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In March 2008, the Williams family was in a state of transition.  The family was living in Louisiana and was being called back to Wisconsin.  In the weeks before the move, Pastor Brad Williams who did not want to move back, was in prayer, and the Holy Spirit gave him a vision of a church that would be directed primarily to reach the younger generation.  This generation of believers would be set apart to God to foster an awakening in the region.  The church would be an Acts 2 Church.  These believers would live, speak, and manifest the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  The Gifts of the Spirit would be evident in their lives.  The church would be a House of Prayer. A church of intercessors; a church that moved the heart of God with a people that knew the heart of God.

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The vision was given in three parts.  In the first vision, Pastor Brad was standing on a plain wooden stage in an older large building with a high roof.  Like an industrial building.  He was looking out at the crowd gathered there.  There were hundreds if not a thousand individuals aged 18 to 35 years old with hands raised in the air outstretched to God fully abandoned to Him in worship.  

 

From that vision, Pastor Brad knew God was calling him to start a church to reach these people.

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In the 2nd vision, Pastor Brad was now standing in back of this crowd of young people with outstretched arms, and along the walls stood people of his generation; moms, dads, and others seasoned in Christ.  They stood smiling at what they saw.  They were the mentors and disciplers of those young people with arms raised.  The younger crowd was those who God was going to use to raise up another generation of people who were totally sold out to the Father in Heaven who kept themselves unblemished from the world.  They would be like Nazarites sent out to reach their generation for Christ.  

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In another vision, there was a Prayer Room with 24/7 worship and prayer.  It was in the Spirit of the Tabernacle of David.  The Furnace was to be a regional prayer/prophetic/healing center between Chicago and Milwaukee. There was a Dream Center where the homeless were cleaned, clothed, fed, sheltered and trained.  A place where anyone in need could receive food, clothing, and healthcare.  A sanctuary for battered women and children who would be ministered to with a place to live until they got on their feet again.  A place where trafficked women and girls could find shelter, and safety.

 

A blue light shown up from the complex in the night, so people knew intercession was going up to God, and the light was a beacon to follow to receive healing and freedom.  

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This vision was overwhelming to Brad, and he only told a few people about the vision.  He prayed to the Lord, "How can I do this?  Who am I? I do not have the skills to do this. I do not have the intellect, nor the training."  He tucked it away for seven years while pastoring in two different churches during that time. 

 

In 2014, Alyssa, Brad’s daughter returned from a One Thing Internship at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO.  She lived in a prayer environment for a year and half, and the Lord created her to be a worship leader there.  Upon return, she said the Lord was moving her to start a House of Prayer to reach her generation in Kenosha. She did not know the vision that the Lord spoke to her father, so thus it began. As a family, Brad, Barb, and Alyssa Williams with a small group of like-minded individuals; The Furnace Kenosha came into being, and we are believing in the Vision that God gave us.  There have been multiple prophecies over the church and the family confirming what God wishes to establish.  Those prophecies will be forthcoming on this site. 

 

The Furnace Kenosha is inspired by other Houses of Prayer in our Nation and abroad as well as Brad pastoring at Prayer House AG with friend and mentor Ron Auch Sr. The Furnace is an independent church that is committed to pray for the release of the fullness of God’s power and purpose, as we will actively win the lost, make disciples, heal the sick, feed the poor, and impact every sphere of society in our region. Our vision is to work in relationship with the wider Body of Christ to engage in the Great Commission, as we seek to walk out the two great commandments to love God and love people and cause an awakening in Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond.

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