Connections 08/27/2004

National Pastors' Prayer Network

CITY CONNECTIONS    08/27/2004

2004 Year of Prayer for Pastors
http://www.prayingpastor.com

I N   T H I S   U P D A T E    ...    and for our prayers:

*     A NOTE FROM PHIL
1.    BOULDER, CO: TOWARD RADICAL SOCIAL CHANGE
2.    COMING TO YOUR STATE CAPITOL
3.    PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA'S FIRST STOP
4.    CITY IMPACT REPORTS
5.    TULARE, CA: CITYWIDE EVENTS
6.    CITY REACHING BOOKS RECEIVED
7.    EL PASO, TX: BORDER LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
8.    SCHENECTADY, NY: ROUNDTABLE
9.    NEWARK, NJ: A CITY PROFILE
10.    CALIFORNIA STATE PRAYER SUMMIT
11.    CALIFORNIA CALENDAR
12.    ELGIN (CHICAGO), IL: CITYWIDE PRAYER
13.    NEW YORK CITYWIDE PRAYERWALK

*      A NOTE FROM PHIL

Feedback from the various City Impact Roundtables makes me realize our need for a multi-layered vision. Some city reachers are called by the Lord and given a macro-vision; they see the entire city or region. Others have a call that encompasses a community or a segment of the city, such as youth. I call this a mezzo-vision. Most, when they begin to think kingdomly, visualize their congregation or organization; a micro-vision.

No one of these constitutes a greater or better calling. Each one is vital to a comprehensive city reaching movement.

When you call Christian leaders in your city together, it is important to strive for diversity. Diversity of denominations, generations, nations (ethnic origin), plus men and women who see the macro, the mezzo and the micro picture.

Thankful for all you do to impact our cities for Christ,

Phil

P.S. Please contact me through phil@nppn.org the Eddress praychgo@flash.net will be eliminated.
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1.    BOULDER, CO: TOWARD RADICAL SOCIAL CHANGE
>At: http://www.citireach.org/

Who Would Ever Have Thought It Possible
That a city could make such rapid progress toward radical social
change in such a short period of time

Everyone knows that Boulder is known for its
Liberalism politics and lifestyles
Fortress mentality they call themselves the Republic of Boulder
Occultism it has been one of the last bastions of occultism in the state
Anti-Christianism even the newspaper editor would take on pastors and churches by name in caustic editorials

What Has Changed?

The climate has entirely changed the Church of Boulder has become a friend to the city. Sought after by both public and private leaders for counsel and for service, the Church has earned a place at the table of public policy and has won the hearts of community leaders. When the Church is in the news these days, and it is frequently, it is to report its acts of service to its community and the difference the Church is making in the lives of others.

How Has The Climate Changed?

Pastors throughout the city are preaching about the importance of getting out of the Church and into the community. Their catch phrase is becoming Externally-Focused & Community-Based, and it is working.
Over 2000 more church members are involved in community service than two years ago
Several churches have completed 1000 Acts of Service to the community in the course of a single month
The Church supports city and community human service agencies that provide quality service with volunteers, referrals and finances
The Church serves provides volunteers for mentoring programs, service projects, and school service
The County Juvenile Distraction Program is now a faith-based program
The Church is involved in service to HIV/AIDS victims and family members through the Boulder County AIDS Projects. And one of the evangelical pastors has been invited to serve as the Projects Chaplain.
Several prominent public leaders have professed faith in Christ and others are turning to Christ as relationships between the Church and community are strengthened
Public service and community involvement have become common place. Church leaders are beginning to ask each other What are you doing in the city? rather than how large is your church?

How Did This Change Occur?

This Is The Real Story
Three years ago the pastoral leaders of the city of Boulder were introduced to a vision of the Church working together for the spiritual and social transformation of their community.

The turning point came at a Prayer Summit attended by Boulder area pastors. While most were praying against the sins and problems of the city, one pastor was moved to read from Jeremiah 29, seek the peace and prosperity of the city Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you to will prosper.

The 10 person leadership team for the emerging community transformation initiative admitted that they did not know their own city. They organized a Magic Bus Tour taking them to eight human service agencies in the city. The day produced an awakening for them.

