Our Leadership Team (& their stories)

On Mother’s Day 2018, the Lord gave Alena a vision for a house of healing, prayer, and worship in New Mexico. Since then, she has pondered God’s dream in her heart and lifted up his promises in prayer. After spending a season at IHOPKC to immerse herself in intercession and learn the logistical ins and outs of the prayer movement, she returned home to Albuquerque, confident that it was time to gather believers to pray, heal, and worship Jesus in the beautiful New Mexico desert she loves. We founded Alena Van Dyke Ministries with Pray in the Desert and connected to a house of prayer in Albuquerque.

In February of 2023, Lou Engle prayed and prophesied over Alena that now was the time for this God-dream she has carried, prayed for, and wept over, to come to birth. We believed in faith, that Lou’s words were true to the heart of the Father and He was moving things “for such a time as this.” Only 5 months later, the Lord brought an unexpected but beautiful turn to our understanding of God's plan and timeline for our ministry when Alena connected with a team of believers in Hollister, MO. At the beginning of 2024, by the prompting and confirmed directions of the Holy Spirit, Corbin and Alena eloped.

Corbin and Alena live in Hollister, Missouri with their son. They have said YES to living a life of faith, trusting the Lord to provide as they build a tea shop and prayer room where people can slow down, engage with community, and be transformed.

Alena Van Dyke, MASF, President
& Corbin Hudson, Vice President

Alena Van Dyke is a spiritual mentor, author, teacher, podcast hostess, and friend to wounded hearts. Spirit-led and prophetic, this modern Christian mystic believes everything is spiritual. Through writing, teaching, and having deep and meaningful conversations, Alena joins others on their journey to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Her journey is a testimony of His goodness and faithfulness, that He still speaks and still moves, and truly, God can change everything overnight. She is a safe and welcoming companion for those walking through difficult seasons into a wholehearted life with Jesus. Learn more at AlenaVanDyke.com

Alena is the author of Return to Love: Restoring the Heart of Christianity, available on Amazon & Audible.

In 2021, the Lord started whispering to Paul and his wife, Stephanie, about shifting their lives to operate in a new ministry direction. As they prayed and sought the Lord, they found their hearts deeply connected to New Mexico and its future. They also started to connect the dots and suspect this “new” God-dream was the same direction Alena had received years before. They picked a date on the calendar in October 2021 for their first prayer event and put out a fleece.

Stephanie prayed that if this was the same word God had given their long-time friend, Alena, that God would orchestrate her being present for the event, even though she lived in Kansas City at the time. In a whirlwind, the Lord not only brought Alena into town for the event but moved her back home to Albuquerque before the first scheduled Day of Prayer and Healing.

Since the very first Day of Prayer & Healing in October 2021, we have seen many people healed and delivered. We’ve seen physical and emotional pain bow to the name of Jesus. We witnessed God give gifts of peace, purpose, and hope to those dealing with severe anxiety, depression, and broken relationships.

Dr. Paul Martinez, Secretary

Dr. Paul Martinez and his wife Stephanie have served the Lord wholeheartedly and have a rich history of ministry experience.
Paul has served in the traditional pastoral role, ordained many ministers, and officiated countless weddings and funerals. Together, they continue to offer marriage counseling, spiritual mentorship, pastoral care, and grief care, as well as host retreats for their healing ministry from their home base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Our Journey

We never would have guessed what the Lord planned to do in 2024, as many unexpected shifts took place. The Lord fulfilled many promises, including financial promises to our New Mexico team, and wedding bells that united Alena to Corbin. We never thought Pray in the Desert would have two homes… but America is our mission field, and we are honored to bring the heart of New Mexico and the Ozarks together. There are many prophetic words God has spoken over the desert and over the Midwest that stir our hearts.

In the future, we look forward to continuing our work hosting prayer meetings, worship nights, and retreats. We love meeting with people for inner healing centered around prayer and intimacy with the Lord. We are honored to support and be blessed by other ministries that align with our values and focus on transformation. Paul and Stephanie continue to host Holy Spirit weekends in their home, and our Missouri team is embarking on a new mission to build a tea shop and restore a "third space" for healing and transformation to happen in the community of Hollister, Missouri. Alena also plans to work on her second book, which focuses on our mission: walking people into healing their hearts, embracing their true identity in Christ, and living confidently as a warrior bride of Christ, ready for the return of our Warrior King Jesus. We are excited and ready to release freedom and blessing over His remnant as they embody their God given “Bridal Authority.”

In order to keep this story going, we need support in both prayer partners and financial gifts. We ask that you would consider supporting our ministry. He is truly doing a “new thing” and we are honored to be part and invite you to join with us on this adventure.

Since the very first Day of Prayer & Healing in October 2021, we have partnered with many ministries and prayer rooms, traveled many miles to bless churches, families, and communities from coast to coast, and lived by Ruth's vow, "to go where God goes and stay where he stays." In our short 4 years, we have been the hands and feet of Jesus and partnered with people in prayer in over 16 states.

Prayer at the Heart

Davids Tent, Washington DC

Jesus Gathering