2.14.2007

The Beans: spilled edition

Back in September, I posted this note about our coming involvement with The Call. A few weeks later, two things happened that put that all on pause. One was the arrival of our gorgeous daughter, which effectively put our whole life on pause. The second was a shift in plans that made it clear to us that we were not to lead The Call Nashville. Not wanting to get ahead of the Lord, we happily set it aside.

Fast forward a few months.
The Nashville Call plans are well underway. We're in Kansas City loving our kids and feeling good about how it all landed, when we were asked to lead The Call events in other cities...starting in San Francisco on Labor Day weekend, with many to follow.

Without going into the whole story for the forty third time on this blog, Labor Day weekend will mark the seventh anniversary of the original Call DC - and the seventh anniversary of our first trek to Burning Man. The significance of spending the seventh year doing The Call in San Francisco, where Burning Man is headquartered, is huge to us.

So what's that mean?
First of all, it does not mean we move or disconnect from IHOP. I will be wearing two hats (still no hair), one as IHOP leader and another as Director of The Call Regionals office. We will remain intercessory missionaries, sort of on administrative loan to The Call without having to relocate or give up the 24/7 prayer room. This is a good, good thing.

It will mean scouting locations, working with local leaders, and organizing solemn assemblies of 20,000 people in various major US cities. It will mean deciphering contracts and fasting and cheering on the troups and raising funds and praying like crazy that 20,000 people will come together to fast and pray like crazy.

It will mean that I set aside my role as marketing director at IHOP, but keep our role as Omega directors and executive director of short term training programs (internships). It will mean going back and forth seamlessly between camps - something the Lord spoke to us many, many years ago.

Soon, I'll be heading out to meet with local leaders, look at venues, hang with the JHOP-SF team, and pop in on my Burning Man peeps. How's that for a fun 48 hours.

So there you have it. The Call is on.
In September, I'll see you in San Francisco...yes, with a flower in my hair.

22 comments:

Fairing Well said...

Very cool! I would like to be the first to officially invite you to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Deal? Deal. I will let the guys in orange shirts know you will be calling them soon;)

Anonymous said...

San Fran... reall cool... like ice or something else cool... cool like that...

Michelle Van Loon said...

Our family was at the Call DC with our church from WI. Though we no longer live there, and our 3 kids have had some wild journeys in their lives since then, I still mark that time on the mall as a high water mark for us - and it is a holy committment that has marked us for Him.

Anonymous said...

I second the Cincinnati motion! Just think, all the Skyline you can eat...

Anonymous said...

We'll be there! - The Call DC!
Enjoy your new 'creative landscape'.
Gretchen

Randy Bohlender said...

Ah - no Paul Brown Stadiums for us. We're thinking Cinci Gardens scale. Hmmm. Skyline.

Theresa said...

Thanks for the news about the Call. We went to the last one in San Fransisco, we will be sure to come to this one. We live near Sacramento. We will be praying for favor with all the organization and pray that many hungry hearts come to pray.

Esther Irwin said...

Does this mean you are going to release the album on announcements? :) Sounds like a great opportunity that you called to do.

Fairing Well said...

ok..no paul brown stadium...How about St. Elizabeth's in Norwood;) That could work, right Brocks? or old st. george?? Work with me here;)We will kick in graeters with the skyline if you want...

Anonymous said...

darn it i was gonna guess that it had something to do with call.

Anonymous said...

Hi Randy-

I could not help but comment on this blog. I'm a journalist and prayer room staff at IHOP. I moved to KC from San Fancisco last summer and am so excited to hear about the news of a Call.

If you want some advice on great sushi or places to check out while in the city let me know. I can also point you to some fantastic coffee shops.

And just out of curiosity, who is taking over your marketing job?

Anonymous said...

Randy - You are going to be excellent at your new role. I'm excited for the season the Lord is taking you into.

Liz said...

Awesome. Let me know when you need help with Atlanta.

P said...

Danie and I decided I would go to the Burning Man regionals in MAy, and then decide wether to go to the Big Burn in Sept. Now we will go to SF. How funny. Last time I was there... I think I did wear a flower. I dont know how to walk around that city without a tie dye and mocassin boots.

We are here to help. If you come out scouting, we are going up there to see you.

Jillian said...

holy macaroni and cheese!

i'm so stoked about the cali call! my husband and i are approaching elderly, 29 and 36, but still insist that we are part of the youth...hot diggity! the call had an incredible impact on my intimacy with the Lord and understanding of when He's speaking and moving.

cincinnati is presently an ice farm, but perhaps that could be part of the movement. "i'm freezing for Jesus!"
-jillian edington

Bren said...

How about shivering for souls?

Sumblimal message to Bohlenders

must come to Cincinnati
Must come to Cincinnati

repeat as needed

ChriS & Yvette Ferguson said...

Randy,

Awesome news and even more awesome opportunity to Pray for you and Kelsey and the whole clan. I urge all of your readers to rally prayer support for you. God is so awesome. For real gang...IHOP bloggers heed the call to prayer!

God's dreams over our lives are so much bigger than our own. I love His dreams!

Jillian said...

"Hiemal for Him"...anyone??

JoAnna said...

Randy, I am interested in our church's youth attending a Call. How do I find more information?

ps. love the site! I check it daily.. okay twice a day.. would you mind if I put a link from my blog to yours?

Randy Bohlender said...

JoAnna - more info coming soon.

Link at will! :) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

There's always the Giant Center in Hershey, PA!! The Call and chocolate, too!!

Matt Lockett said...

Let's be talking about Bound4LIFE at The Call regionals bro. We're blasting the life message at Nashville. C'mon!