Travel Blog

Invite Bob

Following is a report on my (Bob Sorge’s) travels.

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Aug. 1, “The Uprising” Worship Conference, World Revival Church, Lee's Summit, MO:

Thursday afternoon: Tomorrow morning I'm speaking at a worship conference at World Revival Church, which is located, so happens, right here in our own community of Lees Summit, MO. Formerly known as the Smithton Outpouring, Steve & Kathy Gray brought the church to the KC area in order to broaden its scope. They're launching an annual worship conference to serve their network, I'm thinking this is their first or second such event. The session starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, I will be speaking after a time of worship. Please pray for vocal strength, for clarity of message, and power of impartation. I am planning to speak on "Multitude-Driven Worship." I have my outline prepared, but am still asking the Lord for a fresh breath of His Spirit to come upon me for this message. Thanks for praying me into a God zone! Friday 4:00 p.m.: Had an excellent session this morning. I struggled a bit in my preparation, but then the Lord really seemed to help me in the session itself. Good connection, good response. There's a busload of 30 folks at the conference from a sister church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! All told around 100-150 people. I had had some conversations with the host previously, and was able to discern a little bit of where their ministry is at, so that helped me to bring a word that I think was relevant and helpful to them. My impression, from some things they said, is that the ministry there has been experiencing a fresh flow of the Holy Spirit in their gatherings in recent days. Wonderful! It's so convenient that I am just 15-20 minutes down the road, and already they were asking if I might be available for their event next year. Tomorrow morning I'll be flying over to Chicago, to speak Saturday evening in the closing session of an event called Karitos Worship & Arts Conference, held this year in a church in Bolingbrook. This will actually be my fourth visit to this event. The hosts have become good friends. I would ask your prayers as I pray and prepare for tomorrow evening. My plan, at least right now, is to speak on the topic, "It's Not Business, It's Personal" -- a message that I delivered last summer at IWI, and have not delivered since. I am asking for your prayers in two regards -- for clarity and anointing on the message, and also for the Spirit of the Lord to clarify and confirm for me, somehow, whether I should I write a short book on that subject. Thanks for praying into that. I may not have time Saturday night to get a report to you, so let me also tell you about Sunday morning. I'll be speaking at a ministry in inner city Chicago called The Prayer Furnace. It's a House of Prayer similar to what we have here in Kansas City. Please pray with me that I might encourage their hearts.

Aug. 2, Karitos, Living Water, Bolingbrook, IL || Aug. 3, The Prayer Furnace, Chicago, IL:

Sunday 4:30 p.m.: We've had a delightful weekend here in Chicago. It was good to get in on the last session of Karitos -- the movements of the Spirit were stronger this year than ever. The Lord helped me in the preaching, and the message seemed to be conveyed clearly. Openness to receive. Great to see Vivien Hibbert again. Then, this morning we were at the Prayer Furnace in Chicago's inner city, and had a great time. The Lord graced me with clarity and power, and the saints responded warmly to the ministry. Chris and I have especially enjoyed our connect time with John and Cecille Bailey from The Furnace. Great people, and a great heart for Chicago. This coming weekend I'm off to Hilo, HI for 2 meetings at a local church there, so I'll be back in touch in a few days.

Aug.9-10, Church on a Sure Foundation, Hilo, HI:

