Author Archives: Miss Jody

Our Mission

 R2HOP exists to passionately engage believers in perpetual worship and intercession as described by King David—to foster intimacy, to agree with God as it touches the Rock River Valley and beyond, and to announce the fast approaching final hour of natural history.

 God continues to set in motion His manifold plans for the end of the age. One piece of that plan is the restoration of the tabernacle of David which will trigger a great seeking among the lost (Acts 15:15-17) – an end time harvest of enormous proportion.  Restoring the Davidic experience of intercessory worship—his understanding of the House of Prayer (HOP), is one part of the restoration of that tabernacle of David.

 David erected a tent to house the Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam 6:17) that he brought from Kiriath-jearim.  For many years the sacrificial system had continued in Israel without the ark.  But David understood that the ark was the place of God’s presence.  He appointed 288 prophetic singers and 4,000 musicians to worship and minister to the Lord continually in Jerusalem under Asaph’s direction  (1 Chr 16:37; 23:5,30; 25:1,7). 

 In Psalm 27:4, David makes this declaration.   “⁴ One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to meditate in His temple.”  Out of his extraordinary experience with God, David saw God in at least three dimensions that would be significant for all generations that followed him.  He saw God  as the one who longs for intimacy (Ps 27:4—bridal paradignm), the God who is king (Ps 2) and the God who is judge (Ps 7).  These three themes are interconnected and resound throughout all of the scriptures.  The House of Prayer through intercessory worship seeks to re-energize the church in each of these spheres in preparation for the Lord’s return.

 The House of Prayer encourages the cultivation of a number of attributes.  Four are emphasized more regularly because of their weak presence in the body today, but all the attributes or heart standards that are given here are part of the value proposition for the House of Prayer.

 The name IHOP was chosen in Kansas because it represented the four ’short supply’ attributes.  “I” for Intercession is the literal night and day pursuit of God in prayer and worship that undergirds the ministry.  “H” for Holiness of heart, or passion for Jesus, is the cry of the Bride who seeks to be wholly devoted to the bridegroom (first commandment saints).  “O” for extravagant offering is God’s heart for the poor of the earth.  God cares greatly about them and desires to meet their needs: both the spiritual and natural ones.  “P” for embracing the prophetic or the daily operation of the Spirit is God’s heart for moving forward.  This includes the full range of Holy Spirit activities: guiding, leading, convicting, gifting, teaching, creating fruit and sustaining the people of God etc. 

 Key biblical applications given below contribute to a growing understanding of God’s purposes behind the 24/7 House of Prayer. Taken together, they provide the DNA for this ministry.   (The order of presentation here does not imply any order of importance.) 

 Heart Standards

 Bridal paradigm—Intimacy

Song 8:5-7 “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?  Beneath the apple tree I awakened you.  There your mother was in labor with you.  There she was in labor and gave you birth.  Put me like a seal over your heart,         like a seal on your arm.  For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol.  Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.  Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it.  If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.”

 Our bridegroom God intensely loves us even in our weakness and brokenness.  And He is not waiting for us to mature before He expresses this great love.  This knowledge and experience of God’s strong love for the bride causes his people to fall desperately in love with Jesus and opens our hearts to a dedicated pursuit of intimacy with Him.  Love will ultimately move us far beyond the place where ordinary discipline will take us.

 Our Hearts—Intimacy

We have fallen desperately in love with Jesus. The revelation of His intense, fiery desire toward us (Songs 8:5-7) has captured us. His love for the weak, immature and broken believers has  fascinated us and propelled our hearts into passionate and intimate pursuit (Ps 27:4).  Lovers will always out do doers!

 Sure mercies of David—Intimacy

Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear and come to Me.  Listen, that you may live.  And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David.”  David failed in many areas of life, but God treated him with kindness and mercy.  This has always been God’s promise in Jesus, but is graphically demonstrated for us in the life of David.  And David has become a sign or witness to us.

 Enjoyable prayer—Intimacy

Isaiah 56:7 “Even those I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar.  For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” God intends to give those who come to the house of prayer joy!  It won’t be a work of drudgery.  Instead, intercession mixed with worship will sustain itself and be enjoyable.

