Roger Helland, the EFC's prayer ambassador, reports on a Nov. 17 gathering.
A November gathering for prayer and training in prayer brought together hundreds of Christian leaders from across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Many report leaving encouraged and inspired, experiencing positive spiritual impact from the informative presentations, buzzing conversations and communal prayers.
About 200 gathered for the free afternoon seminar to explore how to cultivate a culture of prayer in the local church. Pastors Ray and Fran Duerksen of Church Renewal International (Steinbach, Man.) and Jacob George of Centre Street Church in Calgary offered teaching and stories, followed by small and large group prayer for empowerment and then a free catered dinner.
The evening of public prayer and worship, focused on unity and spiritual awakening, drew about 700 people. They came from a wide assortment of churches, cultures, languages, ministry organizations, traditions and generations – all assembled as a colorful mosaic of the Lord’s people joining together in exuberant Jesus-centred prayer and worship.
A videorecording of the evening program is available at TheEFC.ca/Ignite.
One national prayer ministry leader remarked, “I have been deeply moved by God with the little phrase [offered during prayer], “Vancouver, a city of prayer.”
A Vancouver pastor commented, “I have never thought about prayer being shaped primarily from Scripture rather than from lists. [I love the idea of] ‘Scripture-fed and Spirit-led’ prayer.”
Another pastor mentioned how the benediction prayer from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 offered at the end of the evening gathering deeply blessed him.
The events were held Nov. 17 at Broadway Church in Vancouver. Local hosts included pastors David Koop of Coastal Church and Darin Latham of Broadway Church. Co-sponsors of this event include The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, National House of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation Network, and Vineyard Canada.
These groups co-sponsored other Ignite events earlier this year in Ottawa, Calgary, Kelowna and Regina. See TheEFC.ca/Ignite for more details.
Photos courtesy Roger Helland.
Author:
Roger Helland