Friday evening: I'm heading out early in the morning, flying to Hilo, HI. I will be speaking Saturday and Sunday nights. I was to this church once before, had a great time with them on my previous visit, and am looking forward to renewing the connection with these eager believers. The pastor's son is the worship leader, they're a good team. Pray for good, timely flights, that I might arrive in time for the Saturday p.m. meeting. And pray for a strong anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we gather. Sunday 8:00 a.m.: I'm sitting on the balcony outside my room, overlooking the bay -- except that I have this huge palm tree blocking most of my view. But I'll get over it, smile. The outside weather, first thing in the morning here, is absolutely and pristinely perfect. Enough sun that everything is bright but enough cloud cover that you're shielded from its heat. So you feel refreshed without the slightest hint of a chill. I am struck, once again, with the unique trees here. They are huge, especially in the horizontal reach of their branches and roots, altogether stunning. A morning rain left everything wet, but by the time I launched my 6:50 a.m. walk, the rain was long gone. Delightful beach walk this morning. The beaches here are not sandy, but comprised of black lava rock. Everywhere you go, you see and hear the Hawaiian word, Mahalo. It means thank-you, but it rolls off the tongue so much more charmingly than the English equivalent. It's such a delightful word that you can precede it with anything and get a smile. The pilot comes on the intercom, "Ladies and gentleman, this plane is about to crash into the ocean. Mahalo." And everyone just nods and smiles. We're 5 hours earlier here than Kansas City time. So 8:00 a.m. here means it's 1:00 p.m. Central. Last night's meeting was excellent. Strong turnout (even though over half were not here when I was here 3 years ago), great spirit of worship, and the Lord graced the message in a strong way. As I spoke on endurance, once again it seemed to be a timely word for the body of Christ. It's interesting how the body of Christ tends to experience things together, even though we're separated by distance and culture and nationalities. I'll be attending the 10 a.m. service this morning at the Hilo location (they have 2 locations, Hilo is the newer church plant). Then will get ready to speak tonight. I could wish that I were able to speak more often, but not yet... Sunday 11:00 p.m.: Another great evening tonight. The house was full, with a handful of pastors from other churches present. It's so good to see a spirit of cooperation and affection among the area pastors. I spoke on Loyalty, everyone was given a handout, the group stayed with me very attentively. I'm grateful to God for a great weekend. This coming weekend I am off to Russell, PA, to be with my friends, Dale & Trudy Haight. Speaking Saturday evening and Sunday morning. So I'll be back in touch probably on Saturday.

Aug. 16-17, Praise Fellowship, Russell, PA:

Friday night: I'm watching the USA men's volleyball team against Switzerland as I write. I'm leaving the house early in the morning, heading to Russell, PA, to be with my friends, Dale & Trudy Haight and Praise Fellowship. Saturday evening is the Graduation service for their School of Ministry. Then Sunday morning for the weekend service. It's an extra treat for me to be with Dale on his home turf again -- he has accompanied me on trips to Russia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore -- it's always great to minister with him. Please pray for clarity on the message for Saturday evening. I think I have Sunday's message in view, but am still needing the Saturday message to fall into place. Believe with me for the Lord's heart for the graduates and all who attend. Might in the Spirit, and vocal strength. On another note, if you're in need of healing, you may enjoy this song: www.healer.integritymusic.com p.s. The CALL DC is happening tomorrow, if you have the opportunity to catch it on GodTV or via webcast. Let join them in praying for our nation! Saturday 11:00 p.m.: Tonight was both a regular weekend worship service and a graduation service for the School Of Ministry here. Good spirit of worship, and a meaningful time of honoring the grads. I went into the meeting this evening feeling real uncertain and fuzzy on the message. So I just went into it leaning hard on the Lord. The Lord helped me, and the response of the saints was very warm. So it was a good night, and now we're preparing our hearts for tomorrow morning. Sunday 4:00 p.m.: Had an excellent time this morning in God's house. A very strong presence of the Lord in worship. Good ministry to the Lord, and from the Lord. Then the Lord graced me to preach with clarity and boldness. The connection with the saints was strong, and the response around the altar was very heartfelt. I thought I was giving an invitation for those wanting to commit their lives to Christ, and over half of the congregation ended up at the front. It was a sweet display of loyalty to our Lord Jesus. (I preached on loyalty.) It was a delight to reconnect, too with my friends, Dale & Trudy Haight, and Rick & Sandy Rowlin. What a joy to see their two Guatemalan sons, they are way cute! Thanks for laboring in the Spirit, with me, for the Lord's Kingdom to advance in the hearts and lives of people everywhere. This Thursday I'm off to Bogota, Colombia. More later.