These pastors discovered depths of human need they had no idea existed in their city and a quality of human care that stunned them. Rather than competing with these existing agencies that were doing such good work, they committed to channel personnel, finances and referrals to community agencies that met a minimum baseline of being morally-positive and spiritually neutral (The local homeless shelter met those guidelines whereas Planned Parenthood did not).

One of the pastors of a larger church took a film crew back to each agency the following week and produced a 60 minute video that has now been used in many Church services. He initially used each segment to support a sermon series on Christ in the City that led to an immediate response by Church members from across the city volunteering for community service.

The firsthand experience of this team of leaders touched their hearts and compelled them to further action. In an effort to provide a similar experience for other church leaders a local Christian business man with great influence in the community personally invited the top leader of the 12 major sectors of community life to each meet with pastors over a twelve month period: The President of Colorado University, the mayor, the police chief, the district attorney, the editor of the newspaper, the fire chief, the school superintendent and others each met with the pastoral community.

Each lunch gathering led to the same three questions being asked of each leader:
a. What is your vision for our community through your sphere of influence? This helped develop a basis for common vision and collaboration between the Church and key sectors of the community. Pastors began to consider what they could contribute toward that vision through their sphere of influence.
b. What are three issues you face in your sphere of influence for which there is no earthly solutions? This provided a prayer focus and specific opportunities for service in responding to some of the greatest needs the community faces.
c. What are three issues you personally face that the faith-community can pray for and encourage you through? This provided a powerful personal and relational base of support for community leaders that may lead to personal life change.

The first question brought the realization that these community leaders want many of the same things that pastors want. Each minimally wants safety for their children, economic opportunity, fairness in the judicial system, and quality education accessible to all. Pastors wanted more, but they wanted no less for their community than did these leaders. This led to a number of intersecting points of common interest that opened the door for collaboration between the Church and each sector of influence in the city.

The second question provided not only an opportunity for fervent compassionate prayer for those needs, but also led Church leaders to conclude, We can do something about that. So lets do it. It was out of the District Attorneys impassioned and desperate report regarding juvenile crime that prompted a proactive response by the Church to work with the DAs office, to design and implement a faith-based juvenile recidivism program that has had great success in the county.

The third question provided an opportunity to pray directly for the personal needs of these key leaders. A number broke into tears while they were being ministered to deeply and compassionately by the pastors. Several of these twelve have come to Christ in the following months and for each of them they now see the Church as a friend and ally.

Three Years Ago
The Boulder city Church was a front page item, but they were not receiving the press they receive today. At Christmas time 2000 the Church was under attack for its evangelical views and the editorial headline read Keep Your Religion to Yourself. On December 25, 2003 the front page headline read Three Churches Take Kingdom Assignment to Heart.

The lengthy front page article told the story of three prominent Boulder churches who each challenged their members with a three part Kingdom assignment patterned after the Parable of the Talents.

Their story began one Sunday morning in the summer of 2003 following the morning message pastors invited volunteers to come forward for a special Kingdom assignment. Between the three congregations 280 volunteered. Each was given a crisp $100 bill provided by an anonymous local businessman. The assignment was to multiply the $100 in 90 days and report back to the church in a similar message to the movie Pay It Forward. $250,000 was raised and all of it given to Boulder County human service agencies.

A 10 year old boy took $1 (that is all he felt he should take) and printed flyers advertising his services for lawn care earned $273 for the Orphan Boys of the Sudan now living in Boulder. A couple bought soap and buckets and held a dog wash for donations, raising $13,000 for the Boulder County Safehouse. A business man simply asked his coworkers, friends and family to match his $100 and raised $5,000.

This fall the three churches embarked on Kingdom Assignment 2. The rule was: Sell a personal possession worth at least $100. Another $250,000 was raised from within the three churches. One member sold a Sony 32 inch television. One woman said, I thought of the TV in the bedroom. I figure I can use my time better to either strengthen my marriage, pray or read the Biblethe bedroom should be a sanctuary, not an ESPN zone. Several members downsized their luxury cars while another sold an expensive watch that he said symbolized climbing the corporate ladder. As before all the money raised was given to human services agencies caring for the needs of Boulder county residents.