 Hot pursuit—Intimacy

Jude 1:3 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”  Salvation is a free gift, but relationship takes pursuit!  It is not the simple result of salvation.  Many of the benefits of the kingdom grow out of relationship.  And to enter into these relational promises we must earnestly contend for all that God would give.

 Cultivate Oil—Intimacy

The attendants in the bridal party who had oil were able to wait for the long delayed arrival of the bridegroom.  They were able to enter in (Mt 25:1-12).  The oil of God can not be gained from some other source.  It must be personally cultivated.

 Agreement With God—Kingdom

When we agree with who God is, we call this worship and when we agree with God’s purposes, we call this intercession. We proclaim both in song and prayer (1 Chr 16:23-25).

 The Kingdom on Earth—Kingdom

The Lord taught the disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10)”, Rev 5:10.  God intends to have two kingdoms: a heavenly one and an earthly one. The resurrection bodies that we receive will allow us to operate in both realms (Rev 5:10; Eph 2:6)

 Corporate Dimension—Kingdom

Personal intercession is not the only prayer  God seeks.  He is waiting for the corporate expression of our cry to Him as well (Is 30:18-19; Joel 2:15-17).

 Night and Day—Kingdom

Praying without ceasing is much more than having a continual spirit of prayer (1 Thes 5:17) which is certainly good.  It is about a community of believers that manage their lifestyles so that they can engage in 24/7 prayer asking for a habitation of God (Ps 132:1-5).

 Resolute of heart—Kingdom

Matthew 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”  Advancing the kingdom takes force or a resolute heart and men of resolute heart will advance the kingdom.  It is not a matter of knowledge or skill, but passion for Jesus.

 No standing still—Kingdom

Mark 4:25 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”  To those who hotly pursue God, more grace will be given.  To those who stop or begin to move away from God, even what they have, they will lose.

 Fasted lifestyle—Kingdom

Daniel 9:3 “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”  Daniel recognized the prophetic time he was in.  He understood Jeremiah’s prophecy.  He knew about Cyrus, and set his heart to seek the Lord with prayer and fasting.  It is an appropriate time to seek the Lord with fasting.  Such a lifestyle will help us to more quickly connect with God’s plans for the times and consequently a fasted lifestyle should be pursued.

 Fullness—Kingdom

Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”  God intends to give the bride more than can be imagined and our desire is to receive all that God wants to give in the coming colossal end time move: intimacy, revelation, signs & wonders, unity, fellowship, love and much more. 

 Voluntary weakness—Kingdom

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

What God is looking for is voluntary weakness.  When we expend ourselves and choose the lifestyle and behaviors of the Kingdom that outwardly look foolish and wasteful to the world, we will know God’s power.  When we pour out our lives for God, He will pour out His power.  Voluntary acts of weakness include, but are not limited to, fasting, prayer, worship, study, giving and other kingdom activities that require a measure of sacrifice.  God is going to release outstanding power through his servants in the last days.  But He does not wish to see His children corrupted by His powerful gift.  Consequently, He has determined to release His power in the context of our weakness and our love sick devotion to Jesus. 

 Not offended by Christ—Kingdom

Jesus told His listeners to not take offense at His actions and style (Mt 11:6).  The coming pressure of the last days may offend many believers who do not see Jesus in all His attributes.  They have cultivated a limited Jesus after their own tastes and interests rather than the bridegroom, king and judge that scripture provides.

 Forerunners—Kingdom

John the Baptist was called a forerunner (Luke 1:17).  And the HOP has a similar purpose—announcing, in this case, the fast approaching return of Jesus and the end of natural history as we know it.

 Israel—Kingdom

He has placed watchman on the walls (intercessors) who will cry out day and night until God makes Jerusalem a “praise” in all the earth (Isa 62:1-2).  Israel has not dropped from God’s heart.   The church has not replaced Israel.  One of the great mysteries in the Bible is God’s intention to make one new man from Jew and Gentile (Eph 2:15).  The groundwork was completed at the cross.  And our ability to stand with Israel in their coming trials will be vital to God’s purposes.   This promise of joining Jew and Gentile can’t be fulfilled if all Israel is destroyed as Satan would like to do, or if the church is suddenly absent at the most pivotal point of Israel’s history.