Aug. 21-23, Bogotá, Colombia, Devotion 2008 with Danilo Montero:

Thursday morning: I'm leaving the house mid-morning today, flying to Houston and then Bogota. My first time to Bogota. I am the ministry guest of Danilo Montero, a singer/worship leader/recording artist who is very well known in the Latin world (www.sigueme.org). His ministry is mostly through worship concerts and CDs, but he is attempting a new venture this weekend: a conference he has called Devotion 2008. The emphasis is on equipping believers to pursue a disciplined life of devotion in the word and prayer. My impression is that he's using the momentum of his concert ministry to seek to bring something of enduring spiritual substance to those his ministry touches. We were actually scheduled to do this same conference in San Juan, Costa Rica back in July, but that event ended up being cancelled. Bogota, however, is moving forward. In case you're interested, the site for the hosting church is:  supresencia.com I arrive Thursday night; speak Friday night; then speak again Saturday around 11:30 a.m. for the closing session. Then I am in another Bogota church for Sunday morning, a church called Sin Muros Church (sinmuros.org). Sin Muros is pastored by Cesar Fajardo, a brother whom I met when he visited IHOP last year with Andres & Kelly Spyker. Cesar was the brother who actually birthed what came to be known internationally as the G-12 cell group model. He was on staff at another church at that time, and is now pastoring his own work in the Bogota area. Cesar feels a strong connection to IHOP, hoping I believe to establish a house of prayer in Bogota sometime. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to connect with them. Then I return home Monday. I'm also blessed that Andres Spyker (pastor in Morelia, Mexico) will be my prayer partner for this weekend's trip. He will be my interpreter at the meetings, and will also be teaching a session at the conference. It will be sweet to reconnect with him, and I will value his support so very much. He is fully bilingual. The theme of this conference is totally in line with my heart and message. I'm feeling a bit of uncertainty about the fact that I'll be in Colombia for my first time, ministering across language and cultural barriers, in a context that I think will be touching perhaps a couple thousand or more believers. My desire is to be faithful and useful to the Master. Please agree with me in prayer for clarity of message, vocal strength, and power of impartation. Agree with me please for the kind of impartation that moves believers into new paradigms and lifestyles of obedience. Thanks for coming with me! Friday 10 a.m.: Arrived safely into Bogota last night, my driver was waiting for me at the airport. Andres and I are sharing a small room in a decent hotel in Bogota. He has gone to the meeting now as he is speaking this morning. I'll join him at lunchtime. I find myself a bit short of breath at times -- which is explained by the fact that Bogota is over 1.5 miles high in elevaton. 5:00 p.m.: Andres did a great job speaking on fasting this morning, the folks really enjoyed him. About 1500 people in his session. The sanctuary holds 2000 people. This church is in 4 weekend services, going to 5. They have 150 people a week responding to the altar calls for salvation. Amazing what God is doing here. The pastors are delightful people, he's a third generation Missionary Kid (Australian), his wife is Colombian. 11:20 p.m.: The Lord just decided to bless us all tonight by anointing the message in an unusual way. Very strong. I spoke on the sprinkling of blood. The message dovetailed beautifully with the way Danilo Montero had led the worship time, it was powerful. Thanks for leaning into this with us. Andres did an awesome job of interpreting, what a blessing to have him here! Next session is Saturday 11:30 a.m., the closing session of the conference. (We're in the same time zone here as Kansas City.) Saturday 6:30 p.m.: The Devotion conference was very successful, it seemed, in every way. Lots of good responses. This morning's closing session went well. The anointing level wasn't like last night, but that's OK, that's the Lord's business. I was just seeking to be obedient to His leading. I spoke on the theme of the bride of Christ, Rev. 22:17, on our identity as the bride being our primary identity in the last days. And I spoke on the necessity of keeping the first commandment in first place. One reason the response was more reserved today, I suspect, may be because these are not common themes in this part of the world, so they were processing ideas they hadn't heard before. I came away satisfied in my heart that I was responsive to the Lord's leading. Tomorrow morning we go to another church, Sin Muros, where Cesar Fajardo is pastor. It will be great to reconnect with them, and to share with the saints there. I'm hanging back in my room now to prepare for that. Sunday 5:00 p.m.: Had a great time this morning with Cesar & Claudia Fajardo and their church family at Sin Muros. The Lord helped me in the preaching of the word, I spoke on endurance, we heard encouraging responses. Afterwards we enjoyed a delightful lunch with the pastors, and I even had a chance to play their piano in their home. Bogota is a delightful city, and the Colombian people--well, I've fallen in love with them. I will always carry Colombia in my heart now.