International House of Prayer

Last updated
International House of Prayer
International House of Prayer
International House of Prayer in Kansas City.jpg
The International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri
Location Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri
CountryUnited States
Denomination Non-denominational
Churchmanship Evangelical Charismatic
MembershipOver 2,000
Website www.ihopkc.org
History
FoundedMay 7, 1999 (1999-05-07)
Founder(s) Mike Bickle

The International House of Prayer, Kansas City (IHOPKC), is a Charismatic evangelical Christian movement and missions organization, based in Kansas City, Missouri, and the nearby suburb of Grandview, that focuses on the inerrancy of scripture, and biblical prayer with worship. [1]

Contents

It is best known for the Global Prayer Room, which has run continuously with live worship teams since September 19, 1999, and simultaneously broadcasts via its website and YouTube channel. Doctrinally, IHOPKC is evangelical and Charismatic, and affirms historic premillennialism. [2] IHOPKC places great importance on the practices of Bible study, prayer, worship, fasting, and works of justice. [3] [4] [5]

Overview

History

The International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC) was founded by Mike Bickle on May 7, 1999. The organization began in a small building off Grandview Road in Kansas City, Missouri, as a prayer room dedicated to worshiping Jesus night and day. Since that time, IHOPKC has grown and spread into several different locations throughout south Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri. As of November 2010, the church had over 1,000 staff and a student body of another 1,000 individuals. [6]

On September 14, 2010, the International House of Pancakes announced that it was suing the International House of Prayer for trademark dilution and infringement. [7] The lawsuit was dropped on December 21, 2010, with the dispute resolved out of court, [8] and the International House of Prayer began abbreviating itself as IHOPKC.

Prayer Format

IHOPKC is best known for its prayer meetings, based on its "harp and bowl" worship model, which have been held 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, since September 19, 1999. [9] These meetings, streamed live on the internet and through GOD TV, [10] alternate regularly between music and prayer in two-hour sets through all hours of the day and night. [11] The 24/7 meetings are held at IHOPKC's Global Prayer Room in Grandview.

Teaching

IHOPKC staff regularly teach on themes that include prayer, worship, the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, eschatology, and understanding God's spiritual purposes for Israel, along with spiritual gifts, nazirite consecration, and various other Charismatic themes. [6] [10]

IHOPKC has provided advice and financial support to the anti-trafficking organization Exodus Cry, listing it as a "related tax-exempt organization" on their 2018 tax filings. [12]

International House of Prayer University

The International House of Prayer University is an unaccredited Bible college with a campus at Grandview, Missouri. As of 2010, there were 1,000 full-time students enrolled. The educational process centers on prayer. [6]

In 2010 the school invested $6 million to renovate part of a strip mall in Grandview for use as a new campus. [13]

Controversies

Ernie Gruen controversy

In early 1990, 9 years before he founded IHOPKC, Mike Bickle – along with the church he then pastored, Kansas City Fellowship – was highly criticized by Kansas City pastor Ernie Gruen in sermons and a well-circulated 130-page document titled "Documentation of the Aberrant Practices and Teachings of Kansas City Fellowship". In the sermons and document, Gruen criticized Bickle's teachings on eschatology and documented alleged cases of manipulative uses of prophecy at the Kansas City Fellowship. In 1993 Gruen and Bickle released a joint statement declaring that the conflict was resolved. [14]

Trademark infringement

The International House of Prayer was one of the seven defendants named in a lawsuit filed in September 2010 by IHOP, the Glendale, California-based restaurant chain, alleging trademark dilution and infringement. [15] The restaurant dropped the lawsuit in December 2010, [7] [16] with the dispute settled out of court, [8] and the International House of Prayer began styling itself as IHOPKC.