 Joel 2 people—Sound the Trumpet—Judge

Joel 2:12-18 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.”  Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.  Who knows whether He will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, even a grain offering and a drink offering, For the Lord your God?  Blow a trumpet in Zion.  Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly.  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation.  Assemble the elders.  Gather the children and the nursing infants.  Let the bridegroom come out of his room and the bride out of her bridal chamber.   Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare Your people, Lord, and do not make Your inheritance a reproach, a byword among the nations.  Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’ “  Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people.”

Business as usual Christianity will not survive.  Joel 2 is a cry to forsake this pattern of regular religious activity, repent and intercede for the hour that is coming upon the church and the world. 

 A Terrible day…Judge

 Joel 2:11   ¹¹ And the LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome (terrible), And who can endure it?

A day of judgment is on its way, but there is still time to cry out for mercy.  God may well provide pockets of mercy as He did in the time of Joseph (Gen 41:57).  It will be terrible because of the rage of Satan (Rev 13:5-7):, the travail of the physical earth (Rom 8:18-21), the ripening of the sin of men (Dan 8:23) as well as the judgments of God in the land.

 A Great day…judge

It will also be a great day of salvation and deliverance as men cry out to God in their distress and wonder.  All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32).  Both the ‘great’ and the ‘terrible’ will function at the same time.

 Coming hardship—Judge

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.  For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

The church will be present for much of the hardships that will come on the world prior to Christ’s return and there is a need to prepare.  This preparation is primarily spiritual and involves recapturing the intimacy, power and revelation that God intended, and it is partly physical.  As God used Joseph to preserve Israel and much of the world in his day, so God will use the church in a similar way to call forth ‘pockets of refuge’.

 The attributes listed above are not exhaustive, but reflect locus of thoughts growing out of the HOP movement.  As the movement matures there will be better ways to express the reality and lifestyle associated with the HOP.  This document will grow.

 History

 In the early 1980’s God supernaturally began to build the Kansas city House of Prayer which has become a model not only in the Rock River area, but throughout the Midwest and beyond.  God gave Mike Bickle 5 promises as the House of Prayer began to unfold.  By extension, these will also affect the Rock River House of Prayer to one degree or another.

 The Lord was going to lead Mike in many of the ways that He led King David.  His life would mirror in many ways the life of David. 

1. God was going to give him a revelation of divine gentleness (Ps 18:35).  God was going to treat him with unusual gentleness and God expected him to treat all people in a similar fashion – even those that sinned against him.
2. God promised to give him an abundance of dreams, heavenly experiences and angelic encounters etc.  And He promised it as well to those whom God brought around Mike.
3. God was going to make the Word of God the primary pillar of all that Mike did.  The Lord insisted on it.  And He promised to awaken in Mike a great love for the Word.
4. And lastly, God warned him that he would have much opposition.  When one battle was done, another would be on the way.  The source of struggle would be from unbelievers and believers alike.

 Peter wrote, “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”  God has built a prophetic foundation around the House of Prayer in Kansas and we will continue to collect and carefully consider the biblical applications God has highlighted.

WE BELIEVE that only the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, and therefore inerrant, Word of God. It is the final authority for all we believe and how we are to live. Matt 5:18; Jn 10:35; 17:17; 2Tim3:16—17; 2 Pet 1:20-21.

 WE BELIEVE that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of His name. Ps 104; 139; Matt 10:29-31; 28:19; Ac 17:24-28; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Col 1:16-17 Heb 1:1-3; Rev 1:4-6.

 WE BELIEVE that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. Matt 12:25-29; 25:41; Jn 1231; 16:11; Eph 6:10-20; Col 2:15; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6; Rev 12:7-9; 20:10.

 WE BELIEVE that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. In consequence of his disobedience Adam’s posterity are born subject to both imputed and inherent sin, and are therefore by nature and choice the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance with God. Gen 1-3; Ps 51:5; Is 53:5; Rom 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Eph 2:1-3.

 WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is God incarnate fully God and fully man, that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a penal, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His cross He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints. Matt 1:18-25; Jn 1:1-18; Rom 8:34; 1 Cor 15:1-28; 2 Cor 5:21 Gal 3:10-14; Eph 1:7; Phil 2:6-11; Col 1:15-23; Heb 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Pet 2:21-25; 1 Jn 2:1-2.

 WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. Jn 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Ac 16:30-31; Rom 3-4; 8:1-17,31-39; 10:8-10; Eph 2:8-10; Phil 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7 1 Jn 1:7,9.

 WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom also we are sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates forever indwells and graciously equips the Christian for godly living and service. Subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness.

 We also believe that signs and wonders as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. Matt 3:11; Jn 1:12-13; 3:1-15; Acts 4:29-30; Rom 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-13; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Gal 3:1-5; Eph 1:13-14; 5:18.

 WE BELIEVE that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation but are channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Matt 26:26-29; 28:19; Rom 6:3-11; 1 Cor ll:23-34; 1 Pet 3:21.

 WE BELIEVE that the church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given the church apostles, prophets evangelists pastors and teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. Matt 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18,42; Eph 3:14-21; 4:11-16; Heb 10.23-25; 1 Pet 2:4-5, 9-10.

 WE BELIEVE that God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and especially to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service This ministry is an expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom of God. Is 58:6-12; 61:1; Matt 28:18-20; Lk 4:18; 21:1-4; Gal 2:10; 1 Tim 6:8

 WE BELIEVE in the literal second coming of Christ at the end of the age when He will return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom. We also believe in and are praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and the emergence of a victorious church that will experience an unprecedented unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. Ps 2:7-9; 22:27-28; Jn 14:12; 17:20-26; Rom 11:25-32; 1 Cor 15:20-28, 50-58; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-5:11; 2 Thess 1:3-12; Rev 7:9-14.

 WE BELIEVE that when the Christian dies he/she passes immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when the unbeliever dies he/she is consigned to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when he/she shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God. Matt 25:46; Lk 16:19-31; Jn 5:25-29; 1 Cor 15:35-58; 2 Cor 5:1-10; Phil 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thess 1:5-10; Rev 2011-15; 21:1-22:15

 WE BELIEVE in the sanctity of human life and that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. Sexuality can only be expressed legitimately within this covenant.  Ps 139:13-16; Gen 2:24.

ARTICLE I

General

 1.01 Name

The name of this organization shall be the Rock River House of Prayer (R²HOP) Inc..

 1.02 Notifications

All notification periods mentioned in these bylaws shall be 7 days.

 1.03 Incorporation

A simple majority of the Steering Committee will be required to approve the constitution and slate of leaders.

 1.04 Appeals

All decisions may be appealed to the steering committee.  The steering committee’s decisions are final.

 1.05 Books & Records

The following directives apply to record keeping:

R²HOP will keep two sets of email addresses: R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom and Associates.

R²HOP shall keep correct and complete books and record of account, together with minutes of the proceedings of the steering committee.

All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom.  Request must be submitted in writing.

 1.06 Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the last day of December next following, unless otherwise determined by the steering committee.

 1.07 Amendments

All or any portion of these bylaws may be amended or repealed by 2/3 decision of the steering committee including the director. No amendment, however, shall be made that would deprive the corporation of its Section 501(C)(3) tax exempt status.

 1.08 Up To Date

An up-to-date constitution, including all amendments, will be maintained by the Secretary.

 1.09 Annual Meeting

Each year an annual meeting of the Steering Committee will be held to hear a report on the condition of R²HOP, to approve a new budget, and to vote on retaining the current slate of officers.

ARTICLE II

Organization

 2.01 Officers of the Corporation

The officers of the corporation shall be selected from the Steering Committee and will consist of: Director, Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.  The term is unlimited, except for removal or resignation.

 2.02 The Director

The Director shall be the chief executive officer of the organization. The Director shall see that the resolutions and directives of the organization are put into effect, except in those instances in which that responsibility is assigned to some other person by the Steering Committee, and in general, shall discharge all duties incident to the office of the director.

The Director shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the spiritual and business affairs of the organization, except as otherwise provided herein. The Director shall over-see the business of the organization on a daily basis and give leadership to the Steering Committee, and R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom.

The Director shall have oversight of the staff who, with him and under his direction shall carry out the day-to-day tasks and the Steering Committee’s written decisions.