The article concluded by stating that these three congregations were just beginning Kingdom assignment 3: Give 90 minutes of service in 90 days. Everyone is energized waiting to see what will be produced by this assignment in meeting the spiritual and social needs of the people of Boulder.

And now other Boulder churches have begun Kingdom assignments in their churches creating a movement of service and good will. One pastor said, Parishioners are feeling a new sense of empowerment and churches are exploring new partnerships with charities the year has been catalytic spurring unity within the church and a movement outside our four walls.

The Church in Boulder has come along way in just three short years from a front page attack to front page praise. City officials have just acknowledged Boulder churches as the single largest contributor of personnel and financing of human service agencies and needs in the County.

This story goes on and on with examples of community service and impact multiplying with every month as the Church of Boulder lives in unity and peace with one another and collaborates with leaders of community influence to make the city and county a better place to live both spiritually and socially.

Pastors and people are serving in the Boulder County AIDS Project by supplying meals, monitoring medications, providing transportation and building relationships with AIDS patients and family members. Through these relationships credibility is being earned by the Church, lives are turning, hope is returning and some are turning to Christ as their hope for tomorrow.

One large church decided to forgo their annual Church cantata and its effort to get the community into the Church and instead decided to get the Church into the community through 1000 acts of service performed during December.

Three months later when a student at the local high school committed suicide, it was the Church and its people, which were invited to spend three full days on campus ministering to the kids and to their many fears and questions.

Other churches have become deeply embedded in daily ministry on elementary, middle-school and high schools providing various daily services, mentoring, leading band, staffing libraries, and so many other roles they are too numerous to list here. In every instance and through all kinds of services the Church is modeling the presence and love of God, people are increasingly open and inviting to the Churchs presence, and many are awakened to the spiritual realities and joy of following Christ.

The story goes on and on and on!
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2.    COMING TO YOUR STATE CAPITOL

Prayer Across America
Every State. Every Capital.
September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2005
Www.prayeracrossamerica.org
"Stirring Up The Spirit Of Prayer"

September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2005 www.prayeracrossamerica.org

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12

A Call To Prayer For America

What is prayer across america?
PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA is a historic tour of prayer that will lift up the
United States to God. It is a call to every person in every church to travel
to their state capital and pray for our nation. Then I will pour out a
spirit of grace and prayer.Zech. 12:10a.

When will it happen?
Starting on September 11, 2004 in Springfield, Illinois, the PRAYER ACROSS
AMERICA team will travel to every state capital in the union over a period
of one year, one state per week. Each week on Thursday at 1 P.M. the PRAYER
ACROSS AMERICA team will meet you and your church to cry out to God for our
nation. PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA will conclude in our nations capital on
September 11, 2005.

Why Prayer Across America?
Prayer can move the hand of God. There has never been a more crucial time to
pray for our nation than now. Start praying for your state and our nation
today and make plans now to meet the PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA team in your
capital at 1 P.M. The date that the PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA team will be in
each capital is listed to the right.

The Agenda For Each 1 p.m. Prayer Meeting:
Thank God for His many blessings on America.
Repent for our sins.
Pray that the American people will return to God and make Jesus Lord.
Pray for wisdom for the leaders of our country.
Pray for an awakening of the Church.
Follow the Biblical pattern for prayer as taught to the disciples.
Give thanks for hearing us and giving us hope.

Prayer in a state capital Thursdays at 1 P.M.

