by Rebecca Montgomery | Oct 6, 2013 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
Dear Friends,
My two oldest boys, 6 & 7 years old, saw a huge hole in an otherwise cloud-covered sky, right above David’s Tent DC.
“Dad, we think that God is listening to the music through that hole!”
I do have to say that I sense His nearness to us at David’s Tent in a very special way. It seems like He is personally watching over us. Somehow through all the happenings in DC since we began, David’s Tent DC has remained hidden, unhindered, safe and sound!
David’s Tent has never stopped! Claiming the 1st amendment, the National Park Service (NPS) has allowed us to stay and keep going throughout the shut-down of the federal government. The National Mall is eerily empty, but there on the White House Ellipse stands David’s Tent DC, nestled in behind the trees, blazing a love song to Jesus!
It’s been a “ponder these things in my heart like Mary” moment. How ironic: The Government shuts down and a 24-7 worship congress to Jesus continues! We rejoice in the favor that God has given us – both with the NPS and the Secret Service.
Equally astounding is the hiddenness from news media! How is it that they are missing this big white music tent, blazing shamelessly, in stark contrast to the quiet, evacuated National Mall?
We did come close to losing our cover though! John McCormack of the weekly standard tweeted this below on Tuesday, making light of the sign that is posted at the White House Ellipse because of David’s Tent. If only he knew what’s behind and to the right of that flaming sword! That tweet was then re-blasted by the Drudge Report.
This past Thursday afternoon we were temporarily evacuated from the Ellipse, due to a security issue related to the tragedy on Capitol Hill that started at the White House. All the worshippers at David’s Tent simply walked, guitars in hand, to the perimeter the Secret Service had created and kept on singing for the next four hours. The song never stops! When the evacuation time was complete, we took the song back into the tent!
Thank you for your prayers. David’s Tent is alive and well! We pray grace would fall like rain over all those who live and work in DC!
Please come worship with us!
Singing for Jesus,
Jason Hershey
People, I am not making this up
by Rebecca Montgomery | Oct 4, 2013 | house of prayer
Yesterday afternoon we were evacuated to the sidewalk of Constitution Avenue for close to 5 hours as a result of a car chase that started at the White House and ended at the Capitol Building yesterday afternoon. We had been evacuated before, but never for that long. I really want to honor the worshippers and the worship leaders that we were scheduled for those time slots. We got evacuated halfway through a worship set being led by a team of deaf worshippers. They were signing their way through the Psalms of praise and it was absolutely glorious when we were told that we’d need to leave. My husband Ryan grabbed a guitar and led us all to the sidewalk of Constitution Ave. where we continued to worship. Kari Olney from California continued to lead us in worshipping through the Psalms for the last hour of her watch right there on the sidewalk. It was absolutely beautiful how in the midst of the chaos, the blaring sirens and the tension of those moments the song of worship and praise was rising to Jesus the entire time. It was a place of peace and adoration of Jesus in the whirlpool of the heart of the city. I filmed a short video of Kari leading worship right as we got evacuated and if you watch it you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
After Kari and the team led worship, some of our staff continued the worship until John Amodea, a local worship leader, came to take
his set. He was scheduled for an amplified worship set under the tent and he was so flexible to change plans that quickly! He brought a large band and they were so gracious to change plans and lead worship on the sidewalk like that. They were scheduled for the 5-7 pm slot and we weren’t able to get back onto the Ellipse until 6:30 pm so most of their set was acoustic and on the side of the road. What flexibility! What love for Jesus that they would be so willing to change all their plans and worship the Lord on the side of Constitution Avenue! They were such a blessing to us and to the heart of Jesus too!
We’re back on the Ellipse now and worship has resumed as normal. Tonight we have a local band, Awaken Wells, leading worship for our corporate 7-9 pm set. We have been so blessed by the local community and how they’ve so supported David’s Tent and blessed us with their encouragement, prayers and worship teams. Although teams come from all over the nation to lead worship, at least 50% of the slots that are filled are filled by the local Washington, DC area churches and ministries. David’s Tent is truly an event that’s been put supported and initiated by ministries and churches all across DC and all across the nation.
Come out and join us as we continue to worship Jesus on the White House Ellipse. We’re currently on day 10 of our 1,000 hour love song. We’ll be on the Ellipse through November 5th day and night so join us anytime and bring your worship team to to lead worship with us! If you’d like to sign up for a worship set you can email: worship@davidstentdc.org. Thanks again for all your prayers, they make a difference!
Rebecca Montgomery
by Rebecca Montgomery | Oct 3, 2013 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
All are safe and sound at David’s Tent after a tension filled afternoon in Washington, DC. The heart of the city was on lockdown because of a car chase that started at the White House after a woman rammed the barricade, on the opposite corner of the White House Ellipse from where we are, and continued to the Capitol. Shots were fired at the Capitol and reports are still not sure exactly what happened.