Death of Bethany Deaton

On October 30, 2012, former IHOPKC intern Bethany Leidlein Deaton was found dead in an apparent suicide. [17] Days later, IHOPU student Micah Moore came forward to Grandview police, and was subsequently charged with Deaton's murder. [18] In statements to police, Moore stated that he was part of a religious group with Bethany and her husband, Tyler Deaton. [19] Moore also stated, while in custody, that Tyler Deaton had used his apparent influence over the group to initiate homosexual experiences with several male members of their social–religious circle, primarily with Moore himself. He explained that he and Deaton were involved in a sexual relationship, but justified it under “religious experiences”. [20] It was allegedly through the coercion of this relationship that Moore claimed that group leader (and IHOPU graduate) Deaton ordered his wife's murder, to prevent her from telling her therapist about sexual assaults from other men (Tyler excluded) within the group. [21] While IHOPKC materials and website listed Tyler Deaton as a division coordinator for IHOPKC friendship groups until five days after Bethany's death, IHOPKC officials said that Tyler's group was not connected to IHOPKC or known about by IHOPKC leadership. [22] [23] [24] Melanie Morgan, one of Moore's lawyers, said in early December 2012: "The facts suggest Bethany Deaton’s death was an unfortunate suicide and Micah Moore had nothing to do with that suicide." [25]

On October 31, 2014, the Jackson County, Missouri, prosecutor dismissed murder charges against Moore. [26]

God Loves Uganda documentary

The 2013 documentary film God Loves Uganda suggests that North American evangelicals in general, and IHOPKC specifically, were responsible for Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill. [27]

Mike Bickle controversy

On October 28, 2023, news broke that IHOPKC head pastor Mike Bickle faced allegations of sexual abuse from several women over a span of decades. [28] [29] [30] The next day, the International House of Prayer announced that Bickle had been placed on sabbatical from all public ministry, pending investigation. IHOPKC subsequently contracted with Stinson LLP to conduct the investigation. [31] [32] [33] Following a viral petition for IHOPKC to choose GRACE to lead the investigation, the church broke its contract with Stinson LLP and chose a local Kansas City law firm to lead the investigation. [34]

On December 10, 2023, IHOPKC announced that it had hired a new third-party firm that it said would be independent and impartial in its investigation of claims against Bickle. [35] IHOPKC also announced that it had hired Eric Volz, managing director of The David House Agency, to be its official spokesperson. Volz had made international headlines as a result of his wrongful imprisonment in 2006.

On December 22, 2023, IHOPKC announced that the internal investigation confirmed that Bickle had engaged in "inappropriate behavior" of a nature that required IHOPKC to "immediately, formally, and permanently" sever ties with him. [36]

On February 7, 2024, The Kansas City Star published a firsthand account of Mike Bickle's grooming and sexual abuse of Tammy Woods in the 1980s beginning when Woods was 14 years of age and Bickle was in his mid-20s. The article details Woods' experiences, reason for not reporting until 2024, corroborating testimony from Woods' family and a close friend, and Bickle's attempt to communicate with Woods after the initial allegations were made known in 2023. [37]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City, Kansas</span> Consolidated city-county in Kansas, United States

Kansas City is the third-most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas, and the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is an inner suburb of the older and more populous Kansas City, Missouri, after which it is named. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 156,607, making it one of four principal cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is situated at Kaw Point, the junction of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. It is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified Government". It is the location of the University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

IHOP may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bickle (minister)</span> American Evangelical Christian leader

Michael Leroy Bickle is an American evangelical leader who was the founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC). Once the leader of IHOPKC, Bickle oversaw several ministries and a Bible school. Bickle has written a number of books and served as the pastor of multiple churches.

The Apostolic-Prophetic movement is a US-based Christian movement founded in the early 2000s. It is a network of non-denominational alliances of independent churches and ministries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder of Kelsey Smith</span> 2007 murder of American woman

Kelsey Ann Smith was a woman from Overland Park, Kansas who disappeared on June 2, 2007, and was murdered that evening. The story was featured in the international media, including on America's Most Wanted, before her body was found near a lake in Missouri on June 6, 2007.