The Director, with approval of the Steering Committee, may appoint such agents and representatives of the corporation and with such powers and to perform such acts or duties on behalf of the corporation as the Steering Committee may see fit so far consistent with these bylaws to the extent authorized or permitted by law.

 2.03 The Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Steering Committee and serve as its chairperson—opening and closing meetings and reviewing resolutions.

 2.04 The Treasurer

The treasurer shall do or cause to have done the following:

Have charge and custody of and be responsible for the receipt, care, investment, disbursement, and disposition of all funds, property, and securities of the corporation.

Accept all gifts of money or other personal property on behalf of the corporation, executing such receipts or other documents as may be necessary.

Enter or cause to be entered regularly on the books of the corporation and to be kept by him, or under his supervision, full and accurate account of all monies and obligations received and paid or incurred for or on account of the corporation. The treasurer shall exhibit such books at all reasonable times to any Steering Committee member on application at the offices of the corporation.

Deposit all monies in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as may be authorized by the Steering Committee.

See that the books of the corporation are reviewed each year.

Perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Director or by the Steering Committee.

The director will not be a signee on any Accounts Payable (AP) account.

The treasurer will ensure that there are two Steering Committee members with AP signing authorization or one Steering Committee member and one other Friend of the Bridegroom..

The treasurer may be required to give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties, in such sum and with such securities as the Steering Committee may require.

 2.04 The Secretary

The Secretary shall do or cause to have done each of the following:

Record the minutes of the meetings of the Steering Committee in one or more books provided for that purpose.

See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law.

Be custodian of the corporate records.

Keep an email register of the R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom and Associates.

Perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Director or by the Steering Committee.

 2.05 Steering Committee

Consists of 6-12 people chosen from among the R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom.  Currently serving Steering Committee members will vote on prospective Committee members.  Selection must be unanimous.  Each steering committee member must agree to be governed by this constitution.

 2.06 Steering Committee Term

Each Steering Committee member will serve for a period of one year and must be unanimously reaffirmed by the other committee members.  There is no limit to the number of years a committee person may choose to serve.

 2.07 Quorum

Fifty percent of the Steering Committee must be present to conduct new business.  Actions must be approved by the director and a simple majority.  Unanimity is preferred, but not required.

ARTICLE III

Beliefs & Practices

 3.01 Theological Statements

Our theological presuppositions are enumerated in the booklet “Rock River House of Prayer Statement of Faith”.

 3.02 Philosophical Statements

Our philosophical statements can be found in “Rock River House of Prayer—A Guide to 24/7 Prayer”.

ARTICLE IV

Purpose

 4.01 Enumerated Purposes

This organization shall be organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.  Activities include, but are not limited to:

Creating and maintaining a 24/7 House of Prayer.

Developing intercessory missionaries.

Creating and maintaining healing rooms and providing appropriate training.

Training and maintaining prophetic teams.

Ministering the Word of God.

Ministering to one another and to others through prayer, encouragement, exhortation, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or other appropriate means;

Maintaining R²HOP facilities.

Establishing new ‘house of prayer’ organizations in other communities.

Providing support to other HOP’s as needed.

ARTICLE V

Membership

 5.01 Membership

R²HOP has two classes of non voting members: R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom and Associates

 5.02 R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom Requirements

Develop sustaining Friendships with other members of R²HOP.

Subscribe to the Rock River House of Prayer—Statement of Faith.

Subscribe to the Rock River House of Prayer—A Guide to 24/7 Prayer.

Follow and support the leadership of R²HOP

Faithfully attend and participate in the various R²HOP meetings.

Give to the financial support of R²HOP.

Be an active member in a local congregation.

Agree to be governed by the bylaws of this constitution.

 5.03 Associates

Associates who are not able to directly participate in the ministry, but wish to be on the emailing list.

 5.04 Membership Application

Prospective members shall submit a written request to be added to R²HOP email list as either an R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom or Associate or they may apply through the R²HOP web site.  Other requirements may be set from time to time by the director or steering committee.

 5.05 Forfeiture of Membership

R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom, who without good cause, absent themselves from the organization for a period of 90 days, or cease to meet all requirements, may forfeit their membership.

 5.06 Resignation of Membership

Associates and R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom may resign their membership at any time with a simple written request.

