Many began to encourage and prophesy to MorningStar, including Jim Bakker, that we were supposed to purchase the former Heritage USA. We were not interested. According to Steve Thompson, "In every case we listened, but we didn't have a heart for it."

Rick Joyner, founder of MorningStar, began to realize this could very well be the plan of the Lord, and soon other members of MorningStar's leadership team began to get the vision. Leonard Jones, worship leader, recalls, "I drove out here by myself and saw the devastation. The Lord began to change my heart. I began to see that this place could be resurrected. It could be better than before."

On September 27, 2004, MorningStar purchased the Heritage USA Grand Hotel, Main Street, Conference Center, incomplete high-rise, and castle, with 52 acres.

The condition of the property was depressing. The stench was unbelievable. There were birds living in the building, as well as signs of homeless people. It was eerie to walk through—it was as if one day the people just stood up and left. A lunch box was found opened on a work bench. It was 500,000 repugnant square feet. Most of us wondered, "Can this really be done? How are we going to restore this place?"