How to Overcome Strongholds
by Adam Wittenberg
5/24/17
Ministry and Outreach
Tim Erickson spent decades in the deliverance ministry, but still felt there was something more to setting people free from destructive habits and emotions. That led him and his wife, Olga, to establish Overcoming Strongholds (OS), a deliverance ministry at the International House of Prayer of Kansas City.
Since 2012, they’ve helped many people find freedom, and trained others in how to do deliverance. One of Tim’s passions is to improve both the perception and practice of deliverance ministry, in light of the many misconceptions about it.
“Most people don’t know about deliverance, or they think it’s something bad like a bunch of demons screaming,” Tim says. “The words salvation and deliverance actually come from the same word. It was everything Jesus was doing—setting people free.”
When deliverance is seen as a process involving discipleship and healing, as well as casting out demons, the ministry takes on a much more accessible feel. At weekly OS meetings, which are open to the public, Tim, Olga, and their team of ministers give teaching on deliverance and pray for people who want freedom.
Many are healed on the spot, while others enroll in one-on-one deliverance sessions to gain freedom.
Tim’s aim is to see biblical results by using only what is found in Scripture and to follow Holy Spirit’s leading. That’s led him to continually revise his deliverance “model.”
“The Lord was saying, ‘I want to lead your sessions,’” he says. “The method is supplemental. God can lead and guide you, because every situation and every person is different.”
Below are some practical tips and truths he’s gleaned to help people in ministry and those who want to start:
- Deliverance is all about understanding who God is and who the person is in Him. It’s about identity, not just casting out demons.
- It includes discipling people after they get free from a demon, so they can break out of the stronghold and false identity. Ask God what resources to give them.
- The afflicted person needs to use their will. They need to engage in the process by repenting of lies, embracing truth, and agreeing for the demon to be cast out.
- Ministering deliverance isn’t based on your personality—it’s based on understanding your authority in Christ. Even quiet or shy people can do it, because the power is in the name of Jesus and obedience to Him. Demons can come out at a word—it is not necessary to shout.
- You learn best by doing: you’ve got to lay hands on the person and pray. Partner with someone (who’s more experienced, if possible), read Scripture—especially the Gospels—and ask Jesus to show you the best way to do it.
- The enemy is NOT more powerful than God! The devil’s biggest weapon is the lie. We’ve got to believe God will come in power and give people a revelation of who He is. The Lord wants to give it to us!
The ministry offers various training workshops throughout the year. The OS team can also schedule deliverance sessions with people who are visiting IHOPKC. For more information, email overcomingstrongholds@ihopkc.org or visit their website: timandolga.com.
Adam Wittenberg
A Detroit native who was raised in Vermont and Connecticut, Adam worked as a newspaper journalist until 2012, when he moved to Kansas City to complete the Intro to IHOPKC internship. Afterwards, he earned a four-year certificate in House of Prayer Leadership from IHOPU and is now on full-time staff in the Marketing department at IHOPKC. He also serves in the NightWatch (overnight prayer hours) and is active in evangelism. He, and his wife Stephany, have a vision to reach people everywhere with the good news of Jesus Christ.
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