Prayer Leaders Orientation Is a Success
Representatives from more than twenty jurisdictions in the Church of God came together for a two-day State Prayer Leaders Orientation and Envisioning meeting in Cleveland, Tennessee at the international offices on October 29-30.
First Assistant General Overseer Dr. Tim Hill called the meeting, “one of the most important gatherings to ever occur at General Headquarters.” A number of overseers and state evangelism directors, as well as the wives of overseers were present, as were newly appointed state prayer leaders from across the nation along with members of their teams. In addition, a number of consultants to the prayer ministry gathered.
Members of the General Executive Committee have asked each administrative bishop to name a State Prayer Leader and a prayer leadership team. More than half have done so. At the meeting, the group discussed the guiding theology and philosophy for prayer ministries in the denomination, the structure and goals of state prayer teams, and what Doug Small, the Coordinator of Prayer Ministries calls “The Praying Church movement” – the identification of more than a thousand congregations that declare their intention to bring prayer to the heart of all they do.
Next year, General Overseer Raymond Culpepper is calling for the promotion of renewed prayer and evangelism efforts. Tim Hill, leader of USA Missions for the Church of God has announced three prayer-evangelism efforts. The first is “Fasting for His Favor!” – a challenge to join more than a million believers already beginning their year in fasting. The date for the fasting initiative is January 10-31. From March 9 – April 17, a special Church of God edition to “Seek God for the City” will be promoted. That special version will include information on unreached people groups here in the USA, church planting efforts, and special Church of God prayer endeavors. And then in September, 2011, a saturation prayer strategy will be suggested for local churches.
For information on prayer initiatives, contact USA Missions (www.usamissions.com) or www.projectpray.org.
