by Jason Hershey | May 20, 2016 | 24/7 worship, community, house of prayer, jason, News Update
Yesterday was day 250 since we kicked off David’s Tent DC on September 11, 2015. It’s also day 250 of a community of staff that lived in communal housing growing up together in the love of Jesus. I want to draw this blogs attention to the latter.
I sense the Father’s watchful, hopeful eyes on this group of full-time staff that have created a backbone that the 350+ other worship teams could build upon in the last 250 days.
It’s been very clear from the beginning that our primary motivator for doing David’s Tent is simply the worthiness of Jesus, as an offering to Him. We have fought hard (sometimes losing) to mobilize without using the common candies of the “significance of thisone,” popularity of men, desperation of America, or promise of blessing as the reasons for mobilizing our nation to this perpetual gathering in DC. The driving question has been, “Will America respond to simply the worth of God?”
And yet, I do believe, that if our motives are right, 24/7 worship and prayer in our Capital will release a great spiritual breakthrough in the United States, a great blessing to give back to the Lord. America is in fact in need of that! Day and night worship and prayer is a spiritual weapon (bombs away!) that does in fact demolish strongholds that set themselves up against the knowledge of God.
Meanwhile, in the inner city of Washington, behind the scenes of David’s Tent DC, there is another spiritual uranium beginning to be enriched each day, radiating the authentic glory of Jesus. The full time staff live in 4 community houses of 8-10 staff in each house. Each house has a married couple as the house leaders, with a bunch of singles. The community/discipleship house model was adopted to house the staff primarily out of economic reasons. How do a bunch of unemployed full-time volunteer missionaries live in a city that’s so expensive?
What I’m finding, is that we unintentionally stumbled upon a treasure!
“Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! What’s this?!”
The Kingdom is advancing in these united communities. I will dare to say that I’m witnessing a bond of friendship and love growing that few truly taste in the western church that so treasures our personal space at the expense of real heart connection. We bring in a teacher one week per month to impart into us to keep us from getting isolated as a whole community and keep us growing. We are all being fashioned into children worthy of the Father’s call. It’s been glorious!
I don’t want to make the impression that it’s all roses and no thorns though. Community living should not be over-romanticized, nor should it be avoided like the plague. Like any cross, it leads to true rewards. God is at work in the lives of our staff. I’m watching all of us being changed day by day, more into the likeness of Jesus. In the rubbings, testings and real workings out of personality conflicts is coming a community that is becoming truly one in real fellowship with one another that care deeply about each other’s heart status.
This stokes my jets equally as much at the 24/7 worship tent downtown. Let me tell you why.
Ephesians 3:10 says “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.”
When the true church arises in real fellowship with one another, as one unified body of Christ, having laid hold of the gift of an unoffendable heart, and loving one another with agape love birthed from The Holy Spirit… Look out! The church becomes the teacher and the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms become the students. We get to make known to them the manifold wisdom of God. That’s spiritual breakthrough!
So the song goes on.
But so does the community.
Love God.
Love your Brother.
Love your Neighbor.
Above all these things, put on love. (Col 3:14)
Love conquers all. Boom!
For His Glory, Always,
by Ryan Montgomery | May 11, 2016 | 24/7 worship, News Update
“Why here?” they ask me.
It’s one of the most common questions I get at David’s Tent from curious passers-by. Why worship in a little white vinyl tent through rain, snow, storms, wind, dust, mud, freezing cold, blazing heat, and all kinds of logistical difficulties when there are dozens of beautiful, climate controlled, and convenient churches in Washington DC to choose from? Why worship in congested downtown Washington DC at all? Wouldn’t somewhere with easier access work just fine? Why go through the hardship and expense of holding this event on the National Mall? Isn’t the worship we give Him from our bedroom or bathtub just as valuable?
I answer with a smile. It’s all about making Jesus central! Yes, the worship we give Him in private blesses His heart just as much. But there is something unique about this public, national expression of David’s Tent.
