The Changing Nature and Expression of Christianity

During the summer of 1982, the Holy Spirit encountered Mike Bickle in a hotel room in Cairo, Egypt. Mike, who is now the Director of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, heard the thunderous voice of the Lord declare these words: “Young man, I am going to change the nature and expression of Christianity in the entire earth in one generation.” The words resonated through Mike’s entire being, driving him physically to the floor in the fear of the Lord. That encounter has been a seminal moment in Mike’s life, a plumb-line that has helped form his priorities and direction since that time.

The implications of that message cause a trembling in our hearts even today, as I believe that we are seeing the beginnings of that transformation. Even as we witness the soaring trajectories of various successful institutional ministries, and appreciate the impact they are having in the lives of many, there is nevertheless a growing longing in the hearts of many of God’s people to see something different, something that seems more central to the heart of the Father.

When I talk with various individuals in the Body of Christ and mention this undercurrent of longing, the response that comes most often is this: “We just want to worship God. We want to be in the Presence of the Lord in such a way that nothing else matters.” This longing, this stirring in the hearts of believers across the nation feels like the beginnings of an earthquake, a deep rumbling, a yearning in the Spirit for God’s Presence to be manifest among His people.

I believe that the Spirit of God is behind all of this. I believe that He is stirring it up, more and more deeply, in more and more places than ever before. As God’s people, we want to be with Him, to touch Him and feel His touch upon our hearts. We want to know that His Presence, so powerfully spoken of in His Word, is with us as well, in the same unhindered ways that we read about in the testimonies of others.

Why not here? Why not now? Could we really give ourselves to this, and just bypass all the trappings of business-as-usual Church? Is it possible that we really could forgive and forget the past, the difficulties we’ve all had with others (and have caused for others!) in the institution, and simply come together to worship and delight in the Presence of God?

I think – and maybe even believe – that God is doing just that. Perhaps the longing that is arising is actually His deep center calling out to the deep places in our hearts, wooing and drawing, inviting us home to His own heart. If it is indeed Jesus out there on the water, tell me to come! I’ll leave whatever it is I’m doing and jump in with Him!

The question some will ask is: what good will this be? What will come of it? And the answer – I believe – is: Everything!