Kansas City Church Raises $2M for Former IHOPKC Properties
The City KC Church in Raytown is raising $2 million to purchase two properties owned by the International House of Prayer Kansas City, “The Roys Report” reports. These include IHOPKC’s former sanctuary and a nearby property that matches the description of a former children’s center.
“Two incredible properties in Grandview, Mo., sitting on more than 38 acres of land have become available,” The City KC Pastor Armour Stephenson III said in a fundraising video.
“This is a redemptive moment. The very spaces the enemy once tried to destroy, God is now positioning his people to redeem, to bring purpose and power back into the places that were always meant for his glory.”
The first, a 52,000-square-foot building with a 1,400-seat sanctuary, is the former Forerunner Church on Grandview Road. Another unspecified property a few blocks away, he said, has 30 acres of land with a building with a large auditorium, classrooms, offices and a full commercial kitchen.
The church hopes to raise the money by December 15, according to its fundraising website.
“We need a little more cash,” Stephenson said in his video, “actually, a lot more. Before you panic, I want you to hear me out. This ain’t no setback, baby. This is a time for our faith to be stretched.”
Jackson County records show a $848,000 market value for Forerunner Church’s property, with an additional $415,000-valued parking lot next to it. The building and 28-acre property that used to house IHOPKC’s now-closed Children’s Equipping Center, also on Grandview Road, is valued at more than $1.1 million, county records show. Jackson County property listings show six additional IHOPKC-owned properties throughout Kansas City and outlying suburbs.
IHOPKC has been dwindling in size since October 2023, when accusations surfaced that its founder Mike Bickle sexually abused multiple women, including minors, as reported by Metro Voice. A third-party investigation reported that he abused 17 women and that other IHOPKC leaders “shielded perpetrators.” Bickle eventually apologized..
Stephenson said in his fundraising video that The City KC has been outgrowing its church building for the past few years and needs a new space. He also has a vision to transform both Kansas City and the world through a campaign called Aroma.
“The Aroma campaign is how we turn vision into reality — by building a house big enough for generations to encounter Jesus, discover purpose and spread his fragrance across Kansas City and beyond,” the church’s website said “It’s not just about raising money. We are also raising capacity for Jesus to change everything, everywhere.”
–Alan Goforth
