Our History
In 1980, Dennis See had a vision from the Lord. It was through the contents of that vision that The Altar IHOP was birthed.
Planting Seeds
Shortly after becoming a Christian and before really understanding what worship was, Dennis heard God speaking to him on this theme- a theme which was challenging to comprehend since the only way Dennis knew to worship came from his experience in the traditional church setting.
Dennis, unclear where this road would lead him, began playing piano, writing music and singing unto the Lord through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In spite of feeling as though he had no idea how to worship, a deep longing and drawing to worship God grew within him.
Learning About “Worship”
As Dennis walked further down the new road called, “Worship,” God began speaking to him about things to come.
He spoke about how He would teach Dennis not only to worship but how to lead others into the presence of the Lord. He went on to tell Dennis that this was important because He wanted people to experience His presence also.
Tabernacles & Stadiums
In addition to speaking to Dennis about teaching him to worship, the Lord spoke to him about raising up the “Tabernacle of David.”
Dennis saw a picture of himself sitting at a big black grand piano leading worship. This piano was in a stadium that was filled, as far as the eye could see, with hungry worshipers. In the vision, he saw that this event lasted for a number of days.
Not understanding the vision, Dennis waited on the Lord to reveal the meaning of it all.
“Carriers”
A short time after the piano vision, Dennis began traveling with a group called the “Carriers” who were a gospel singing group. After traveling with them a little over a year, Dennis began to feel the Lord directing him to go to school.
No More Walls
In 1984, before graduating from Rhema Bible Training Center, Dennis had a dream. In part of that dream, God showed him a worship center filled with people. A unique thing about this worship center was that there were no walls. As in the vision with the piano & the stadium, people were stretched out as far as the eye could see.
As the dream continued, Dennis was directed to, “go to the platform and speak.” As he was in the process of walking to the platform, God gave Dennis a scripture. It was Jeremiah 1:4-17.
This was one of what have been many prophetic dreams and words released over Dennis’ life. However, he was still unsure what all of these things meant or how they would come to be.
Germination
Dennis spent many years ministering in different churches. He functioned as a youth pastor but primarily operated as a worship leader.
In the midst of that season, a desire to start some kind of worship college, school or training center grew in Dennis’ heart. As God trained him up in the art of worship, he became more and more aware of a great need in the body of Christ for real, true honest worship among God’s people.
After years of ministry and storing up these visions in his heart it was time for a shift. A friend invited Dennis to go to Kansas City- specifically, to visit Mike Bickle’s ministry, The International House of Prayer.
IHOP-KC
As Dennis experienced the power of God in the House of Prayer, his life changed forever. It was here that his earlier visions and dreams started to come together and make sense.
It was here that he realized this was what he was called to do- to raise up a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week place of worship and prayer. He also came to understand he would be traveling and ministering all over the world. In so doing, he would be releasing the heart of God and leading people into deeper, more intimate worship experiences with the Lord.
Confirmations
Upon returning from Kansas City, God provided Dennis with many events confirming his call.
Among them was a new opportunity for ministry at the church where Dennis was Worship Pastor. The Music Department set up a meeting to introduce the Harp & Bowl worship and prayer concept. The goal was to gauge interest.
Much to Dennis’ surprise, 86 individuals showed up at the meeting! In only a few weeks, “The Altar” was up and running. Not only that but, 16 churches in the area were involved with around 60 individuals participating.
At the time of those meetings, the sessions were called “Harp & Bowl,” a term in reference to Revelations 5:8.
Get the Barns Ready
Once again, Dennis found himself with another visionary experience. This time, it was of the youth revival that is about to be released to this generation.
In the vision, God showed Dennis that barns needed to be made ready for the harvest, and that we, the workers, need to be made ready for the harvest to come in. Finally, that the revival, which the body has been praying for, is indeed coming and it’s the younger generation God is about to move on.
Dennis knew deep in his spirit Harp & Bowl type prayer and the youth revival of his vision were somehow connected.
612
After a season of weekly Harp & Bowl meetings and knowing the desire of the Lord for this type of ministry, Dennis went to Kansas City for a third time. The goal of that trip was to seek the Lord concerning the House of Prayer.
As Dennis prayed, asking what to call this prayer ministry he had another series of confirmation experiences.
