Personal practice tips

Justin Rizzo - Worship Leader
Follow Justin on Twitter - justinrizzoihop
Justin grew up in Lockport, New York and moved to IHOP in January 2004 where he completed the onething internship. His desire is to minister in the house of the Lord by singing and proclaiming the Word of God and to see thousands impacted with the gospel.
 

Nate Hunt - Bass
Nate Hunt grew up in Muscatine, Iowa and came to IHOP in July 2008.

Susanna Erwin - Violin 
Susanna grew up in Hot Springs, AR and moved to IHOP in August 2006. Her passion is to intercede on her violin for the ending of human trafficking and to see orphans loved and adopted.


I remember my heart screaming that out in the practice room 2 years ago. This was not an uncommon emotion for me. I had been playing violin on and off since I was seven and never really landed on the "why" behind what I was doing. I had done the worship teams, the "let's try to 'make it'" rock bands, and had tried out the classical world, but nothing seemed to fit. True, at times each of those things satisfied an itch but as I grew closer to the Lord my appetite for fame and pleasure outside of Christ was ruined.

My heart was to serve Him and love His people.

Catherine McIntire - Cello
Catherine's blog - www.pureweakness.com
Catherine grew up in Rochester, MN and moved to IHOP in July 2005 where she completed the Onething Internship. Her passion is bringing holy encounter and healing to wounded hearts through music.


Praying with an instrument carries a high price tag. A musician who desires excellence, especially a string player, must give a large part of his or her life to growing musically. Hours upon hours are spent alone in a room with my cello. Staring at the wall or the practice mirror. Wondering why such a large percentage of my brief life is being sown into this expensive tool. 

Sometimes practicing brings far more questions than answers.

Victor Arteaga - Percussion
Victor was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico and came to IHOP in February 2000. His passion is to proclaim the unfathomable riches of Christ. “My whole life changed when it hit my heart that Christianity is not really about a religion but about a person who is God in the full sense of that word. If there are two verses in all of scripture that my heart meditates, and is encouraged every time I read it, and sums up my passion it’s Colossians 2:2-3, and 1 Corinthians 2:2. To proclaim Christ and Christ crucified, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”


Standing before the Lord as a priest everyday in the house of prayer has lead me to a couple conclusions about what it truly means when Jesus said that His Father is seeking for true worshippers (Jn. 4:23-24).