Christiane Amanpour’s two-part special was billed as the ultimate road trip through the Bible.

The CNN correspondent and ABC global affairs anchor researched the shared beginnings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. She scaled Mount Sinai, walked the streets of Jerusalem, searched archaeological sites for evidence of Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. All together, a fascinating compilation of thought-provoking scenes.

And then the series concluded Friday — in south Kansas City.

Amanpour went to the old Terrace Lake Shopping Center, where much of the International House of Prayer is located.

IHOP. The evangelical movement that has drawn thousands of young people to the area to fast, pray 24/7 in a televised setting, and otherwise give themselves and often their money over to this ministry.

One blogger (who was confused about the Missouri/Kansas state line) posted this succinct take on the series’ rather shoe-horned ending:

“Thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of all the ancient religious sites. But after all that religious parity, why would you juxtapose thousands of years of ancient and modern international worldly renown scholarly research and data at the very end to a small Kansas group that holds a 24 hour prayer group.”

Why indeed.

The Kansas City Convention Center holds a clue.

Numbers. Masses of people were drawn this weekend for IHOP’s annual young adult conference. It concludes this evening. At least 25,000 people were expected.

IHOP’s round-the-clock singing and prayer have been transferred to the convention center.

Amanpour’s interview with IHOP founder Mike Bickle is snippets mostly.

She touched on the controversial aspects of the IHOP phenomenon, how it is accused of luring the vulnerable as they seek answers, a purpose in life.

The segment was taped in October, before a young woman drawn from Texas by IHOP was found suffocated at Longview Lake in what prosecutors contend was a murder staged to appear as a suicide. A man with ties to IHOP has been charged.

IHOP has not been implicated, and it shouldn’t be. The killing just raised awareness, more queries, about this group.

People ought to remain curious and watchful. IHOP will continue to make an imprint on this area and be part of how Kansas City is noted.

Amanpour asked a question that was on the minds of many locally. She asked Bickle if he thought himself a prophet. He said no.

Let’s hope he stays on that course, and no one else gets confused, either.