Four years ago this month we moved to Kansas City to be a part of the International House of Prayer. Little did we know what that would look like for our family - we were simply saying “Yes” to the Lord’s calling. We went through an intense 3-month internship called ‘Intro to IHOP’ and joined staff without taking a breath. Our first mission was to start the Media Apprenticeship, a 24/7 workforce of young camera operators, directors, and sound technicians who broadcast the Prayer Room on GODTV and the internet. For the last 4 years we’ve been active in ministry in many ways; leading worship as a family at the Children’s Equipping Center, shepherding our kids as they’ve grown in their giftings and talents, teaching at The Daniel Academy and Forerunner Music Academy, and spending countless hours interceding in the Prayer Room. Our hearts have been stirred by many different causes and areas of injustice where we, the church, need to stand in the gap. One thing that’s always been a part of our spiritual DNA is revival. We (the Church) need revival! We believe that these last 4 years have been training for what’s coming next.
{The Mission} Earlier this year, John was approached by The Refuge, a Christian radio station based in Duluth, MN with translators in 5 states. Their mission is “…to encourage, connect and equip this generation to live in radical relationship with God and each other.” The Refuge is in the process of turning back to its roots of evangelism and revival.
The station has faced many challenges in the last several years, leaving them with virtually no staff or resources. Needless to say, they need a revival too!
{The Vision} John has been asked to come on as General Manager and help them carry out that mission, and we’ve decided to say “Yes.” The station essentially needs to be rebuilt from the ground up with a new vision, new technology and a new team. We feel that John’s background in radio and the work the Lord has done in us these past 4 years has been preparing us for this challenge.We’re part of a community here at IHOP where there are many talented young people with understanding of technology, passion for the Lord and hearts of prayer. We’ve made many connections that we can share with the listeners of The Refuge.
{The Challenge} The station is struggling financially and cannot pay John a full salary this first year. We will need to raise about $35,000 to help meet our needs. If you’d like to help, make your checks out to ‘Refuge Radio’ and write “management support” in the memo. Please send your gifts to us here at our Grandview, MO address. All gifts are tax-deductible.
John is staying on part-time staff at IHOP so he can honor his commitment to teach piano at FMA for the fall semester. He’ll be commuting several times a month from Kansas City to the Refuge’s business office in Edina, MN.
{The Commission} We really need your prayers and support right now. We and the radio station have already experienced a great deal of spiritual warfare since we made this decision. Please keep us in your prayers. Specific requests:
- Finances, for our family as well as The Refuge. Our goal is to raise the majority of the $35,000 we need within the next 3 months. We know there’s an element of risk in taking this position, but we’re leaning on His provision and faithfulness.
- Housing in the twin cities area.
- Wisdom for our transition as a family
- Strategies for managing The Refuge.
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