Upon stepping out of the hotel elevator, his eyes were drawn to room number 612. Next in the series of events was an encounter in the IHOP-KC prayer room. On the wall above the prayer board was written a scripture from Leviticus. Interestingly enough, it was Leviticus 6:12 which is written, “…the fire on the altar shall never go out, it shall be kept burning.”
As soon as his eyes rested on the words “The Altar” he knew in his heart, “This is the name.” He also knew the time had come for the House of Prayer vision to begin moving full speed ahead.
Above Ground
As Worship Pastor and one of the founding members of his church, Dennis needed to make a decision.
After what seemed like an age of waiting on the Lord and prayer, Dennis felt it was time for seeds to sprout. In 2002, taking a big step of faith, he resigned from his 5 year post as Worship Pastor, left the church he helped build and began a new adventure. He started the process of establishing " The Altar International House of Prayer."
From Sprout to Plant
While we are not yet at the non-stop 24/7 prayer & worship marker, we continue moving steadily in that direction.
We currently host meetings on Saturday nights, with many smaller prayer sessions scattered in between. The Sunday morning session focuses on praying for the churches in our region. The Sunday evening session focuses on praying for Houses of Prayer all over the world.
Our meetings are very free, Holy Spirit- led encounters that focus on the Lord, prayer and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry, naturally pointing to deeper revelation of the Kingdom of God.
Growing Together as “The Body”
Among the many things God has shown Dennis is the Body of Christ functioning together as one. At The Altar IHOP, we are trying to walk this out.
We know God is speaking to the hearts of His people all over this region. We also know, there are not many places to release what God has given.
Here at The Altar IHOP, we want to hear what God is saying, and we welcome sharing at the appropriate times. This is one of the ways we can help each other pray more effectively. By bringing all of our parts together, we obtain a big picture. It is from this that we believe we will see more accurately what God is doing in our region, state and nation.
Invitation to Grow
If you have never experienced this kind of meeting before, we ask you to come and join us. You will be drawn into the awesome presence of the Lord. Your life will be richly blessed and you will be changed by the power of God.
We also encourage you to take what you receive from The Altar IHOP back to your home church and serve as a blessing to them.
In 1980, Dennis See had a vision from the Lord. It was through the contents of that vision that The Altar IHOP was birthed.
Planting Seeds
Shortly after becoming a Christian and before really understanding what worship was, Dennis heard God speaking to him on this theme- a theme which was challenging to comprehend since the only way Dennis knew to worship came from his experience in the traditional church setting.
Dennis, unclear where this road would lead him, began playing piano, writing music and singing unto the Lord through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In spite of feeling as though he had no idea how to worship, a deep longing and drawing to worship God grew within him.
Learning About “Worship”
As Dennis walked further down the new road called, “Worship,” God began speaking to him about things to come.
He spoke about how He would teach Dennis not only to worship but how to lead others into the presence of the Lord. He went on to tell Dennis that this was important because He wanted people to experience His presence also.
Tabernacles & Stadiums
In addition to speaking to Dennis about teaching him to worship, the Lord spoke to him about raising up the “Tabernacle of David.”
Dennis saw a picture of himself sitting at a big black grand piano leading worship. This piano was in a stadium that was filled, as far as the eye could see, with hungry worshipers. In the vision, he saw that this event lasted for a number of days.
Not understanding the vision, Dennis waited on the Lord to reveal the meaning of it all.
“Carriers”
A short time after the piano vision, Dennis began traveling with a group called the “Carriers” who were a gospel singing group. After traveling with them a little over a year, Dennis began to feel the Lord directing him to go to school.
No More Walls
In 1984, before graduating from Rhema Bible Training Center, Dennis had a dream. In part of that dream, God showed him a worship center filled with people. A unique thing about this worship center was that there were no walls. As in the vision with the piano & the stadium, people were stretched out as far as the eye could see.
As the dream continued, Dennis was directed to, “go to the platform and speak.” As he was in the process of walking to the platform, God gave Dennis a scripture. It was Jeremiah 1:4-17.
This was one of what have been many prophetic dreams and words released over Dennis’ life. However, he was still unsure what all of these things meant or how they would come to be.
Germination
Dennis spent many years ministering in different churches. He functioned as a youth pastor but primarily operated as a worship leader.
