The Call
Burning Hearts Ministries was born out of a passion to pray for the nations.
After many years of pastoral ministry, Mike received a word from the Lord in 1995 that he was to give himself to the purpose of prayer and intercession (focused prayer for others).
Since that time, Mike's primary role has been to oversee intercession in the local church, as well as to lead short-term missions trips around the world.
The Lord began to speak to Mike and Darla about becoming intercessory missionaries and devoting themselves to praying and preaching around the world.
Since 1990, Mike has believed that someday he and Darla would transition from pastoral ministry into a capacity as intercessory missionaries.
In 2006, God began to reveal that this time was approaching and in response they started to prepare to enter the mission field on a more extended basis.
The Lord has also spoken to Mike and Darla about strengthening the foundations of every place they go. They will be working with local leadership, both in the U.S. and in countries abroad, supporting them in prayer; as well as preaching and bringing training and instruction in intercession, spiritual warfare and the prophetic.
The Lord revealed to Mike that Prophetic Declaration is like the bow of an ice- breaking ship that is designed to bring breakthrough. Intercession is the engine that runs that ship. We have had a lot of prophetic declaration, but often the power is lacking.
The Lord also showed Mike, in a vision, the strategy room of the enemy, where the phrase was written, “Stop intercession at all cost!” The enemy is greatly afraid of powerful focused intercession.
Why Scotland?
Mike has been involved in several short-term mission trips to Scotland, the first in 1980. Mike and Darla believe that the Lord has revealed to them that Scotland is the gateway to Europe and therefore the entire continent of Europe is directly connected to the intercession that happens from Scotland. Scotland, especially Glasgow, has nearly the highest crime rate, suicide rate and drug use in all of Europe. The country is inundated by paganism and the occult. All of this contributes to an atmosphere of extreme oppression and apathy. Scotland needs our prayers.
The Lord has also spoken prophetically to Mike & Darla that they are to help raise up, by their prayers and hands on ministry, what they believe the Lord is calling “The William Wallace Generation.” One day in prayer, Mike asked the Lord, “What is the answer for the oppression, depression and hopelessness that is prevalent in the country of Scotland?” The showed him the answer is that, like William Wallace, He was raising up a generation of young people (in their 20’s & 30’s) that will confront and change the very spiritual climate of the nation. William Wallace was just a young man of 23 when he won the battle at Sterling Bridge. He was estimated to be 6’ 7” tall, and he never pledged allegiance to the English king. By this, the Lord was indicating that He was raising up a young generation in Scotland that would be head and shoulders above the rest, that have never pledged allegiance to the world. They will rise up and change the nation. The Lord also gave Mike a dream that as he and Darla were ministering over this generation, they were unwrapping grave clothes from around them and releasing them into their call and destiny.
As Mike and Darla were in Scotland from September – December, 2008, the Lord spoke to Mike firmly and without question, “You must return!” Therefore, Mike and Darla are planning to spend at least the next two years in Scotland.
Why Europe?
At one time Africa was referred to as “Darkest Africa.” Now you could say the same about Europe. Europe is in what some have called a “Spiritual Ice Age.” The declaration of the Lord is that He is coming to break the ice. Europe has turned its back on the Lord, but the Lord hasn’t turned His back on Europe. Mike and Darla believe that there is a generation coming that will totally reject humanism and turn back to God. Europe needs our prayers.