Michael & Michelle Tharpe’s Bio:
Originally from Monroe, Louisiana, Michael & Michelle were on staff as youth pastors and worship leaders at their local church in Monroe for 11 years. Since August of 2003, the Tharpe family have served on staff as “Intercessory Missionaries” at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO. (www.ihopkc.org)
You may ask “What is an Intercessory Missionary?” As ‘IMs’ give ourselves to the traditional works of mercy, evangelism, and discipleship that normally is associated with missions, but our primary calling is to give ourselves to God in worship, prayer, and fasting. Historically prolonged prayer for the Church and the lost changes the spiritual atmosphere over those cities and regions, allowing for breakthroughs of repentance and revival in the church and the harvest of lost souls.
As Intercessory Missionaries our greatest desire is to see the Church Of Jesus Christ be who she is called to be in the earth. Some of my favorite prayers to pray for the church are out of Ephesians 3:16-19 – that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Michael, Michelle & Michaela (their daughter) also have a heart for adoption, evangelism (specifically to Native Americans) and the restoration of the creative arts in the Church for the display of God’s glory in the earth! – That Christ may be lifted up and draw all men unto Him for the salvation of their souls!
————————————
Watch God Turn Things Around As You Sing His Word!
Tharpe Family Update
ALIYAH
HE’s GONNA TURN IT ALL AROUND!!! While in the prayer room this week, there seemed to be a recurring theme! HOPE
In the midst of this HOPE theme washing over us, I believe it’s the Lord’s response to many of His saints going through a battle. There’s been a tangible thrust of attack with several of the people in the IHOPKC community this week. Many have been overwhelmed with life circumstances, thoughts of hopelessness, confusion; fear, and anxiety seem to cloud or muddy the waters of the authority and truth of our God & His Word. I believe some of you have sensed these fiery darts of the enemy as well – physically, emotionally/mentally, and spiritually.
THINK! THANK! THUNK!
People I’ve connected with have felt the attack mostly in the area of thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 declares “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
3 SOURCES OF THOUGHT: #1 – Our 5 Senses. Everything we’ve learned since we were born has entered through our 5 senses. #2 – The Devil. Satan bombards our minds with thoughts. We know this because the Bible says in John 13:2 – “The devil put the thought of betrayal into Judas’ heart.” #3 – GOD! The main difference between thoughts from God and those from our 5 senses and the devil is this: God deals with our spirit and the others deal with our mind. Romans 8:7 (AMP) says “[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal, sensual thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.” God speaks to us through our spirit and our spirit speaks to our mind. Whether or not our mind can use the thoughts is based on whether or not our mind is renewed by the Word of God (Romans 12:2).
GET A BRAINWASH: RENEW YOUR MIND WITH GOD’s WORD
Our minds are like computers. So we must program or re-program our minds because of our life circumstances that we encounter in the world we live. Romans 12:2 talks about this. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and perfect will of God.” As our mind gets renewed by the Word of God, we begin to trust God more, believe God more and see God more.
Philippians 4:8 says – “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” We have to consciously change the focus of our thoughts. It’s intentional and with purpose.
CHANGE YOUR WORLD BY CHANGING THE SONG YOUR SINGING
Back to the “prayer room.” So while I’ve been in the prayer room, I’ve been reminded of the power and life in God’s Word as we sing and pray It. Doing this changes the spiritual, mental, and emotional atmosphere over our lives.
Ephesians 5:19 (AMP) declares “Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16 (AMP) says “Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.”
Whether we speak or sing God’s Word (I vote to sing) it changes the atmosphere and perception of our lives! Certain worship songs or hymns also have an anointing from the Lord that breaks through the “funk” and begins to touch us with His nearness and manifest presence. The spirit of heaviness begins to break off of us. Why? These spiritual songs and hymns are rooted in God’s Word. These melodies and messages are releasing God’s truth, washing and transforming us. We are being conformed to the image of Christ as our beliefs/thoughts/minds are being renewed!
Be encouraged! Make some melodies in your hearts to God, and watch Him “Turn It All Around!” Your circumstances, your perception: everything will begin to shift and change as you begin to focus on God – His nature, His character, and His ability!
Just don’t give up Don’t give in, If you don’t quit You’ll win you’ll win
Everything is in His hands, It’s gonna be alright You’re gonna be okay
He’s gonna turn it all around, Just wait and see
He’s gonna make everything beautiful, Just in time
Susan Nazarewicz’s website is a great resource for creative conversation starters to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! It has over 400 different “object evangelism icebreakers” that will help get you started! You see, train tracts are for Christians to TRAIN them how to transition conversations onto the Gospel TRACK. Click on the image to check it out! Recently we connected with a North American ministry that helps Jewish people make Aliyah back to Israel. This ministry partners with Eitan Shishkoff’s ministry in Israel – Tents Of Mercy.
