Jim & Melissa Marcum Intercessory Missions Update April 2017

Dear Friends & Family,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us and holding us up in prayer during this recent
stormy season in our life. We can say, as Paul did in 2 Cor. 4:8-9, We are afflicted in every way, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed. For the past 4 years our major ministry has been sowing in prayer, and now we have seen and
felt more clearly the sustaining power of the prayers of others YOUR prayers. There were hours and days we
could barely go on, but then the grace would come no doubt, because someone prayed for us. We have
been in group prayer where hands were laid on us, and prayers lifted for us. What a strength we have felt
through the Body of Christ, coming to us in our time of need.

Most of you are aware that on Feb. 23, Jims dad passed away at age 79 from an 8-yr. battle with lung disease.
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Six days later on March 1 (the day after we returned to KC from Dads funeral), we received the heart-breaking
news that our granddaughter, Opal Elizabeth, had passed away at 8-months in the womb from umbilical cord
asphixia. That same day, Jim experienced what was the beginning of several physical attacks, which ended up
th
with an ER visit on March 11 with severe chest pain and fatigue. Tests showed no signs of heart problems,
praise the Lord! Jim is now under the care of a naturopathic doctor treating adrenal fatigue, gastric ulcer, and
pain/inflamation in his chest & ribs. The attacks are subsiding and he is regaining his strength little by little.

Though we have shed many tears the past 6 weeks, we have been able to find joy as well, as we have seen our
family rise up, pull together, and lean in to the Lord. We are so proud of Jims mom, and the strength she has
shown she is an example to us all. She and Dad had been married 60 years, and what a blessing they have
both been to our whole family, the picture of a loving marriage and of devotion to the Lord. And words cannot
express our pride in our son and daughter-in-law, Jordan & Sarah. Their courage has been amazing, their trust
in the Lord unshakeable, and through their sadness they have spoken a clear message of faith God is good,
all the time. They have said that although they miss not getting to be Opals earthly parents, they rejoice that
they were able to give her life and to have her for a short time. And they rejoice that she will never experience
the pains & troubles of life on earth, but will always and only know the joy of being in heaven with Jesus.

While we have not been as busy as usual in this season, we do have a few items to report on. Thank you all so
much for bearing with us and for upholding us. We close this section by sharing a Scripture that has come to us
and strengthened us many times these past few weeks: In all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:37-39)
-Love, The Marcums

Finishing strong, another 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

Each Spring and Fall, the 40 Days for Life Team assembles
groups from around the world to stand for Life in front of
abortion clinics in their areas. This year, in KC, we had more
groups stand with us than ever before! Different churches,
organizations, and families, will Adopt a Day to make their
stand for Life, some taking a couple days, and some even one
day every week for the 40 days.

Our time this campaign was every Thursday, and I (Melissa)

wanted to share an encouraging story with you that happened.
One morning as our team was standing and praying, a woman
Melissa & Betty along with others standing for LIFE. who was driving by stopped to ask what we were doing. When
she found out our purpose, she asked if she could join us. Come to find out, she was visiting from Colorado and
staying in a hotel down the road. She drove back to her hotel to get warmer clothing and a heavy coat (it was very
cold and windy that day) and then returned to stand and pray with us for the next two hours. We were all blessed to
be there that day, and it showed us that we are making a difference even in the hearts and minds of the community
around us.
We led worship at both the opening and closing rallies, and at the closing rally the
Lord did something very special. We began with the song I Believe in Jesus, which
has the lyrics I believe that Hes here now, standing in our midst, with the power to
heal now, and the grace to forgive. Jim spoke just before we sang and encouraged us
all to sing this as a prayer for women whove been through the pain and trauma of
abortions as a healing prayer over them. An older woman stepped forward after the
song to say she needed to share that she had been through an illegal abortion in 1968
as a young woman and had never been to a rally like this but she thanked us all for
what we were doing. The leader of our Life Runners group said, Maam, can we
pray for you? She said yes, and then he said, Why dont we have any post-abortive
women here whod like prayer to come to the center. Eight or so women stepped
forward, and we all circled around them to pray. Many tears flowed and there was a
healing presence so strong in the atmosphere. Another woman shared her testimony Leading worship at the rally
as well after we prayed (perhaps well share it next month!). God touched many lives.

Another exciting time we were able to be a part of this last month was our FIRST womens conference at IHOPKC. Our
whole community pulled together to host about 2,000 women from across the nation for a three day conference featuring
special speakers Lisa Bevere and Heidi Baker. Other speakers included some of our local women (and men), Dana
Chandler, Naomi Thomas, Diane & Mike Bickle, Allen Hood and a few others leading breakout sessions. Also, many of
our local worship leaders led in some amazing times of praise and adoration. We were personally blessed to host a
couple of friends at our house during the conference. Thank you, Kandace and Missy (and Evangeline), for honoring us
with your presence!

The conference main sessions were held at our church building, Forerunner Christian Fellowship, with a simulcast
(created to handle the overflow of registrations) and some of the breakouts held at the IHOPU Campus. Jim and I helped
our Bookstore Staff build an amazing store reminiscent of Onething (our yearly Christmas-break conference hosting
16,000-20,000 attendees at the KC Convention Center), doubling the inventory of our regular church store location. With
about half of the women stating that this was their first time to visit IHOPKC, we were blessed to be able to share our
many resources with them and equip them to grow in their relationship with Jesus through great books, teaching series,
and wonderful worship CDs. I worked many long hours in preparation and during the conference, but was totally blessed
seeing the smiles of and hearing the stories from all the precious women who stopped in to shop. Jim helped keep the
store stocked and kept things running on the administration side. Its fun to get to work together, along with the other
ministries we participate in together!

The presence of God was tangible and kept growing throughout the three days as the speakers shared their hearts and the
heart of the Lord for the women there. Many were healed, restored and rejuvenated as they in turn poured their hearts out
back to Jesus and received all that He had for them. This anointing continued into our Sunday morning service
immediately following the conference and we had a wonderful time of worship, prayer, and sharing that lasted the whole
service and circumvented the message. We were blessed that our leadership knew how to navigate Gods presence and
allow our whole community to share in the GLORY!

Last word: If any would like to send a special gift at this time, it would be so appreciated. Between ER visit and
doctor/dentist bills (Jim has also had to have a root canal & crown), weve experienced $2,175 in unexpected
expenses. We are trusting the Lord will provide! Until next time, please keep in touch were praying for you!

Because He is worthy of it all, Jim & Melissa Marcum

P.O. Box 1099, Grandview, MO 64030

Jim & Melissa Phone/text: 816-287-3525 / 816-287-2228

Email/PayPal: intercessorymissions@gmail.com
Egiving:www.ihopkc.org/give/staffsupport (JM204009)
Jim & Melissa Marcum International House of Prayer Kansas City, MO