The Kansas City crime family, also known as the Civella crime family, the Kansas City Mafia or the Clique, is an Italian-American Mafia crime family based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Rick Roeber was an American politician and long-distance runner. He was expelled from the Missouri House of Representatives in April 2021, as a result of an investigation of allegations that he had physically, mentally, and sexually abused his own children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IHOP</span> American restaurant chain

IHOP Restaurants LLC is an American multinational pancake house restaurant chain that specializes in American breakfast foods. It is owned by Dine Brands—a company formed after IHOP's purchase of Applebee's, with 99% of the restaurants run by independent franchisees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Hubert Hart</span> American Roman Catholic prelate (1931–2023)

Joseph Hubert Hart was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne in Wyoming from 1978 to 2001 and as auxiliary bishop of the same diocese from 1976 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brady J. Deaton</span>

Brady J. Deaton, is an American educator and the former chancellor of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

The Onething conference was an annual Christian conference put on by the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC) every December at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, MO. The conference focused on prayer, evangelism, worship and Christian eschatology. In addition to theological instruction, the speakers often deliver inspirational messages on themes such as living a life without regrets. The sessions often include long periods of prayer for the United States, sometimes lasting until midnight. A particular emphasis is given to prayer for colleges and college students. The last conference was held during the last week of 2018, and the conference has been placed on indefinite hold for the near future.

Paul Cain was a Charismatic Christian minister involved with both neo-charismatic churches and the Charismatic Movement, and is named one of the Kansas City Prophets. Cain resided in California and ministered monthly at a local church in Santa Maria, California until his death.

The Pasadena International House of Prayer (PIHOP) is a prayer center in Pasadena, California. It is a branch of the charismatic movement and the mission organization International House of Prayer.

Justice House of Prayer (JHOP) is a neocharismatic Christian organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that focuses on continual prayer. It was founded by Lou Engle in 2004 and now has locations in five U.S. cities. They are in close association with the International House of Prayer-Kansas City and TheCall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport</span> Former airport in Missouri, U.S.A.

Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport is a former airport that operated alongside Richards-Gebaur Air Reserve Station until the base's closure in 1994, and until it was closed in 1999. Formerly, it was operated as Grandview Airport from 1941 until it was leased by the United States Army in 1944. In April 1957, the base was renamed in honor of Kansas City, Missouri-born aviators John Francisco Richards II and Arthur William Gebaur Jr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JHS Pedals</span> Guitar effects pedals manufacturer

JHS Pedals is a guitar effects pedals manufacturer with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cory Hunter Asbury is an American Christian musician, worship pastor, songwriter, and former member of the Bethel Music collective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Lee Vincke</span> Catholic bishop

Gerald Lee Vincke is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been serving as bishop for the Diocese of Salina in Kansas since 2018.

Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch was a reformatory boarding school located in Humansville, Missouri. The school opened in July 2006 and was closed in 2020 amid reports and lawsuits filed by former students alleging child abuse, as well as due to an investigation conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

