Monday Night at IHOP

I have been a supporter and participant in the Ministry Todd Beery has had for 10 years.  He has been a major molder of my life and Christian growth. He still is.  I owe him much.

 

His "House" is the IHOP in Bolingbrook.  International House of Prayer.  Ark Ministries.  What is so wonderful is to see it as it came together.

 

There have been ups and downs but it just grows, prospers and develops mature disciples like a nonstopping disciple making machine.  MANY ministers have emerged from this work to go off on their own.

 

Last Monday night was exceptional at IHOP.  Not because of the events at Virginia Tech but because Monday Nights are one of the Two Main "Services" held at IHOP.  There is something every night (but Sunday) but Mondays and Fridays are the Big Nights.  I try to make Friday every week and as many Monday's as I can.  It's always good.

 

The house seats exactly 120 people; the number in the Upper Room at Pentecost.  When it's full it feels like Pentecost.  When it's half full it still feels like Pentecost.  When its just a few it still does. 

 

But Monday night was near full.  Wonderful problem.  We need a bigger building.

 

The worship was great.  There was a band that played from 6-7:30. Preaching went till 8:45 and ministry time till 9.  Monday nights are short nights.  Only 3 hours.  But last Monday night was different.  The service was over.  People didn't want to go home.  Todd sort of intimated that's all folks.  People stayed.  The music picked back up. Second Band.  People prayed, danced, worshipped, and basked.  No one wanted to go home.  About Quarter to 10 things thinned out. 

 

The sign of a great service is when no one wants to leave.  I have been the last one out the door more than once in Churches.

 

One last tidbit.  They have a band that plays the first 90 minutes.  Then after the service a second band that plays an hour or so.  This band is as good as the first.

 

What struck me was there was a drummer, 2 guitars, keyboard and 2 singers.  All young people.  I did a little calculation and the whole total age of the Band was under 100 years old.  One other little thing.  All of them learned to play the instruments they were playing AT the house of prayer.  Todd Dowling, the music guy meets with the band every Tuesday night for 3 hours and teaches them to play and sing.  Even if you couldn't play he will teach you.  That's building and discipling a music team from scratch.

 

And they're cumulatively under 100 years old for 6 band members.

 

Heck, my wife and I are over 100 years old total. 

 

And we don't play nearly as well.

 

It's fun to be part of something great.

 

IHOP.