In my mind, worshipping on the National Mall is significant for three key reasons (though I’m sure we could think of more). We worship here to give Him the place of highest honor, to present a public witness of Jesus, and to foster unity among the Body of Christ. These reasons have so captured my heart that I’ve dedicated my life, my family, my time, and my finances to facilitating this 24/7 love song. Nothing else could motivate me to leave career by the wayside and live by faith, with my pregnant wife and baby boy sharing a community staff house with seven other adults, spending my days singing praises to God in a simple white tent. I am utterly convinced that Jesus truly is worthy of all our devotion, right here on The Mall in Washington DC!
The Place of Honor
The capital city of any nation is usually best known as the seat of governmental power. The capital is a place of dignity, authority, power, and honor. Lobbyists, charities, businesses, and organizations often choose to place a major office in the capital in order to gain national influence. Wouldn’t it make sense that if we want Jesus to transform our nation on a national scale we should set up a hosting place for His presence in Washington DC?
Though it’s true, and it sounds good, that’s not the whole picture! Jason Hershey teaches that the primary identity of a capital city is as a center for national worship first, even before national influence.
Psalm 122:3-5 says:
“Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.” (ESV)
We see here that before Jerusalem was known as the place of David’s throne, it was known as the gathering place for the tribes to come and worship. In no way are we saying that Washington DC replaces Jerusalem. However, the model David set up with his tabernacle of worship in Jerusalem brought blessing upon his government and nation, and we can still follow that pattern in our nation today!
Right now, America has it backwards. Our city of highest honor, Washington DC, is best known as a place where politicians struggle for power to push their own prominence or agenda. Shouldn’t this city first be known as a city that honors God? Doesn’t all the power belong to Jesus anyway? He doesn’t need our weak human politics to accomplish anything. He is the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords! He can move anywhere, anytime, and use anyone to complete His will.
It’s time to turn things around to how they’re meant to be! When we enthrone Jesus on our praises in Washington DC, we reclaim the identity of our capital city as a place of honor for Him first. Our nation will be most blessed when we build from that foundation. When we go through the challenges of acquiring permitting or fighting through weather challenges to host 24/7 worship outdoors, we are declaring that He is worthy of a lavish offering of national praise! Our intentionality to make Him central in our capital city, whatever the cost, brings Him a degree of honor we can’t give Him any other way. That’s why I’m here. In my mind, the worth of Jesus obligates us as a nation to pour out this “alabaster jar” of worship. I’ve felt the call to dedicate my life to see this happen. This is why we host David’s Tent, simply because He’s worthy!
In my next blog I’ll be continuing on this theme of “Why Here?” and sharing why I believe the public witness of David’s Tent is so critical. My heart has been forever marked by this vision. I look forward to having the opportunity to share with you soon! In the meantime, I challenge you to look at your own life and see where and how you can give Jesus the place of highest honor personally, wherever you are. Let’s respond to the worth of Jesus and make Him central in every area of our lives!
Abundant blessings,
Ryan Montgomery
P.S. To be completely honest, a lot of what I’m writing in this blog is heavily influenced by Jason Hershey’s book “David’s Tent: Jesus is Worthy of a Nation’s Praise.” I’d strongly encourage you to pick up a copy at www.davidstentdc.org if you’re interested in reading more. It’s changed my life, and I know it will change yours too!
by Derek Packard | Mar 30, 2016 | News Update, 24/7 worship, jason
Today is the 200th day of David’s Tent DC running 24/7 on the National mall.*
The St Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin who have been praying 24/7 for 137 years would have every right to smirk a little, but for us in DC, this is a huge victory and to be celebrated greatly! Hundreds of worship teams and thousands of people have come to worship and pray at David’s Tent DC since the kickoff Sept 11 of last year. Thank you all to have participated, prayed, given financially or have been a part in any way!
As I reflect on the 200 day benchmark, I’ve been struck by one thing. The gratitude for our 40 full-time staff. Many of them don’t have a cent to their name, and aren’t even able to pay their housing fee to stay here, incurring debt to be faithful as a priest. Yet not one of them is expendable. We are in desperate need of more staff, like the desert needs the rain. If even 2 or 3 of them would leave, we could not continue.