In the midst of that season, a desire to start some kind of worship college, school or training center grew in Dennis’ heart. As God trained him up in the art of worship, he became more and more aware of a great need in the body of Christ for real, true honest worship among God’s people.
After years of ministry and storing up these visions in his heart it was time for a shift. A friend invited Dennis to go to Kansas City- specifically, to visit Mike Bickle’s ministry, The International House of Prayer.
IHOP-KC
As Dennis experienced the power of God in the House of Prayer, his life changed forever. It was here that his earlier visions and dreams started to come together and make sense.
It was here that he realized this was what he was called to do- to raise up a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week place of worship and prayer. He also came to understand he would be traveling and ministering all over the world. In so doing, he would be releasing the heart of God and leading people into deeper, more intimate worship experiences with the Lord.
Confirmations
Upon returning from Kansas City, God provided Dennis with many events confirming his call.
Among them was a new opportunity for ministry at the church where Dennis was Worship Pastor. The Music Department set up a meeting to introduce the Harp & Bowl worship and prayer concept. The goal was to gauge interest.
Much to Dennis’ surprise, 86 individuals showed up at the meeting! In only a few weeks, “The Altar” was up and running. Not only that but, 16 churches in the area were involved with around 60 individuals participating.
At the time of those meetings, the sessions were called “Harp & Bowl,” a term in reference to Revelations 5:8.
Get the Barns Ready
Once again, Dennis found himself with another visionary experience. This time, it was of the youth revival that is about to be released to this generation.
In the vision, God showed Dennis that barns needed to be made ready for the harvest, and that we, the workers, need to be made ready for the harvest to come in. Finally, that the revival, which the body has been praying for, is indeed coming and it’s the younger generation God is about to move on.
Dennis knew deep in his spirit Harp & Bowl type prayer and the youth revival of his vision were somehow connected.
612
After a season of weekly Harp & Bowl meetings and knowing the desire of the Lord for this type of ministry, Dennis went to Kansas City for a third time. The goal of that trip was to seek the Lord concerning the House of Prayer.
As Dennis prayed, asking what to call this prayer ministry he had another series of confirmation experiences.
Upon stepping out of the hotel elevator, his eyes were drawn to room number 612. Next in the series of events was an encounter in the IHOP-KC prayer room. On the wall above the prayer board was written a scripture from Leviticus. Interestingly enough, it was Leviticus 6:12 which is written, “…the fire on the altar shall never go out, it shall be kept burning.”
As soon as his eyes rested on the words “The Altar” he knew in his heart, “This is the name.” He also knew the time had come for the House of Prayer vision to begin moving full speed ahead.
Above Ground
As Worship Pastor and one of the founding members of his church, Dennis needed to make a decision.
After what seemed like an age of waiting on the Lord and prayer, Dennis felt it was time for seeds to sprout. In 2002, taking a big step of faith, he resigned from his 5 year post as Worship Pastor, left the church he helped build and began a new adventure. He started the process of establishing " The Altar International House of Prayer."
From Sprout to Plant
While we are not yet at the non-stop 24/7 prayer & worship marker, we continue moving steadily in that direction.
We currently host meetings on Saturday nights, with many smaller prayer sessions scattered in between. The Sunday morning session focuses on praying for the churches in our region. The Sunday evening session focuses on praying for Houses of Prayer all over the world.
Our meetings are very free, Holy Spirit- led encounters that focus on the Lord, prayer and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry, naturally pointing to deeper revelation of the Kingdom of God.
Growing Together as “The Body”
Among the many things God has shown Dennis is the Body of Christ functioning together as one. At The Altar IHOP, we are trying to walk this out.
We know God is speaking to the hearts of His people all over this region. We also know, there are not many places to release what God has given.
Here at The Altar IHOP, we want to hear what God is saying, and we welcome sharing at the appropriate times. This is one of the ways we can help each other pray more effectively. By bringing all of our parts together, we obtain a big picture. It is from this that we believe we will see more accurately what God is doing in our region, state and nation.
Invitation to Grow
If you have never experienced this kind of meeting before, we ask you to come and join us. You will be drawn into the awesome presence of the Lord. Your life will be richly blessed and you will be changed by the power of God.
We also encourage you to take what you receive from The Altar IHOP back to your home church and serve as a blessing to them.
