Hello, everyone! You have either randomly found this blog while stalking my Facebook or I told you to read it for updates on what I am doing at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri OR you just randomly found it on blogger.
A few days ago (August 18th) we had our first day of orientation at IHOP University. It was a delightful day, especially late in the evening when all the incoming students gathered together for a time of worship and testimonies—setting our hearts in the right place before beginning the year.
A man came up to me at one point and began to speak prophetically while praying—right away he said, “The LORD is going to take you on a journey, and you’re going to write. You’re going to write your journey while you’re here. Just write. You’re a writer… You’re called to share God’s heart with others.” And he went on and on for a few minutes, but he kept coming back to writing. I was moved to tears because I have been at a point lately where I’ve been discouraged about writing this blog—it’s time consuming, but I know it’s something I’m being called to do. His words really affirmed this and I’m eager to share. Please be patient with me as I sort through my schedule—updates will be sporadic at first. Be on the lookout for them and let me know if you’d like to be personally notified/tagged when I post an update!
A man came up to me at one point and began to speak prophetically while praying—right away he said, “The LORD is going to take you on a journey, and you’re going to write. You’re going to write your journey while you’re here. Just write. You’re a writer… You’re called to share God’s heart with others.” And he went on and on for a few minutes, but he kept coming back to writing. I was moved to tears because I have been at a point lately where I’ve been discouraged about writing this blog—it’s time consuming, but I know it’s something I’m being called to do. His words really affirmed this and I’m eager to share. Please be patient with me as I sort through my schedule—updates will be sporadic at first. Be on the lookout for them and let me know if you’d like to be personally notified/tagged when I post an update!
Have a blessed day; I hope this is able to minister to you somehow!
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Less than a week ago I finally did it. On Sunday, August 14th I got in my car (packed full of my books, art supplies, clothes and a plethora of other things) and made the eight-hour trek to Kansas City, Missouri. For the next few years I will be a student at the International House of Prayer University (IHOPU) studying “Apostolic Prayer and Preaching” (I just call it ministry) at the Forerunner School of Ministry (one of the three schools within IHOPU). For those of you unfamiliar with IHOP, it’s a Christian missions organization based out of Kansas City, Missouri. IHOP is (according to their information page on the massive website) “… committed to praying for the release of the fullness of God’s power and purpose, as we actively win the lost, heal the sick, feed the poor, make disciples, and impact the seven spheres of society—family, education, government, economy, arts, media, and religion. Our vision is to work in relationship with the larger Body of Christ to serve the Great Commission, as we seek to walk out the two great commandments to love God and people.” (http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000036203)
IHOP is dedicated to prayer, fasting and consecrating (setting oneself apart) to the LORD. Their central focus is the Prayer Room—a place where 24/7 worship and prayers have continued nonstop for the past ten years. Dozens of worship bands rotate through twelve, two-hour sessions each day around the clock; people come from all over the world at every hour of the day to pray in an area that is truly set apart for God. So, that’s a bit more about IHOP—click the link above to learn even more!
At this time I have absolutely no idea where I want to go in ministry, but I am absolutely certain God is calling me to study it for a while. I would be content working at a desk for a ministry, or preaching, or being a pastor’s wife, or simply sitting in the Prayer Room seeking God.
Anyway, my moving to a different state to attend college may seem fairly normal—lots of young people nowadays go to other states for college, but I can assure you that my journey through higher education thus far has been anything but ordinary. No mold exists for what I’ve gone through and how I have developed in the last two and a half years. What happened back then? That’s when my journey really seemed to begin. That is when I first went to IHOP and felt my life shift—I didn’t know how much it would impact me at the time, but I see it clearly now.
Over this next year I’m hoping to post many updates about everything that happens while I am at IHOPU. I know I’m going to amass a huge collection of stories, and I promised people that I would keep them updated via Facebook. Perhaps I’ll get a blog sometime, but for now Facebook will do. I’m hoping to update semi-regularly, like maybe one or two each month. To begin I’ll share what has happened since that first trip during the spring break of my junior year.
Over this next year I’m hoping to post many updates about everything that happens while I am at IHOPU. I know I’m going to amass a huge collection of stories, and I promised people that I would keep them updated via Facebook. Perhaps I’ll get a blog sometime, but for now Facebook will do. I’m hoping to update semi-regularly, like maybe one or two each month. To begin I’ll share what has happened since that first trip during the spring break of my junior year.
Let me also say that these entries are primarily for myself, but if other people are touched by them, fantastic! I do not write primarily for posterity. I do not write to brag about what God has done in my life. I do not write to dote on this specific ministry. I only really write because it helps me remember. Writing has always helped me collect my thoughts and make them clear and cohesive. So, that’s where we’re going with this.
Again, this is merely an introduction. The next post will detail some of the previous experiences I’ve had with IHOP and my journey here.
Please let me know how I can be in prayer for you while I am here, and also let me know if you would like to be notified when I update about IHOPU.
Please let me know how I can be in prayer for you while I am here, and also let me know if you would like to be notified when I update about IHOPU.
Be blessed!
Rachel Korhonen
(Originally posted September 7th on Tumblr)
(Originally posted September 7th on Tumblr)
