There’s a new spiritual movement taking place in Kansas City. It’s called IHOP, nope, not Pancakes, but Prayer. It’s lead by a guy named Mike Bickle and it’s purpose is to pray non-stop to hasten the return of Christ. Here’s an interesting article about the religion (referred to as a cult by many)
http://www.centredaily.com/living/v-print/story/1426406.html
It’ s quite lengthy, so I copied and pasted some of the most interesting parts:
So they’ve come here for the last 10 years, by the hundreds - thousands - for what perhaps is Kansas City’s biggest religious phenomenon in a century.
They’ve come to an old renovated strip mall on Red Bridge Road.
To answer the call of a leader named Mike Bickle, who says a purpose of their worship is to hasten the Second Coming.
But 24/7/365?
Read Luke 18:7.
“Will not God bring about justice for his elect who cry to him day and night?”
Bickle says he’s heard God’s voice. And that he’s been to heaven. Twice.
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His brand of Christianity relies heavily on the Book of Revelation and a sense of urgency that the Rapture is near.
When Jesus returns to make war against his enemies and marches into Jerusalem, Bickle preaches, “untold millions will die in the wake of his righteous, loving judgments.”
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People want to know: What in God’s name is going on in there?
So IHOP is a place of perpetual worship, with continuous two-hour sets of rock band praise music and prayer, which the Web site calls “heroically keeping the fire upon the altar.”
“Get 24/7 access to the prayer room for as little as $10 a month,” offers the Web site.
It also is a Bible school - IHOPU - at which students pay $1,500 a semester to earn two- and four-year certificates.
The Forerunner Ministry curriculum focuses on the End Times. The school is not accredited; meaning credits are not transferable to regular colleges.
But Tim Dodd, who came to IHOP from Colorado and earned a four-year certificate, has no regrets.
“It’s not about me. I was called by the Lord,” said Dodd, who wants to start a car-detailing business here.
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The center seeks to mold a million youngsters so they can lead the next generation.
Bickle has written extensively on fasting as a regular discipline of Christianity. Fasting two days a week comes just after daily prayer on the list of “forerunner” commitments on the Web site.
Earlier this year, Jackson County prosecutors charged a couple with second-degree murder after their 4-month-old son died of starvation. The couple, Nicholas and Rebecca Candler, maintained a blog that promoted their religious beliefs and their involvement in IHOP.
IHOP’s first comment on the case came last week, when Cooper said: “The Candlers were never on staff at IHOP-KC, although they did attend the Introduction to IHOP-KC class.” That was the only connection, he said.
And the IHOP Web site is clear that children should never fast.
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Troyer said she has heard the “cult” talk.
“My parents supported me coming here. They thought it was great and have come to visit. They helped me buy a house here.”
She paused and looked away.
“Some parents didn’t want their kids to come ... thought the place was weird, like Jonestown or something.
“It’s nothing like that. I know this is where I’m supposed to be. I think maybe 0.5 percent of Christians are called to this. And God called me.”
Her world, Troyer says, is the real world. She doesn’t live in a vacuum. She knows all about child soldiers in Third World countries, modern slavery and human trafficking.
“That is why I pray.”
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About that time, a pickup pulling a large stock trailer roared up the street. It was a family from Minnesota. Husband, wife, two young boys.
They were moving here to be part of IHOP.
When the truck backed up the trailer to the house, neighbors - other IHOP families - helped the family unload. They all hugged.
Standing in his new yard, Steve Iliff said it was a big decision to pack up the family and move. But seeing the welcome they received, he had no doubts that he had done the right thing.
“There’s so much prayer here ... good things are bound to happen.”
A few blocks away in the prayer center, as always, arms reached to heaven.
Singers sang.
And the band played on.
Here’s a link to the groups website with video
Oh, THAT Jerusalem. Are pancakes kosher? IHOP indeed.
