admiration,
Chris
I'm glad to see God showed up for you! Great blog!
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