References

  1. ↑ Bradley, Donald (July 26, 2009). "Entreaties never stop at the International House of Prayer". Kansas City Star. Kansas City, MO. pp. A1. Archived from the original on November 27, 2001. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Statement of Faith – About IHOPKC". International House of Prayer of Kansas City. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "About the International House of Prayer – About IHOPKC". International House of Prayer of Kansas City. Archived from the original on 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  4. ↑ "24/7 Works of Justice – About IHOPKC". International House of Prayer of Kansas City. Archived from the original on 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  5. ↑ "About – Exodus Cry". Exodus Cry. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  6. 1 2 3 Yoars, Marcus (1 November 2010). "We Won't Stop Praying". Charisma. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  7. 1 2 Lateef Mungin, September 16, 2010, CNN. Pancake house takes on prayer group Archived 2012-11-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 Glendale News–Press, December 29, 2010 Pancake versus prayer dropped Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "Where Worship Never Pauses". www.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  10. 1 2 "This IHOP serves generous portions of prayer". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. McClatchy-Tribune. 8 August 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  11. ↑ Gaines, Adrienne. "Ministry marks 20 years of nonstop prayer and worship". Charisma. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Hitt, Tarpley (2020-10-17). "The Shady Evangelical Group With Trump Ties Waging War on Pornhub". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  13. ↑ Wood, Andrea, 17 August 2010 http://www.jcadvocate.com/2010/08/ihop-university-opens-at-former.html Archived 2014-04-13 at the Wayback Machine Jackson County Advocate.
  14. ↑ "Ernie Gruen and Mike Bickle's Joint Statement from 1993". Press Center. 2018-01-26. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  15. ↑ "IHOP (the pancake-maker) sues IHOP (the prayer center) over trademark". Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "IHOP drops suit against church over use of IHOP acronym". LATimes. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  17. ↑ International House of Prayer distances itself from murder victim's husband, Tyler Deaton Archived 2013-06-06 at the Wayback Machine . kshb.com.
  18. ↑ Bethany Deaton Suicide Now Considered A Murder; Police Arrest Micah Moore Archived 2016-03-31 at the Wayback Machine . Huffington Post.
  19. ↑ Allegations: Religious ‘Sexual Community’ Leads to Woman’s Murder Archived 2013-05-08 at the Wayback Machine . WDAF TV – FOX 4. fox4kc.com.
  20. ↑ Michelle Garcia (20 November 2012). "Police say ex-gay leader of cult prayer group conspired to kill wife"". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  21. ↑ Secrets of Tyler Deaton's prayer group emerge Archived 2012-12-05 at the Wayback Machine . KansasCity.com.
  22. ↑ Prayer group leader whose wife was murdered has Texas roots Archived 2020-09-20 at the Wayback Machine . Houston Chronicle.
  23. ↑ Tyler Deaton’s role at the International House of Prayer becomes clearer Archived 2012-11-19 at the Wayback Machine . KansasCity.com.
  24. ↑ Regarding the Death of Bethany Deaton Archived 2013-05-19 at the Wayback Machine | International House of Prayer University.
  25. ↑ "Disputed Murder Confession Casts a Spotlight on a Missouri Sect". The New York Times. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  26. ↑ Webster, Betsy. "Prosecutors dismiss charges against man in cult murder case". KCTV5. Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  27. ↑ Montgomery, Peter (2014). "In Response To Uganda Documentary, IHOP Says It's 'Not Involved' in Politics | Right Wing Watch". rightwingwatch.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  28. ↑ Gibson, Carl (2023-10-30). "Far-right Evangelical leader accused of 'serious allegations spanning several decades". MSN.
  29. ↑ Thomas, Judy (28 October 2023). "International House of Prayer-Kansas City's founder faces allegations of misconduct" . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  30. ↑ Smietana, Bob (29 November 2023). "Mike Bickle, leader of IHOP movement, accused of sexual abuse". Religion News Service. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  31. ↑ Statement by the IHOPKC Leadership Team Regarding Allegations Against Mike Bickle (Speech). Kansas City, Missouri: International House of Prayer. November 13, 2023.
  32. ↑ Hopkins, Rebecca (6 November 2023). "International House of Prayer Announces Independent Investigation, But Victims & Advocates Remain Wary". The Roys Report. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  33. ↑ Martin, Stephanie (9 November 2023). "Church Members and Abuse Advocates Urge IHOPKC To 'Investigate With Integrity'". Church Leaders. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  34. ↑ Flener, Matt (10 November 2023). "International House of Prayer hires new law firm after calls for third-party investigation". KMBC News. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  35. ↑ Thomas, Judy (December 11, 2023). "IHOPKC says new firm will assure impartial investigation into sexual misconduct claims".
  36. ↑ Judy Thomas (December 23, 2023). "IHOPKC confirms 'inappropriate behavior,' announces permanent split with Bickle". The Kansas City Star .
  37. ↑ Judy Thomas (February 8, 2024). "Woman says IHOPKC founder groomed, sexually abused her when she was 14 in the 1980s". The Kansas City Star.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.