Throughout its history, IPHC has placed a high priority on prayer. A major goal of the 1980’s and 1990’s theme of Target 2000 was that every member would commit to “Take Twenty” minutes daily in prayer for global evangelism.
The current ARISE IN PRAYER focus of the IPHC is built on the efforts of numerous people in the 1980s. In 1983, as Executive Director of World Missions Ministries, the late Bishop B.E. Underwood helped develop World Intercession Network (WIN) as a prayer tool for global evangelism. It spread to the USA as WIN’s goal was “to mobilize the church around the world to accept the challenge of intercession for the global harvest” (Tunstall 404) by promoting prayer throughout the conferences. Underwood recruited outstanding prayer warriors like June Carter Canavesio, Barbara and Bane James, and Thelma McDowell to spearhead this growing ministry. When he became General Superintendent in 1989, Underwood made intercessory prayer a ministry of the General Superintendent’s Office where it remains today.
Following 2005 the prayer ministry was led by Rev. Terry Fowler and later Dr. Lou Shirey. Through the efforts of the people named in the previous two paragraphs, IPHC became active in numerous national and international prayer initiatives, including the National Day of Prayer held annually in Washington, D.C.
In 2018, Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham desired to see the prayer emphasis expand into local congregations. This was expressed to the Executive Committee, and Bishop Garry Bryant (Executive Director, EVUSA) drafted a proposal that eventually became the prayer movement we know today as ARISE IN PRAYER.
It was during the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America’s (PCCNA) 50th Celebration that Bishop Bryant first heard national prayer leader Dr. Doug Small speak; Small was electrifying in his communication, resonating in his passion, and calling for the church to fall to its knees in prayer. Bishop Bryant prayed for a meeting, and during breakfast one morning, he was able to speak with Dr. Small that started the “wheels turning.”
Before things could really progress, the pandemic hit, and everything came to a grinding halt. This worldwide phenomenon brought up a deep concern: how can we continue to serve the nation, churches, and ourselves in Christ throughout this troubling time? This led Bishop Bryant to email 10 men with the simple request to meet (virtually) and pray. They did, and 3 years later, they continue to meet.
This time of prayer led to the overall development of ARISE IN PRAYER. Of the original 10, Bishop Beacham, Bishop Bryant, Bishop Ray Boggs, Bishop Manuel Pate, Rev. Randy Hill, and the late Bishop Dayton Birt, with Dr. Small consulting, created the Lead Team for ARISE IN PRAYER with the purpose of focusing IPHC prayer initiatives on developing “houses of prayer for all nations” (Matthew 21:13).
Attendees at the Oklahoma City Regional Prayer Gathering in May 2023
From 2021- July 2022, Dr. Small taught and developed a coaching community whose goals align with that of Arise 2033. Arise 2033 challenges the denomination to “arise” and meet the call to reach America and the world for Jesus Christ. Through Regional Prayer Summits, COB Prayer Summits, and eventually Conference Prayer Summits, a new approach to prayer is being shared throughout the denomination. This approach includes transformational prayer, praying over an open bible, and 3 foundational milestones of becoming a house of prayer which includes 1) pastors/leaders who pray, 2) restoring the family alter, and 3) congregational prayer meetings.
Dr. Doug Small presenting at the Regional Prayer Gathering in Oklahoma City
The vision and implementation of ARISE IN PRAYER is ahead of schedule with half of the USA conferences participating in less than 2 years. By building a strong USA foundation, ARISE IN PRAYER plans to expand internationally and cross-culturally. By the end of this year, there will have been two Spanish-speaking Prayer Summits and three Regional Prayer Gatherings completed. The first regional prayer gathering occurred in Oklahoma City on May 22-24, with the next September 18-20 in Falcon, North Carolina, and the final November 13-15 at World Agape Mission Church in Los Angeles, California. Information on registration for future regional prayer gatherings can be found here.
Bishop Bryant shared, “this is a challenge given biblically which is very attractive, and people are drawn to that, which isn’t the norm. People are finding it’s a call from heaven and anthemed all over the globe.” He also believes that Heaven recognizes that Earth needs to meet this expectation; there is a loud, desperate, end-of-the-day call to rally to become a house of prayer, and we need to answer.
ARISE IN PRAYER endeavors to meet this call by assisting local churches in becoming a house of prayer for all nations by helping people seek the face of God, His kingdom and righteousness, His will, and ultimately, a personal transformation. Through this, the Arise 2033 goals can be achieved through a healthy revival of prayer within our culture.
In 2023, Bishop Beacham appointed Rev. Garryt Bryant in the General Superintendent’s Office to coordinate the developing ARISE IN PRAYER emphases across the denomination. Garryt is involved in the Prayer Commission of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America.
Further information on ARISE IN PRAYER can be found here.
Further information on Arise 2033 can be found here.
Further information on WIN can be found here.
Further information on the history of the IPHC World Missions can be found in the text below:
Tunstall, Frank G. The Simultaneous Principle: The History of IPHC World Missions the First 100 Years. Franklin Springs, LSR Publications, 2005.
