Bethel Pastor Shares Raw Advice From a Tried and Tested Modern-Day Prophet

It’s weird how we have no trouble calling every leader on a church staff “pastor.” In most cultures that would be true whether the person has a pastoral gift or not. But many churches are afraid to call anyone “prophet.” That seems grossly unbiblical and disproportionate to me since the word “prophet” is mentioned in the Bible hundreds of times more often than the word “pastor.” —Dan McCollam

I have known Dan McCollam for almost two decades. Together we have trained and equipped thousands of people in both the office of the prophet and the gift of prophecy. Dan is one of the wisest and most insightful people that I’ve ever have had the privilege of knowing.

I recently interviewed Dano (as we lovingly call him) because I want you to hear from a prophet on what it’s like to be called as a prophet, be developed as one, and then step into your call. I’ve watched Dano do this with grace over the years that I’ve known him, and he has so much to offer the body of Christ.

If you think you may be called to be a prophet (to the church or in another sphere of influence), or if you’re in ministry and want to operate well with the prophets around you, check out this interview and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, your passions and your ministry.

I grew up in a conservative religious environment so when I met Jesus in a personal way, it made a radical impact on my life. Perhaps that is why I’m so passionate about people having God-encounters. One real encounter with God changes everything!

Today, I lead the Prophetic Company at The Mission in Vacaville, California. I teach and train in prophecy and the supernatural lifestyle around the world, and I oversee a missions organization called Sounds of the Nations that is currently working in 70 language groups.

2. We started the School of the Prophets years ago. Tell me what made you want to start this school.

It’s weird how we have no trouble calling every leader on a church staff “pastor.” In most cultures that would be true whether the person has a pastoral gift or not. But many churches are afraid to call anyone “prophet.” That seems grossly unbiblical and disproportionate to me, since the word “prophet” is mentioned in the Bible hundreds of times more often than the word “pastor.”

When you asked me to start the School of the Prophets with you many years ago, it was a chance to shape what the prophetic would look like in our generation and the one to come. I believe it is time for the church to acknowledge its prophetic foundation and embrace the role and office of prophet. That’s why I believe schools of the prophets are so important.

3. How did you receive your call to be a prophet?

You were the first one to call me a prophet. To be honest, I didn’t believe you at first. I taught in the School of the Prophets for three years before really acknowledging that I had that call. I saw my role as a prophetic teacher but not a prophet.

At our third year of School of the Prophets, James Goll stood up in the very first meeting and said, “Dano, God says you are a prophet …” He went on to describe everything I am currently doing in the nations and how that fulfilled my call as a prophet. I finally believed, and that started my more official role as a prophet.

4. What were some of your struggles when you first received your call? How did you work through them?

I think one of my struggles was with the idea of what a prophet is. In the Bible, there are many flavors of prophets: those who teach and train, those who counsel others, those who intercede, those who demonstrate signs and wonders. Some of the greatest prophets in the Bible (Elijah and Elisha) gave very few sermons or prophetic words. Their words were brief and powerful and backed up by the authority of heaven.

My wrong idea that all prophets looked the same kept me from recognizing my own role as a prophet. My current primary role as a prophet is appointing apostolic and prophetic worship leaders in nations and equipping them to recognize what God is saying over their city or nation so they can sing it. I’ve been compared to Jeduthan in the Bible during the time of David’s tabernacle.

I also have an assignment to train people in the gift of prophecy through activations and to shape prophetic communities. I believe that the best way to learn prophecy is by prophesying. I love coming up with strategies for teaching people the different ways that God speaks, what prophecy looks like as a life skill not just a ministry school, and a how-to for prophetic communities. Those assignments really shape my role as a prophet.

5. What was the process like (and how long was it) from getting your call to actually stepping into it?

I spent 15 years training under a prophetic mentor as a youth pastor and worship leader. He would often have me prophesy over hundreds of people at a time. Sometimes, he would just hand me the phone and say, “Prophesy over this person.” I learned to always be ready by working with him. Later, as an itinerant, we had several prophets based out of our church, including Graham Cooke. My prophetic call has also been greatly impacted by you, Kris.

6. If there was one thing you could tell your younger self about the prophetic, what would it be?

Don’t wait so long to start moving in your authority. David didn’t need a throne to act like a king. Step into your God-given authority.

7. How does community play into you operating as a prophet? Do you have any personal stories that speak to this?

I’m a huge believer in and builder of prophetic community. Prophetic community should not be made of just prophets; we need the whole body. Everyone is prophetic, even though not everyone is a prophet. We all know in part and see in part. No matter how much you see, it’s only a part of a greater picture. That picture can only be completed within the context of a greater prophetic community.

I like to tell this story: I came home from a huge national prophetic event, and my wife is really sweet, but she said, “Hey, mister prophet, if you can see everything, how come you can’t see that the trash needs to be taken out and the lawn needs to be mowed?” I love this because it pointed to the practical things I wasn’t seeing that relate to community and real life. No matter how many heavenly experiences someone has, it has to come back to a practical expression of love within a community. Other people see things too. Never discount that. You need their piece as much as they need yours.

8. What do you feel God is doing on the earth at this time?

I believe that we are right in the center of the greatest prophetic revival in history. More people are prophesying on the earth than at any time in history. Not only that, people are prophesying with new covenant values.

We’ve moved away from pointing out sins and judging cities to revealing hidden treasures and restoring nations. It’s a great season for prophets to write what role prophecy will have in shaping and defining the church and the nations in the years to come.

9. What do you feel God wants to do at the School of the Prophets this year? Any prophetic inklings or words?

School of the Prophets is not just about the teaching content, though that is amazing; it’s about connections. This is a season of prophets gathering in prophetic companies to establish a synergy that accelerates all of our experience and impact to another level.

I’m also super excited to have Prophet Michael Dalton with us. Michael has worked as a prophetic adviser with governmental leaders and Fortune 500 companies. He’s really funny and incredibly revelatory. I was with Michael in a meeting in San Diego where he was praying for the sick, and I heard people’s bones popping back into place. Michael will be a powerful addition to this year’s teaching staff.

10. Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m so thankful for the team at Bethel. I believe that the New Covenant values that hundreds of thousands of believers are prophesying under today have been influenced in a major way by Bethel’s teachings. Every time I am in the atmosphere of Bethel, I personally get new revelation. I can’t think of a better place to hold a School of the Prophets. Those joining us this year should come expecting!