I first met Clifford Hill in 1986, when I was on the team helping to organise the Lydia Prayer Fellowship’s first International Conference in Stirling. He had recently returned from a gathering in Israel of people with a prophetic ministry and their intercessors. He shared a prophecy given by David Noakes, which had a profound effect on my prayer life. He also told us about the launch of a new bi-monthly magazine, Prophecy Today which I immediately subscribed to (and subsequently received every printed copy that was published). With its sound biblical teaching and prophetic insight, it played an enormous part in helping me to cope with the new wave of teaching coming from America.

First visit to Israel

In 1988 my husband went to Israel with Intercessors for Britain. Unfortunately, he suffered a psychotic breakdown while in Israel and although he eventually made a full recovery, the effects lasted for several years. As a result, I found it difficult to pray for Israel, when it had so devastated our family. Additionally, the wedding ring I had given my husband had been thrown down a toilet in Jerusalem. Such a blatant attack on our family demanded strong action.  In 1993, I saw advertised in Prophecy Today, a trip to Israel with Cliff and Monica. I decided to go and try to make peace with Israel, since it was so valued by the Lord and so much part of his plan for salvation.

The kind and gentle way that Cliff and Monica bring God’s Word to life brought healing into my life

Israel tour with Cliff and Monica

The kind and gentle way that Cliff and Monica bring God’s Word to life brought healing into my life. We were studying the Old Testament and retracing the steps of the Israelites. I remember going through the desert, sharing rides with Monica on a camel. Our guide making the flat breadTowards lunchtime, our guide produced a metal dome, hidden in the rocks and placed it over a fire. He then made flatbreads with flour and oil, which were delicious dipped in oil and herbs and a reminder that God provides, even in the desert times. On the side of Mount Carmel, we sat where it is believed that Elijah confronted the prophets.of Baal. Standing near a shepherds’ well, Cliff told us the story of a stone being found on the site, which when scientifically examined, was said to have been subjected to a heat equivalent to the force of an atomic fusion. The story of Elijah’s sacrifice being consumed with fire became very alive

Me, on an Israel trip with Cliff & MonicaThe following year I went again to Israel with Cliff and Monica, this time taking my 14 year old daughter. We studied the New Testament world of Jesus. The trip made a significant impact on my daughter, who is today a deeply committed Christian. It is so important to make the Bible come alive for young people. I am immensely grateful for the teaching and healing that Cliff and Monica have brought into our lives, to keep us in step with God and on board with God’s plans for Israel, while we were coming to terms with what Israel had done to our family life.

John Wimber & the Kansas City Prophets

At the same time, in the early 1990s, John Wimber and the Kansas City Prophets were making waves in the UK churches. David Pytches’s book ‘Some said it thundered’ had being widely read in the charismatic community and produced a real sense of anticipation. John Wimber came to Edinburgh and the Usher Hall was packed with people eager to get to the front and be prayed for, including myself. There was such an expectancy that God was really moving in the nation.

Then the Kansas City Prophets arrived in the UK and Paul Cain came to Glasgow. He was pointing to individuals and prophesying over them and while the people from my fellowship were enthralled, I felt a real nausea and said it was divination. I was so grateful to Clifford Hill and Prophecy Today for advocating extreme caution, because I was finding it difficult to go along with all that my fellowship was accepting.

The Toronto Blessing

Fortunately, in about 1991 Clifford had come to Edinburgh, to say that Prophetic Word Ministries was launching a new ministry called Issachar, named after the tribe that had wisdom and understood the signs of the times. I was so grateful for the regular prayer letters supplying information and encouragement on how to pray for our nation.

Clifford produced his book ’Blessing the Church’ (co-authored with other colleagues), which helped to clarify my own thinking

Then in 1994 came the Toronto Blessing. For many of us, it became much harder to discern what was going on. John Arnott and his wife, Carol were lovely people who loved the Lord. At first it seemed unreasonable to say that what was happening in Toronto was not all of God. Many in my fellowship went over to Toronto and some were very blessed; their ministry did indeed seem to grow.  However, the excesses displayed by other members of the fellowship were hard to ignore and it was a very unhappy time for many Christians, with some friendships not surviving. Clifford produced his book ’Blessing the Church’ (co-authored with other colleagues), which helped to clarify my own thinking, but not necessarily the opinions of those with whom I was trying to maintain a relationship.

Helping discern what is right

It has been a difficult time for charismatic Christians, trying to stay in fellowship with those in their church, but realising that not all that is taught is biblical. It is particularly difficult at the moment, with the alluring type of Christianity coming out of the USA. I have been so grateful for the launch of the online version of Prophecy Today and Issachar Ministries in recent years, to help us discern what is right.

It seems more important than ever, that those of us who have benefitted from the teaching and leadership that Cliff and Monica have provided, pass on what we have learnt and how we have learnt it to a future generation, to help them navigate their way through an increasingly confusing time.

We’d like to hear your story

Do you have memories of how their ministry helped alter or shape the course of your life? If so, we would love to hear from you. It would be helpful to know which aspects of the ministry have had the most impact.

Perhaps it was trips abroad with them, or a particular book that you read. Maybe it was their pastoral ministry during the early years in London or at Moggerhanger Park? Were you involved with Family Matters, Church Planting and Growth, or the Wilberforce Connection? Did you visit The Zong? Did Cliff’s regular audio-CD updates on the State of the Nation, or the ministry of Prophecy Today have the most influence?

More recently in this technological age, online Issachar Ministries, Prophecy Today, the Webinars and the Sunday Issachar meetings on Zoom are speaking directly into our current pandemic situation. Is it helping? How can we connect with the next generation?

Please do share your memories, which can be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.