They Met God, Formed an Army, and Launched a Movement of Power
God stirred the hearts of more than 500 dads to take time from their jobs and gather for a five-day conference, where the group molded into an army of men, committed to walking in the power of God’s truth in order to build cities of light across the nation. As a result of this conference, lives, marriages, families, and ministries are now being transformed.
We thought that perhaps a few hundred dads would respond to the invitation to meet at the Indianapolis Training Center from January 31 to February 4, 2007. I was planning on sharing with them the results of my annual January time with the Lord.
During that month in the Northwoods of Michigan, God directed me to study the history of the House of God, beginning in Genesis with Bethel and concluding with the present-day Church. Marvelous Biblical truths were revealed that seem either overlooked or forgotten in our day. Thus, we do not have the power that God intends for His “house of prayer for all people.” (See Matthew 21:13)
From this study, God allowed a significant book to be written, and then He actually confirmed the truth of His Word by what happened at the Dads’ Conference.
A father from Texas wrote, “The presence of God was so strong and the Holy Spirit so present that I felt like I wept for four days. I am eager to see what all this will do for my family.”
They Discovered the Music That Pleases the Heart of God
The secret of the kind of singing that God requires for His House has impacted these men for life.
God requires us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. (See Mark 12:30.) Our singing, therefore, must be with all of our hearts (no competing affections), all of our souls (lifting up our minds, wills, and emotions to God), all of our minds (singing with our spirits and our understanding), and all of our strength. This will be a mighty sound, as in Psalm 98:4: “… Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
When the men sang wholeheartedly in one accord, a joy filled the room which caused the entire group to break out in clapping, cheering, and shouting praises to God. It was a glorious time of true worship and triumphant resolve.
A father from Michigan wrote, “Singing with 600 men with one spirit to the Lord is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. It was like a prelude of the time when we will be singing in heaven to our Savior.” Even after the conference his heart sang for joy. “I was driving at 2:30 A.M. singing ‘More Love to Thee’ with tears flowing down my cheeks and realizing how much my Savior loves me.”
We discovered the power of God’s Spirit in personal victory, supernatural healings, and triumphant singing as we came together in “one accord,” just as believers did in the early Church.
Transformed Lives
Men who had received victory over lust and destructive habits openly shared their testimonies and then separated into small prayer groups with a marvelous spirit of brokenness and oneness. One father wrote: “I felt like I was entering into the hearts of those I was praying for and with. Their needs became my needs and mine became theirs.
“We poured out our hearts for each other—our chairs were watered with tears for our brothers in Christ. We were one in spirit and I arose from these times with greater love for my wife and children than I have ever known before.”
Gratefulness for a “New” Dad
The transformations that took place at the Dads’ Conference are reflected in this testimony.
“My dad returned from the fathers’ conference changed. I had not realized how discouraged he had become over the past couple of years, but now I have my daddy back, and I’m so grateful.
“He returned to his first love, Jesus Christ, at the conference, and it has changed the entire atmosphere of our home. I am not kidding. There are seven people here who benefitted—a lot!”
—A daughter from Wyoming
Upcoming Conference
This Dads’ Conference was beyond what we ever imagined, and I would like every father to experience it. We have scheduled another conference for April 11-15; however due to limited space, only the first 600 men who register will be accepted. For information visit ati.iblp.org.
February 2007