We were evacuated to the sidewalk of Constitution Avenue around 2 pm, during the middle of a set being led in American Sign Language, and we continued to worship. I had to leave at 4 pm and we still weren’t back on the ellipse at that time. We’re not sure when we’ll be back, but we’re expecting it to be soon. Even though we’re on the street for a bit we grabbed a guitar and the song continues!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers. We know that your prayers are powerful and make a difference! Please continue to pray for us and for the city of Washington, DC today.
Rebecca Montgomery
by Rebecca Montgomery | Oct 3, 2013 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
In the midst of the government shutdown Jesus is still moving! David’s Tent is still open and the song is still going on. It’s been a wild couple of days as the entire National Mall is barricaded off and shut down except for our event on the Ellipse. But through it all God is moving and drawing people to himself!
On Monday night one of our staff led a tourist from New Zealand to the Lord. He had come to the tent the day before and encountered Jesus but wasn’t ready to give his life to Him. He came back the next day, spent some time worshipping with us in the tent and gave his life to the Lord that night! The presence of the Lord is truly drawing people in and transforming their lives. This testimony was super encouraging to our team and I hope it will be to you as well! When we enthrone Jesus on our praises He comes and He changes things! I believe that this testimony is an encouragement to all of us that God is moving even as we lift His name up in the center of our nation’s capital.
Things are going well here at the tent. Worshippers continue to come from all over the nation to worship with us and the presence of the Lord just keeps getting sweeter. If you’re not already following us on Instagram, you can follow us at: davidstentdc. We’ll be posting live photos and videos from the worship sets around the clock. It’s a great way to see what’s going on at David’s Tent right then!
Please continue to keep David’s Tent in your prayers and covering our staff with prayer! We need it! :)
Rebecca Montgomery
by Rebecca Montgomery | Oct 1, 2013 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
Dear Friends,
I am learning every day to never take Davids Tent for granted. David’s Tent DC is on the WhiteHouse Ellipse which is technically a
National Park. As the Government begins to shutdown, National Parks across the nation are closing and requiring all to leaveSo whatwill happen with David’s Tent? We are now in the midst of the 7th day, about 160 hours into this 1000 hour love song. Last night I had a “on my knees” moment as I came to the reality that I may need to go to back-up plans if we get kicked off the Ellipse.
This morning we received word from the National Park Service (NPS), that so far, we can remain! Praise God! Again, in technicality, we are permitted as a 1st amendment* religious demonstration. Therefore, we not only have permission, but (it seems) we have a right to do David’s Tent. We will now be supervised by the Secret Service, as all the NPS staff are off until further notice.
So the Government shuts down…. But the Song goes on! Praise the Lord! **
We will do all we can to keep the song rising as incense to the Lord. As all this is going on in DC, in the midst of David’s Tent, I’ve been been reminded that we are in a spiritual war, not a battle of flesh and blood. As you pray for Washington, DC and Davids Tent, please email us the prayers, scriptures and what you are receiving from the Lord! We love to hear from you! Thank you for keeping us girded up in prayer and encouragement! Come worship with us!
For the Glory of Jesus,
Jason Hershey
*The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
**Revelation paints a great picture of the reign of Jesus. The King on the throne, with elders, angels, living creatures and people from all nations gathered around! They have their harps of worship and bowls of prayers! The four living creatures never stop saying, “Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” The governmental cabinet meeting of the King of Kings is a worship and prayer service that never stops! This is part of what drives me to contend for 24/7/365 worship in Washington DC. We want the government of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, released in this city. We know the inner circle generator of all we do in the Kingdom is worship and prayer! His Kingdom will never shut down!
by Rebecca Montgomery | Sep 29, 2013 | 24/7 worship, house of prayer, News Update
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ….For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133: 1, 3b
Unified praise is powerful. When the people of God come together to worship across denominational lines, across state lines and beyond our own church walls something shifts in the spiritual realm. No matter our backgrounds or church denominations we can all agree on this one thing–Jesus is worthy of our worship.
Last year the unity that I saw at David’s Tent was astounding. We had gospel choirs, punk rock groups, singer songwriters and hymn-sings. We had people from all denominations and organizations and the unity that was displayed was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. This year we’re seeing the exact same thing. Yesterday afternoon a “go-go” band led worship. Go-Go is often called the sound of DC. t’s a style that’s characterized by a drum beat that just never stops going! Go-Go bands are notorious for playing for 4, 6, 8 hours at a time without stopping. How fitting for an event where the music just keeps going for 1,000 hours!
The diversity in musical styles and denominations does nothing to hinder our unity, it only adds to it! I once heard it said that unity without diversity isn’t unity, it’s conformity. It’s true!
“1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”….4 That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord—to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.” Psalm 122: 1, 4-5
I love how it first states that Jerusalem is the place where the tribes go up to worship, and secondly the place of government. Now that’s making Jesus central! In the same way, we believe that Washington, DC, the governmental seat of America, is also the place where the tribes of America should come up to worship! The worship capital and the governmental capital! Come up and worship with us this fall through Nov. 5th.
Rebecca Montgomery