1. Springfield, Illinois09/11/04
2. Jefferson City, Missouri09/16/04
3. Topeka, Kansas09/23/04
4. Oklahoma City, OK09/30/04
5. Santa Fe, New Mexico10/07/04
6. Phoenix, Arizona10/14/04
7. Honolulu, Hawaii10/21/04
8. Austin, Texas10/28/04
9. Baton Rouge, LA11/04/04
10. Jackson, Mississippi11/11/04
11. Little Rock, AR11/18/04
12. Nashville, TN12/02/04
13. Montgomery, AL12/09/04
14. Atlanta, Georgia12/16/04
15. Tallahassee, FL01/06/05
16. Columbia, SC01/13/05
17. Raleigh, NC01/20/05
18. Richmond, VA01/27/05
19. Charleston, WV02/03/05
20. Frankfort, KY02/10/05
21. Columbus, Ohio02/17/05
22. Indianapolis, IN02/24/05
23. Des Moines, IA03/03/05
24. Lincoln, NE03/10/05
25. Denver, CO03/17/05
26. Cheyenne, WY03/24/05
27. Salt Lake City, UT03/31/05
28. Carson City, NV04/07/05
29. Sacramento, CA04/14/05
30. Salem, Oregon04/21/05
31. Olympia, WA04/28/05
32. Juneau, Alaska05/05/05
33. Boise, Idaho05/12/05
34. Helena, Montana05/19/05
35. Bismarck, North Dakota05/26/05
36. Pierre, South Dakota06/02/05
37. St. Paul, Minnesota06/09/05
38. Madison, Wisconsin06/16/05
39. Lansing, Michigan06/23/05
40. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania06/30/05
41. Albany, New York    07/07/05
42. Montpelier, Vermont07/14/05
43. Augusta, Maine07/21/05
44. Concord, NH07/28/05
45. Boston, Massachusetts08/04/05
46. Providence, RI08/11/05
47. Hartford, Connecticut08/18/05
48. Trenton, New Jersey08/25/05
49. Dover, Delaware09/01/05
50. Annapolis, Maryland09/08/05
51. Washington D.C.09/11/05

May The Dove Of Peace Lead The Eagle Of Courage And Freedom.
You can partner with us by:
1. Praying for our team.
2. Coming to your capital to pray.
3. Giving a generous financial gift.

Could you not watch with me one hour? Matthew 26:40

For more information or to help support this effort contact:
J. Phillip Epperson, D. Min.
708.925.0475
info@prayeracrossamerica.org
www.prayeracrossamerica.org

Helping Neighbors Worldwide Ministries
5544 West 147th Street
PO Box 253
Oak Forest, IL 60452
www.helpneighbor.org

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3.    PRAYER ACROSS AMERICA'S FIRST STOP

National Day of Prayer IL will piggyback a meeting for coordinators, in Springfield on September 11. All those interested in learning how they can coordinate a National Day of Prayer event can join us in Room 213 of the Capitol Building at 9:30 a.m.. Use the Capitol street entrance to come to the meeting. We will break at 12:30 to join the Prayer Across America prayer rally at the Capitol at 1:00 pm. After the rally we will have lunch together and then be dismissed by 4:00. If you need more information contact Claudia Dunne, IL State Coordinator, NDP at cgdunne@aol.com
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4.    CITY IMPACT REPORTS

Are you making a city impact?

E-mail an update to   phil@nppn.org and tell the NPPN how God is at work through:
    Worship: United Praise & Prayer
    Relationship: Cultures Coming Together
    Partnership: Collaborating to Proclaim the Gospel

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5.    TULARE, CA: CITYWIDE EVENTS

In the previous eight years while I've been a senior pastor of a church in Tulare, CA, we've had two major city wide worship event for thousands, plus lots of National Day of Prayer events and other outreaches to the poor (trailer loads of food), gospel distribution door to door, Transformations video events, monthly ministerial meetings and weekly prayer meetings.

Racial relationships have developed over years to where now our church,
Tulare Community, hosts three other church plants on our property. One is Spanish speaking, one is bilingual Hispanic, and one is largely African American but a mix of all races. Tulare Community has a worship attendance around 400 on Sunday mornings, and the other three churches make up another 400 worshippers on campus. We partner in joint services and ministry on all kinds of levels, even as each church is its own functioning body.

In partnership to share the gospel, our best example of that is the Healing Rooms of Tulare. For over two years now, we have eighty trained team members from 30+ churches ministering to the sick and leading people to Christ.

Pastor Tim Vink
www.healingroomstulare.com
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6.    CITY REACHING BOOKS RECEIVED

The following books have been sent to the NPPN office and have either a focus on or an application toward city reaching. Mention here is not necessarily an endorsement of the complete contents of any books included below.

Desperate For HIs Presence
God Design to Transform your Life and your City
Rhonda Hughey
Bethany House
    "What makes Rhonda Hughey's book stand out from the crowd is her refreshing emphasis on Presence..." George Otis, Jr.

Leaders That Last
How Covenant Friendships Can Hep Pastors Thrive
Gary Kinnaman & ALfred Ells
Baker Book House
    Watch for an interview with Pastor Gary...

