Living God's Dream for a GenerationBrian Williams - 19 Sep 2012

Six years ago I stumbled into this place called a “Prayer Room” on the Campus of Ohio State University. Scattered over the walls were paintings, drawings, and prayers written in cryptic font. Phrases such as “I see bones, you see an army” of splattered blood red paint, covered various canvases all over the room. A giant world map with oil stained fingerprints hung from the wall beneath the words “Ask Me for the Nations”. It was all a bit much for a 20-year-old college student to comprehend; it was weird, yet I wanted it, all of it.

Soon I realized there was a community of people, madly in love with Jesus, who called this place home. I became a man here. I met Jesus here. I discovered true beauty and God’s dream for my generation.

Fast forward to today. As a 26 yr old male, who once lived for the “American dream” I find myself living for God’s dream. As a student I was heavily involved with Campus America, an initiative of 24-7 Prayer to put prayer rooms on every campus in the nation. It may have seemed foolish, but I’m glad someone had faith to believe in Jesus. Here I am as a result, leading a community of prayer in the heart of the city of Columbus, OH.

Much like my experience 6 years ago on the college campus, each week dozens of students, former gang members, and the like, gather to encounter Jesus in a place we call Hope City House of Prayer. We scream wildly, we drink lots of coffee, we sing passionately, we follow closely, and we’re learning to love each other deeply. Our lives are ruined for the better.

Each week we hold 50 hours worth of prayer meetings, crying out for mercy and justice in our generation. It’s miraculous. This is the result of a heart transplant. Through Jesus-centered prayer, mission, and justice we are bringing hope to the most hopeless people in our city. We‘re located in one of the roughest spots around town, yet many of the locals are realizing the truth of about Jesus. He’s more than just a man on a cross, He’s the living God and His power is present to transform the most broken of lives. This dream of citywide transformation was birthed in a little prayer room, and by God’s grace the valley of dry bones is becoming an army of love.