These staff are the most selfless servant hearts I’ve ever had the honor to lead. The community of people that make David’s Tent possible for our nation are, in my estimation, holding the line of true intercession (standing in the gap) as sacrificial as any community of believers I know or have ever known. They are true intercessors that have laid down their lives, pride, comfort, futures, and ambition to be united as a team to intercede 24/7 for America to be awakened in Christ. They live together in discipleship houses of 10 people each, in bunk beds. It’s the only way to for us to economically exist in this city. I have so much hope for America because of these 40 dedicated men and women who have created a platform for the thousands of others that have each taken their watch before the Lord.
As I rejoice in David’s Tent DC’s 200th day, I don’t take one day for granted. I know it could end tomorrow. It’s only the bond of unity in Christ that our community of full-time staff have with one another that keeps this intercessory song going up to the Worthy One. Unity is so fragile, with the devil roaring like a lion to divide.
I know the reality. All it takes is for one person to have a morale failure of some sort (something simple like continuously not honoring authority) and then all the others judgement on how the leadership is to be handling that to be different. No matter how the leadership deals with it or doesn’t do anything, people could leave offended. David’s Tent ends, for lack of full time staff needed.
Unity is as fragile as a child’s bubble coasting gently in the breeze. It can be popped so easily. It must be fought for and protected BY ALL!
The bond of love must cover us in moments like that. We must forgive, let go of our judgments, choose to trust and keep our eyes back on the prize of the One Thing of gazing on His Beauty. (Psalm 27:4)
This is my conclusion: David’s Tent DC is riding solely on the bond of love, in Christ, that our community has with one another. But it’s bigger than that. This is a small parable for the whole of America.
Revival in all of America – the church of America rising victorious in this hour, is also hanging so precariously on this same bond. We must choose love, for the sake of Christ, and keep going forward bringing His wonderful kingdom…. Or? I wince to think of what happens to our country if the church does not unite in this hour.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another. That your joy would be full.”
By His Grace we will race into day 201, riding bareback on the bond of love, in and for Christ Jesus our Lord. I pray that Jesus would give us the strength to hang on and not fall off this racehorse called: The Bond of Love.
“’Bond of Love is in the lead, coming into the final stretch! It’s a win for ‘Bond of Love’!!!”
You can bet on that horse. If the jockey, the bride of Christ, can simply hang on.
He is Worthy of a Unified Bride,
Jason Hershey
*For journalistic integrity there were 7 days during winter storm Jonas that we moved inside to a prayer room on Capital Hill, but the song never stopped.
![New #iamdavidstent Video]()
by Derek Packard | Aug 28, 2015 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
David’s Tent is a single, unending song of love to Jesus Christ. Thousands of worshippers will descend on Washington, DC to bring their offering of praise. Will you be one? Check out our latest #iamdavidstent video!
by Jason Hershey | Aug 10, 2015 | 24/7 worship, jason, News Update, Uncategorized
This week our core team in DC has launched a new hashtag: #iamDavidsTent. Currently we are gathering the volunteer army to make David’s Tent DC a reality. We are inviting the ones that are filled with passion for Jesus and valor enough to lay their lives down for 14 months, in order to set the table for this lavish 10,000 hour offering and to see America changed.
This past week, we released a video of Karl Hammonds. Karl has already responded to the call and is here in DC with us helping build the structures that will make this all work. The video ends with Karl declaring, “I am David’s Tent.”
This declaration is one that we want to see blasted across our generation. We know from scripture that the main purpose of King David’s tent in Jerusalem was to host the Presence of God (The ark of the covenant – 1 Chronicles 16:1).
In the new covenant that Jesus gave us, we know that our individual lives are to have the same purpose— to be a temple – a dwelling for the Holy Spirit, the Presence of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19). We also know together as the body of Christ we corporately have the same purpose, being built together as a spiritual house as priests to Him. (1 Peter 2:5)
You are David’s Tent.
I am David’s Tent.
We are David’s Tent.
Jason Hershey