Transforming Power
Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community
Robert Linthicum
Inter-Varsity Press
    "(This book) examines biblical principles and strategies for exercising relational power that leads to the transformation of one's community or city." Introduction

Changing Church
How God is Leading His Church Into the Future
C. Peter Wagner
Regal Books
    "Wagner is simply and clearly identifying the culture shifts that are taking place within the Body of Christ. You may not agree with all of his conclusions or choice of terminology, but you will be challenged by his observations. " Phil Miglioratti

One Spirit, One Body
Principles of Successful multiracial Churches
George Yancey
Inter-Varsity Press
    "A helpful volume as the CHurch takes on the globalization of our communities ... (The author) is deeply concerned that the multiethnic church not be an end in itself but a means ot race reconciliation." Manuel Ortiz

High Impact African-American Churches
George Barna
Regal Books
   &
Out of Africa
C. Peter Wagner
Regal Books
    "These two books will help city reachers, especially white and suburban practitioners (WASPs), better understand the culture and style of their African-American and Nigerian colleagues. If collaboration requires trust, and trust proceeds from relationships, then the insights and information in these two volumes will help reduce the barriers that keep us from knowing one another.
    "African-American congregations are certainly not waiting for white brothers and sister to tell them how to do "church;" we have much to learn from one another. In the very recent past, our cities have suddenly received "missionaries" sent to the United States from the Body of Christ in Nigeria. God is up to something and we must not be caught napping." Phil Miglioratti

    --->NPPNote: Send your 3-5 paragraph review of any of the above books for possible posting in a future NPPN Update!

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   http://www.cityreaching.com/
    http://www.nppn.org/calendar.htm

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   http://www.prayingpastor.com
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Contribute to the NPPN's Ministry to Cities
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7.    EL PASO, TX: BORDER LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
>From: "Laurie Huffman" <lauriehuf@sbcglobal.net>

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations, Isaiah 61:4.

This is your invitation to join Pastors, Prayer Leaders, and Intercessors for the third annual 2004 Border Leadership Summit in El Paso, Texas. This is a strategic meeting at this strategic time in our nation's history.

Join us as we purpose to build relationships and pray towards reconciliation, restoration, transformation and the security of the U.S.and Mexican Border. We want to network with American and Mexican people of prayer who have a burden for the borderland and the 24 million souls living in this area. Border issues are now affecting the whole U.S. nation with terrorists and thousands of illegal immigrants breaking into the U.S. at their will. Border issues from the Mexican perspective will also be addressed.

We will worship, hear reports from other border cities and listen to one another. We will seek the Lord for a visitation on the U.S.-Mexico Border with His Holy Presence. God is visiting nations around the world. We will ask Him to come here also for the souls living on the most crossed border in the world. The details:

2004 Border Leadership Summit
For Pastors, Leaders and Intercessors with a burden for the US Mexico Border
September 23-24, 2004
Thursday, September 23- Registration begins at 5:00 pm followed by dinner and speakers.
Friday, September 24- The Summit continues from 9:00 to 5:00 pm. Lunch will be served.
The Border Leadership Summit will be held at 1201 Hawkins, El Paso, Texas.
The cost is $35 for a single reservation or $55 per couple.
Border Prayer Network is hosting this event in partnership with Proyecto Josue, of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico.

Make your reservations by calling our office at 915-779-3551 or emailing the office at bpn@borderprayer.net.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Ps.24:9
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8.    SCHENECTADY, NY: ROUNDTABLE
>From: "Jay Richmond" <pray.capitalregion@verizon.net>

Thursday, September 16, you are invited to a Pray Capital Region Roundtable meeting. We are meeting at Emmanuel Christian Retreat Center in Glenmont from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Lunch will be available at 12 noon. Plan on staying around for the fellowship.

The discussion will revolve around the Quickening, looking at Core Principals related to Community Transformation.

