Steven & Billie Jean Bishop

PIPS: A Legacy of Intercession

In 1996, Partners in Prayer (PIPS) was born out of a profound loss. Following the tragic death of Billie Jean’s son Christopher, prayer became a lifeline—bringing healing, hope, and purpose in the midst of unimaginable grief.

By 1999, PIPS launched a new initiative: Praying for Schools, which encouraged families and communities to cover schools in prayer—seeking protection, wisdom, and spiritual awakening for students, educators, and administrators. Between 1999 and 2006, this mission expanded to include homes and communities, growing into a movement that uplifted countless lives.

In 2009, another profound loss struck when Billie Jean’s husband, Dr. Gary Bauer, passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Seven years later, in 2016, she married Steven Bishop. Together, they embraced God’s calling to travel part-time as evangelists while continuing to lead PIPS. This partnership breathed new life into the ministry, further solidifying its legacy of intercession.

In 2015, before their marriage, Billie Jean was invited to organize a prayer group to intercede for women’s retreats. This initiative became the catalyst for a larger prayer movement conducted through a phone conference line. Over the years, this platform has connected Apostolic intercessors worldwide, creating a space for daily prayer and outreach. Nearly a decade later, PIPS continues to unite believers in intercession, adapting to modern technology to reach even more people in need.

With purpose and compassion, PIPS’ 35 trained prayer leaders take personal prayer requests from callers. Together, they have witnessed powerful answers to prayer, including miracles of healing and testimonies of deliverance. These prayer sessions do not seek to replace an individual’s personal prayer life or their commitment to prayer within their local church. Instead, PIPS serves as a complementary lifeline, offering support and encouragement. Many callers and prayer hosts have become like family, often testifying that the PIPS prayer calls have been a vital source of strength and connection.

The Bishops’ shared passion for missions has carried them across the globe and throughout North America. From the Philippines, where they served as evangelists and Bible teachers in 2018, 2019, and 2024, to supporting local church planting initiatives and evangelistic efforts, PIPS has expanded its mission to support both global and North American outreach.

Since their marriage, Steven has actively supported the ministry, leading men’s prayer sessions on the conference line and teaching live. Remarkably, since December 2015, not a single day has passed without PIPS lifting prayer for the nations, churches, pastors, and individuals as directed by God.

The ministry has also partnered with the World Network of Prayer (WNOP), established by the United Pentecostal Church International in 1995, which shares the vision of engaging people in fervent, worldwide prayer. Inspired by Apostolic leaders like Thetus Tenney, PIPS has stepped boldly into its role as a community and global leader in prayer initiatives.

PIPS has hosted quarterly extended prayer sessions, including 12-, 18-, and 24-hour calls. The ministry has also led 90 Days of Prayer for Prodigals twice a year, organized Back-to-School Prayer Coverings, and partnered with various crusades, conferences, local church planting initiatives, and missions.

With a steadfast commitment to the Kingdom, PIPS continues to see lives transformed through the power of prayer. Through daily intercession, innovative leadership, and a passion for missions, PIPS stands as a beacon of hope—faithful to its mission and legacy of intercession.

Watch the story of how the tragic events that lead to the death of our son, Christopher Lee Cook, propelled us into serving in the ministry of prayer for prodigals.