 5.07 Discipline of Members

General discipline, related to R²HOP, will follow the pattern laid out in Matt 18.  Anyone who does not respond to discipline will forfeit their membership.  More serious issues of discipline will be appealed to the appropriate representative church leader.  Church discipline decisions will be accepted and supported by R²HOP.

ARTICLE VI

Removal from Leadership

 6.01 Director

The director may be removed when 70% or more of the Steering Committee renders a no confidence vote.  Notification of this decision will be sent by email.

 6.02 Steering Committee

A Steering Committee member may be removed if the director and a simple majority of the committee renders a no confidence vote.  Notification of this decision will be sent by email.

 6.03 R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom

A R²HOP Friends of the Bridegroom may be removed if the director and a simple majority of the committee renders a no confidence vote.  Notification of this decision will be sent by email.

 6.04 Grounds

Grounds for removal include: significant departure from the Theological and Philosophical Statements of the organization, serious breach of other provisions of these bylaws, and substantial departure from Biblical norms of behavior.

 ARTICLE VII

Compensation

 7.01 Paid Staff

Paid office staff will be paid according to market conditions and prevailing community standards depending on the type of work and experience of the employee.

 7.02 Review

Each year as needed, a temporary Compensation Task Force, composed of present or former members of the Steering Committee, or other suitable individuals, who are not paid by R²HOP shall be appointed by the Steering Committee to review staff compensation and submit proposed changes.

Once suggested compensations have been drafted by the Compensation Task Force, they are reviewed by the Steering Committee and Treasurer. Office staff dollars will be included in the annual budget and voted on by the Steering Committee.

Compensation may include salary and other benefits such as parsonage allowance, medical reimbursement plans, insurance and retirement plans, and any other benefits that are normal and available by law. Staff may also be reimbursed for expenses incurred while fulfilling their responsibilities. Reimbursements are budgeted separately from compensation and are not determined by the Compensation Task Force.

ARTICLE VIII

Property, Contracts, Checks,

Deposits and Funds

 8.01 Contracts

The Steering Committee may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 8.02 Checks and Drafts

All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Steering Committee. In the absence of such determination by the Steering Committee, such Instruments shall bear the signatures and be signed by a member of the steering committee or the Treasurer of the corporation.

8.03 Deposits

All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Steering Committee may select.

 8.04 Contribution

The director has the authority to accept or, with the advice of the Steering Committee, refuse on behalf of the organization any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for any purpose of the organization. In general, it is the intention of the director and the Steering Committee to use all funds designated for specific purposes in the area for which they were designated. However, the Steering Committee reserves the right to redirect all funds including designated finds to areas of need. The Steering Committee may allow monies to be loaned from one fund within the organization and placed in another. No interest will be charged and monies are to be repaid as soon as possible.

 8.05 Property

The organization shall have the right to purchase or acquire by gifts, bequest, or otherwise, either directly or as trustee, and to own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of any real estate or chattels as may be necessary for the furtherance of its purpose. The agent of the transaction shall certify in such conveyance, deed, lease, or mortgage, or hypothecation that the same has been duly authorized by the Steering Committee. Such certificate shall be held to be conclusive evidence thereof.

 8.06 Budget

Each year at the annual meeting a budget will be presented to the steering committee covering the proposed activities of the organization. If the presented budget does not pass, the current budget will be extended until a new budget is accepted. Each department or ministry that requires funding must present a budget for the coming year. Ministries requiring additional funding beyond the budgeted amount will need the approval of the steering committee if approval if the amount is 25% or more.

ARTICLE IX

Indemnification

 9.01 Limitations of Liability

No person shall be liable to the corporation on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by him in good faith as a director, officer, Friends of the Bridegroom, agent or employee of the corporation, if in respect thereto be used or exercised the same degree of care and skill as a prudent man would have used or exercised under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.  Without limitation on the foregoing any such person shall be deemed to have used and exercised such degree of care and skill if he took or omitted to take such action in reliance in good faith upon advice of counsel for the corporation, or reports or information made or furnished to the corporation by any of its officers, accountants, engineers, appraisers of other experts employed by the corporation and selected with reasonable care by the organization Steering Committee, an authorized officer, or task force of the corporation.

