Responding to the Outpouring of the Spirit in Kansas City

On Wednesday November 11 in the afternoon I was doing some work on my computer and began to notice a number of tweets on Twitter that said that the Holy Spirit was moving powerfully at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I immediately replied, asking for further info.

That day a spontaneous gathering of people that began with a single class of students at IHOP university grew to over 2000 people and a Holy Spirit renewal began at IHOP-KC. That led to nightly meetings beginning the next evening, which are still continuing nearly a week later. These gatherings are being broadcast via web-stream each night.

I want to say that I am unashamedly on board with what the Holy Spirit is doing in Kansas City! I have encountered similar outpourings in Kelowna and Toronto. More recently there was a powerful move of the Spirit in Lakeland Florida only a couple of years ago.

I LOVE the renewal that the Holy Spirit brings to people. I love the manifest Presence of God among his people and how God touches them and brings healing and refreshing, spirit, soul and body!

How are we to respond to this current outpouring of God’s Spirit in Kansas City? Here are some thoughts:

• Thanksgiving: genuine gratitude and thankfulness to God for all that he is doing in this renewal.
• Hunger: throw aside the mental debates about whether God is wanting to do the same things in other places. Let’s respond by saying ‘thank you God; pour out your Spirit here as well!’
• Corporate Prayer and Worship: Allow God to stoke the fires of excitement in us and get inspired to respond in a wholehearted way. Get connected with other believers who are hungry and wanting more of the Holy Spirit. There are several opportunities to do this:
  • House of Prayer Edmonton: join the 24 hours of worship and prayer this weekend at the Marketplace Chapel in West Edmonton Mall
  • re:surgence: a weekend gathering of passionate believers here in Edmonton
  • The Pursuit: a weekend conference in Medicine Hat with the Global Prayer House

I LOVE watching the renewal on the web-stream. I love watching it with my kids and explaining to them a bit of what is happening. I love how my own heart gets even more excited about God and his Kingdom. I am so thrilled and thankful for what is happening in Kansas City. I am very happy for them and I am renewed in my own heart to cry out in worship and intercession for a move of the Holy Spirit here in Edmonton!

Update on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6:56AM by Jim Hall

The decision has been made to bring the renewal meetings to a close on Saturday, November 21. At this point I am not aware of all the reasons for this decision, but my own sense is that it is the right decision.

One of the biggest temptations in a renewal season is to do everything you can to keep it going. While that might sound silly because after all, how can man keep a renewal going, it has happened more than once. 

It takes strong and wise leaders to discern that it is time to bring renewal meetings to a close, rather than artificially trying to keep things going.

There are archived videos of the renewal meetings that you can watch on-line. 

Update on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 2:59PM by Jim Hall

Okay, here is another confusing update:

Billy Humphrey, who heads up the Atlanta House of Prayer, wrote an update on Facebook saying:

Sitting in a leadership mtg in KC. They just announced the renewal mtgs are going to continue for at least 6 more weeks.

This is contrary to what was posted on the IHOP website, saying that the meetings would continue until Saturday, Nov. 21. Here is what the website says:

we are holding extended meetings from 6:00pm – midnight (CST) [0000–0600 GMT] until Saturday night, November 21.

I think I may have misunderstood the phrase 'until Saturday night...' 

Or the leadership may have changed their minds. I will continue to investigate and post what I discover!