In 1989 Eitan had a vision. He saw an oasis with tents full of provisions of every description. The Spirit of God spoke to him that this was a call to establish a place of refuge and healing for the returning exiles.
This is a great camp if you have children 8-12 years old. Michael will be teaching in the worship track for this camp. If you want more information click on the “Signs & Wonders” image.7 Days Ablaze is for anyone who desires to witness more effectively for Jesus and to grow in intimacy with Him. Michael will be leading worship at a few of the sessions. Hope to see you there! Click on the “7 Days Ablaze” to register. This annual high school conference is for a generation of young people who desire to live radical lives of devotion to Jesus and to bring His love and power to a broken world, that our campuses and cities might be transformed
THARPE FAMILY UPDATE – December 2023
Dear Precious Family of God, In 3rd John 1:2, John prays, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” We pray this for you all at this time of year as we celebrate the birth of the Hope of all the earth, Jesus Christ! The Savior of all made His entrance on to the world’s stage – bringing Light, Truth and Salvation to all who would receive Him!
Misty Edwards has a song called “People Get Ready,” and the words in one of the sections are such a strong reminder that Jesus didn’t just come to the earth, live a sinless life, was crucified, died, was buried, and then rose again and ascended to the right hand of the Father. That’s not the end of the story!
“He’s not a baby in a manger anymore, He’s not a broken man on a cross,
He didn’t stay in the grave, And He’s not staying in heaven forever.”
– PEOPLE GET READY by Misty EdwardsPraying the Lord strengthen us all to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus, to be able to endure to the end, all for His glory!
UPDATE: Mike Bickle Allegations & IHOPKC
Even as I begin writing concerning the allegations against Mike Bickle, I realize some of you may have gone through something like this in your life. A leader or a pastor within the ministry or church with which you are affiliated may have been accused or possibly committed sinful actions that deemed it necessary to remove them from those leadership roles. These moments are temporal in church life but they can make a deep impact upon us. To be able to navigate the mine fields that come with an event like this, we must have God’s great wisdom and understanding. This only comes from assuming the posture of leaning. Leaning into the Lord. Not trusting in our own ability to discern what is fully taking place, for we only hear in part and see in part. For us personally, there has been a wide spectrum of emotions and thoughts that have been impacting us, and at times very draining – emotionally, physically and spiritually. Not sure if any of you have been in a fight…. Maybe been hit upside your head with a fist or a 2 x 4….? Or possibly had the breath knocked out of you by a punch or a fall. That’s how it has felt at times. Shocked, confused, angry, and any other emotion you can think might apply in dealing with this scenario. But we know His grace is sufficient for us and everyone involved. We must continue to lean and trust not in our own understanding, but rest in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. For those of you who have reached out to us during this time, please know that we appreciate your prayers, texts and phone calls. They have been so helpful in processing.Below I’ve given you a series of links to mark the timeline concerning information that we’ve known that was passed down to us as part of the IHOPKC staff and processed thus far. Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has done the best job they could have done with the knowledge they have had under the circumstances. There are lots of people who have spoken out concerning the processes and those leading the processes via social media. This has resulted in many slanderous statements that are not true or partial truth mixed with embellishments or flat out lies. This has not been helpful in processing the information concerning these events and only fuels the fires of dissension between members of the body of Christ. Bill Corum, a seasoned minister, spiritual father and well-known evangelist in the Kansas City area, shared some key verses the Lord showed him about how to carry our hearts and how we speak while navigating these processes. He cited Hebrews 7:25, which says “He (Jesus) always lives to make intercession for us.” And in Revelation 12:10, Bill reminded us that “the accuser of the brethren accuses us before God, day and night.” Bill admonished us that we need to stay in the “intercession camp” and not the “accusation camp.” The consequences of choosing the wrong camp could be more severe than any of us realize.
1 Timothy 1:18 – This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
In May of this year, many of you joined us in a historic 21 day fast for Israel where more than 5 million believers across the world joined in praying for the peace of Jerusalem, the nation of Israel and all Jewish people. Only God knew, at the time, that on October 7th, Israel would be invaded by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad via land, sea and air assault from the Gaza Strip.