 9.02 Indemnification

The organization shall indemnify each person who, by reason of being or having been an officer of the organization, a member of the Steering Committee, a Friends of the Bridegroom or an employee of the organization, named or otherwise, becomes or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding described below, and

The organization by action of the Steering Committee may indemnify any other person astute deemed proper by the Steering Committee, against any and all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement, and other disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by or imposed upon such person in connection with any action, suit, investigation or proceeding (or claim or other matter therein), whether civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise in nature, including but not limited to any proceeding involving allegations of invasion of privacy, negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress or any similar or related allegedly tortiou conduct, negligence, pastoral malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty or care or loyalty, or any suits alleging violations of civil rights including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, disability or handicap or sexual orientation, with respect to which such person is named or otherwise threatened to be made a party by reason of being or any time having been, at the direction or request of the organization, a Steering Committee member, officer, Friends of the Bridegroom, administrator, manager, employee, member advisor or other agent of or fiduciary for any other corporation, partnership, trust, venture, or other entity or enterprise including any employee benefit plan.

 9.03 Authorization

Each request, or case of or on behalf of any person who is or may be entitled to indemnification for reasons other than in Section 9.02 above shall be reviewed by the Steering Committee, and indemnification of such person shall be authorized by the Steering Committee only if it is determined by the Steering Committee that indemnification is proper in the specific case, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these bylaws, no person shall be indemnified to the extent, if any, it is determined by the organization Steering Committee or by written opinion of legal counsel designated by the organization Steering Committee for such purpose that indemnification is contrary to applicable law.

 9.04 Rights Cumulative

The provisions of this Article shall not be deemed exclusive or in limitation of, but shall be deemed cumulative of and in addition to any other limitation of liability or right of indemnity to which such director, officer, Friends of the Bridegroom, agent or employee of the corporation may he otherwise entitled.

 9.05 Insurance

R²HOP may, as the Steering Committee directs, purchase and maintain such insurance on behalf of any person who is or at any time has been an officer of the organization, member of the organization’s Steering Committee, Friends of the Bridegroom or other agent of or in a similar capacity with the organization, or who is or at any time has been, at the direction or request of the organization, trustee, officer, administrator, manager, employee, member, advisor or other agent of or fiduciary for any other corporation, partnership, trust, venture or other entity or enterprise including any employee benefit plan against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person.

ARTICLE X

Affiliations

 10.01 Right of Self Government

This organization shall have the right to govern itself according to the standards of the New Testament scriptures. This shall include, but is not limited to, the right to establish and maintain such departments, institutions and services within the organization for its work embraced by the purposes of this corporation; to designate its own officers, to appoint ministry teams, to arrange for its own meetings, and to govern itself in accordance with the Constitution and bylaws herein and after defined; to establish and define policy by which it shall be governed and to take such other and further actions and prerogatives as may be necessary or appropriate to implement and operate its New Testament commission.

 10.02 New Affiliations

We affirm the wisdom of affiliation with other organizations for support, wisdom, accountability, and cooperation. The Steering Committee shall recognize a relationship with one or more apostolic and or prophetic ministries or persons outside of R²HOP whom the Lord directs them to relate. The Steering Committee shall publicly inform R²HOP members of the identity of these persons with whom the Steering Committee established relationship.

 ARTICLE XI

 Dedication of Property and earnings

to Non-profit Activities

 11.01 Vesting or Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Steering Committee shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation, in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as voted by a majority of the Steering Committee. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court in the County in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

 11.02 Prohibition Against Sharing in Corporate Earning

No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, past or current or other private persons; except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth herein. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a Corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (h) by a Corporation, contributions to which are deductible tinder Section 170(C)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

 11.03 Investments

The Corporation shall have the right to retain all or any part of any securities or property acquired by it in whatever manner and to invest and reinvest any funds held by it, according to the judgment of the Steering Committee under its general powers specified in these bylaws, without being restricted to the class of investments which a trustee is or may hereafter be permitted to make, or any similar restriction; provided, however, that no action shall he taken by or on behalf of the corporation if such action is a prohibited transaction, or would result in the denial of the tax exemption under 503 or 507 of the Internal Revenue code and its Regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

 11.04 Exempt Activities

Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, no member of R²HOP shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of the corporation not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization exempt under 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.