Chicago House of Prayer | The Foundation

The Foundation

On November 25, 1995 a handful of love-sick people began to meet each Monday night, in the Beerys' living room. Every Monday night more and more people would begin to gather with a desire to encounter God at the heart level. God began to manifest His glory as nights turned into days. Out of these encounters, A.R.K. MINISTRIES emerged.

In 1998 a personal invitation was given by Mike Bickle, ministry director and founder of IHOP K.C., to Todd Beery to become a "Test Pilot" group and start a FRIENDS OF THE BRIDEGROOM in Chicago. Todd centered FOTB CHICAGO around the bridal paradigm by using the Song of Solomon as its foundation.

Friends of the Bridegroom Chicago (F.O.T.B.) began to meet each Friday night in a hotel conference room. Mike Bickles' affirmation to Todd Beery to begin FOTB Chicago still continues to this day, but now gathers every Monday night. We embrace IHOP K.C.'s posture of taking no governmental role in other ministries, knowing this, we feel honored and privileged to proclaim this forerunner message.

Those Friday night gatherings, together with the Monday night encounters, set the stage for what the Lord had in store all along, a night and day prayer furnace.

Being obedient and not despising small beginnings, God extended the invitation to launch The International House of Prayer Chicago, all out of a living room of individuals "interceding and worshiping", now commonly known as Harp and Bowl.

THE CHICAGO HOUSE OF PRAYER was officially opened in May 26, 2000.