In the middle of this onslaught, another attack occured with the allegations against Mike Bickle coming forth on October 27th. Dealing with these allegations is important and needs to be tended to. Yet, the enemy of our souls, has tried to change the conversation that was begun in the Spring of 2023 concerning praying for Israel. Isaiah 62:6-7 says, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall [f]never hold their peace day or night. You who [g]make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent And give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”
Where Do We Go From Here
Many of you have asked us what is next for us. Personally, we have not heard from the Lord about a change in course or direction from what He shared over 20 years ago. Michelle and I still feel the confidence of the Lord’s leadership on the same path that He started us on. For the Lord is still worthy of night and day worship. His Call for intercessors for Israel still stands. He knew all of this when He ordained the house of prayer. Recently when Dr. Michael Brown spoke at Forerunner Church, said this phrase, “I walk with limp, not a strut.” Sometimes we feel like we are crawling on our hands and knees, but the truth is we are still pressing forward. So as we press forward, please continue to pray for and partner with us as the Lord leads you to do so. – Love you all! – Michael & Michelle
24/7 Prayer & 24/7 Acts of Justice As we wait for Jesus’ soon return, through prayer (Matthew 9:38) we make ourselves ready to partner with the Holy Spirit in acts of justice (Luke 18:7-8) to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” – Luke 1:17. As we are in our 12th year as intercessory missionaries at IHOPKC, we believe Romans 13:11-12 aptly describes our present hour in history. “…the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
BUILDING A TEAM We are actively raising up a support team who will stand with us both in prayer and financial support to continue to serve as “intercessory missionaries.” We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us as we partner with the Lord Jesus at this hour in history.
PARTNERSHIP: WALKING IT OUT If you are reading this far into our newsletter, we want to “thank you” for helping us “Walk Out” this journey of love and obedience. To partner with us financially, you may do so in several ways. First, for tax-deductible donations, please make checks out to “IHOPKC.” To comply with the IRS for Tax-Deductible donations, please DO NOT write our names in the MEMO section of the check, but DO attach to the check a Post-It-Notes with “Support For Michael Tharpe” written on it. Please know that contributions are solicited with the understanding that IHOP-KC has complete discretion and control over the use of the donated funds. When mailing donations, please use our home address located below. Second, Here is how you can give safely, securely, and directly through IHOPKC for tax-deductible donations:
The rest is self-explanatory. Third, if you are NOT concerned about TAX-DEDUCTIONS, then you can make your checks out to “Michael Tharpe” or you can send donations through PayPal using this email address – michaeltharpe@ihopkc.org. Just click the PayPal button below!
THANK YOU for reading this newsletter and engaging your heart with what the Lord is doing in and through our lives. Also “THANK YOU” for your prayers and financial support! It’s opening doors and changing lives as we wait for the Lord’s return! Michael, Michelle & MichaelaCopyright © 2023 Cry Out Now, All rights reserved.
This newsletter is sent to the family and friends of Michael, Michelle & Michaela Tharpe who are prayer and financial partners with them as they serve the nations as intercessory missionaries. Their home base is at the International House Of Prayer In Kansas City, MO.
Our mailing address is:
Cry Out Now
Michael, Michelle & Michaela Tharpe – 11211 Monroe Court, Kansas City, MO 64137
Add us to your address book
In advance, we want to “Thank You” for your prayers and financial support! It’s opening doors and making straight the way for His Kingdom to come!
Michael, Michelle & Michaela
TIMELINE LINKS
October 27th & 29th, the ELT shared an initial statement concerning allegations against Mike Bickle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I0YVTrfL2Q
November 5th, the ELT gave an update and Dr. Michael Brown Encouraged the IHOPKC family – “Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1NvYR621c
Key Messages From The Pastoral Leadership At IHOPKC As We Wade Through Processes
November 12th, 2023: Pressed But Not Crushed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dox4fpXgMcA
November 19th, 2023: Pain, Lament & Salvation (Psalm 13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMncJkgXWKU
November 26th, 2023: The King – Shepherd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZ3GBivkjc
December 3rd, 2023: The Gospel and Rejoicing Through Difficulty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhvLdziw2A
December 10th, 2023: Latest Update On Allegations Against Mike Bickle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhPF22JfO_8
December 11th, 2023: IHOPKC Official Update – Eric Volz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVcCuQnNrBI
December 12th, 2023: IHOPKC Initial Response About Mike Bickle’s Statement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18ZaXRLS1q4&t=3s
MB Initial Statement – https://cdn.subsplash.com/documents/JWB53X/_source/a83ed72e-8d9c-4881-aac2-80b97b24b635/document.pdf
December 13th, 2023: Navigating Misconceptions: IHOPKC, The Advocate Group, & Mike Bickle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avKjFCLm1Bk
December 22nd, 2023: IHOPKC Leadership Transition & Community Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mBuUfphNXs