Our Story

History of the Prayer Movement

Around 1000 BC, King David established a tabernacle in Jerusalem and set a precedent of night and day worship before the Lord that continued at various times throughout Israel and Judah’s history. Each time this order of worship was reintroduced, spiritual breakthrough, deliverance and military victory followed. Likewise, throughout the centuries, groups in Ireland, Germany, South Korea, and elsewhere across the globe have established day and night centers of prayer and worship. Following in this tradition, in 2003 the Greater Toledo House of Prayer started a prayer and worship meeting in Toledo.

History of GTHOP

In February of 2004, Denise Emerine, Director of GTHOP, and a small group of intercessors began meeting two times a week, going house to house crying out to God in prayer and worship. Thirteen months later, in March of 2005, the group visited IHOP-KC (International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO) to get confirmation on whether or not they should build GTHOP (Greater Toledo House of Prayer). There they received prayer from Mike Bickle, which brought forth the confirmation they sought. They were then introduced to an intercessor named Rick Rupp, who became their mentor.

One year later, in March of 2006, the prayer and worship expanded to approximately 10 hours a week, sometimes less, sometimes more. With a small but extremely committed core of intercessors, singers, and musicians, they vowed to seek the face of God until He desired to bring expansion; for the next four years they did just that.

In January of 2010, the Lord began to fill GTHOP with a lot of new intercessors, singers, and musicians! In the matter of weeks, the hours of operation more than tripled!

GTHOP (Greater Toledo House of Prayer) is committed to praying for the release of the fullness of God’s power and purpose as we actively win the lost, heal the sick, feed the poor, make disciples, and impact the seven spheres of society (family, education, government, economy, arts, media, and religion). Our vision is to work in relationship with the larger Body of Christ to serve the Great Commission, as we seek to walk out the two great commandments to love God and people.