Breakthrough conducted its first prayer school in 1986. It was held at the Dulles Airport Marriott Hotel. Considerable prayer went into the effort for about a year before the event actually took place. The event turned out to be a resounding success with 106 people attending from around our nation as well as a few from Canada, Europe, and one from Africa.
Our faith was tested, however, when our keynote speaker, Betty Maltz, a Christian writer, was delayed in her flight from North Dakota. Her airplane caught fire when one of the engines ignited and the plane had to return to the airport.
Word of this situation reached us an hour before the conference was to begin. I remember asking Len LeSourd, “What are we going to do? All of these people have come a great distance for this prayer conference and we have no speaker.” He looked at me quite calmly and said, “Don’t worry, we have good people.” This gave me a strange peace about the situation. Of course, we all prayed fervently for Betty’s safe arrival and participation at the conference.
God answered our prayers and Betty arrived only 37 minutes after our starting time. She launched into her teaching and we were all blessed by her message and personality. The conference went on for two more days with Betty and other speakers bringing God’s word and encouragement to us. It was deemed a huge success—thanks be to Jesus!
From this beginning we determined we should have follow-up prayer schools each year in order to train our intercessors in the work of praying for others. As a result, prayer schools were held nearly every year with people attending from all around our nation and some foreign countries.
The beautiful Breakthrough Intercessor magazine has also gone through quite an evolution over the years. In the beginning, it was actually a newsletter of very few pages. Its content was always of the best Christian quality, however, with great stories and instruction in prayer and thanksgiving. At that time it reflected the old saying, “It’s not the quantity but the quality that counts.”
Breakthrough has always enjoyed top quality writers, editors, and journalists in its ranks and at its disposal. It has always sought to edify its readers and intercessors, then and now. The magazine and newsletter’s primary purpose, like the prayer schools, has always been to educate and encourage intercessors throughout the world.
Over the years, Breakthrough has experienced times of distinct famine and hardship. But through it all, God righted the ship, allowing Breakthrough to fulfill God’s will and purpose in the ministry of intercessory prayer. God brings His people (board members, staff, executive directors, etc.) to work within the ministry and then moves them on to other pursuits—all within His timing and design.
Throughout the years the ministry grew and became more innovative and creative to suit the needs and expanding technology of computer systems.
Breakthrough, being a faith-based ministry, has always depended on loving donations to fund its operations and pay its staff. Even though God seemed to often keep it on the edge, He is always faithful in meeting the needs in His time.
Today Breakthrough continues to serve those requesting prayer along with those called and willing to pray for them. Problems and issues will always arise but God shows the way after fervent prayer.
Through trials and testings, He keeps us humble and on our knees so we will continue to depend on our loving Provider for answers, solutions, and provision.
Thank you Lord Jesus. May Breakthrough continue as long as You require and may Your chosen ones be obedient to answer the call to pray. Amen and amen.
Is something on your heart?
Six intercessors will pray for your request for 21 days.
