Wednesday, October 23, 2002
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Wednesday, October 23, 2002 |
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NGUMC launches PrayerForce ministry The North Georgia United Methodist Conference announced today its grassroots movement called the PrayerForce ministry. The main focus of this prayer ministry is to encourage United Methodists from all parts of Georgia to pray for one another and others. The structure of the Prayer-Force is easy to follow. Every Monday morning a list of specific churches from around North Georgia are posted on the conference Web site, www.ngumc.org, as well as mailed to the participating conference members. Each of the 12 districts list from one to three churches to receive special prayers that week. Then, the members of the PrayerForce pray for three main issues: renewal in the listed churches, people living in those specific church communities who are not affiliated with any church, and for specific church concerns voiced by pastors prior to the PrayerForce focus. After praying for that week's church list, the PrayerForce members either write a card or email specific churches that the ministry had prayed for that week. Many of the churches have started to respond back with emails or letters listing the blessings that have happened since being prayed for by the PrayerForce members. In addition to the weekly prayer emphasis, there are articles on prayer submitted by various NGUMC members, stories of special blessings, and other resources on the conference Web site that help pastors explain the strength of prayer within their church communities. The Rev. Roger Vest, Founder and Coordinator of the PrayerForce ministry, asked, "What do you think the effect would be if any percentage of 320,000-plus North Georgia United Methodists made a commitment to prayer for area churches as well as the unchurched in our communities on a regular basis? The effect has been enormous. Our future goal and vision is to see this ministry begin to be duplicated throughout our denomination as well as other denominations, using the ministry to create a Christian prayer chain." Established in 1866 and headquartered in Atlanta, the North Georgia United Methodist Conference is comprised of approximately 1,000 churches, 1,500 clergy, over 320,000 lay members and 12 superintendents in the 72 counties of North Georgia. The Conference mission is to nurture people and aggressively reach seekers of faith not only in their own congregations but in the general community as well. The Conference carries out numerous ministry programs in the community such as children and youth advocacy, poverty eradication, worldwide mission efforts, educational development and social justice. The North Georgia United Methodist Conference is part of a new media campaign, "Igniting Ministries," which shares its view of positive Christian values by helping the community and the less fortunate. For more information, visit www.ngumc.org |