At the last Roundtable, we looked at the first four Core Principals. Here are the action steps from the Roundtable discussion groups:

1. Pastors can stress holiness and humility from the pulpit
Resource: The Acceptable Sacrifice - John Bunyan
Stress fasting - 40 days of fasting starting in September prior to our national election (www.40daysUSA.org <http://www.40daysUSA.org> )
Andrew Murray - pamphlet on humility
Bill Bright: The Coming Revival - on prayer and fasting

2. Intercessors can pray for the church
For holiness & humility
For the unity movement: the 23 local pastor prayer groups
For the Bethlehem Church as it gathers for prayer and blesses the town with a financial gift on August 15.
For the Capital area transformation's video project.

3. Make a corporate covenant of interdependence within your prayer group
Share ministry - resource with each other

4. Promulgating a Kingdom of God view
Think regionally - we are one
          We are not building our own kingdoms - Jesus is building His Church

Our hope is to grab a hold of God's plan for transformation for each of our communities in the Capital Region.

What has God been placing on your heart regarding transformation of your community? What you bring to the table is vital. YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE!

I hope to see you Thursday, September 16. Will you make this a priority and add it to you schedules now?

Blessings, Jay
Pray Capital Region: Transforming the Communities of the Capital Region!

Jay Richmond
Ministry Facilitator Renewal Prayer Network / Pray Capital Region
550 Ontario Street
Schenectady, NY 12306 pray.capitalregion@verizon.net
518.374.6509
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9.    NEWARK, NJ: A CITY PROFILE
>From: roger@cityvoices.com

Newark, New Jersey (population 278,000) will probably always retain its "diamond-in-the-rough" status, in relation to glittery Manhattan. But Newark is every bit a diamond these days! Things are looking up as Newark and its churches seek to reestablish their proper places with America's urban culture.

After decades of wallowing in its 1960s-bound reputation, Newark is now bursting out as an affordable and creative place to live, work and worship. The city has always been a repository of great culture; with a wealth of universities, designer parks, libraries, and now a performing arts center. And while some of Newark's old insurance giants did leave in the 1970s, a resurgence of that industry has occurred. Read on, as our various articles in this edition give a frank assessment of Newark and its churches today.

Address Change:
CityVoices / SCUPE
200 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 502
Chicago, IL 60601- 5909
312-726-1200
(email remains the same) roger@cityvoices.com

God's grace and peace today,
Roger Johnson, Editor - CityVoices
- - - -
Newark: Tough to Get a Handle On . . .

Click-Here for the entire newsletter:
    http://www.gospelcom.net/cv/pages/content/0407nl.htm
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10.    CALIFORNIA STATE PRAYER SUMMIT
>From: "Wolfgang Kovacek" <w@hispowerportal.com>

California State Prayer Summit In Southern California: Aug 30 - Sep 1 2004
A Special Invitation from the State Pastors' Summit Team in Cooperation with Pray California.

The Pastor's And Leaders Prayer Summit will soon be upon us. Monday, August 30 beginning at 10 am through September 1 closing at 2pm. Even if you are just going to attend during the day time we need your registraton to plan for food and other needs. Please call 626-296-7600 or sign up on line as shown below by Friday - sooner would help!

Senior Pastors from the 8 Regions of the State will be attending this Summit at the US World Missions Center in Pasadena to seek the Lord for blessings upon this part of the State and to build relationships in the State. This is an opportunity for preparing the greater L.A. Area for the Billy Graham Crusade. At these State Summits there are also updates of God's Activities in the State. There is the benefit of being renewed personally with extended time for prayer as well as the cooperate blessing of praying in unity with other pastors. We believe God has something special in mind for building relationships and releasing His blessings at this Summit.

There will be a special track running in the Aylward Lounge for intercessors and prayer leaders, So register now.

8 Regions throughout Southern California have come together representing pastoral & intercessory ministries throughout the state. Pray California Pastors' And Leaders' Prayer Summit Hard-Copy Mail-In Registration Form Submit Registration to: PRAY CALIFORNIA PASTORS' AND LEADERS' PRAYER SUMMIT C/O RTV INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES 1539 E. HOWARD ST., PASADENA, CA. 91104 / 626-296-7600

Pray California Invites you to be a part of the Statewide Pastors' And Leaders' Prayer Summit coming up Monday 10 am through Wednesday August 30   31 & September 1st 2 pm at the US Center for World Missions, William Carey International University in Pasadena.

SUMMIT REGISTRATION

Full Name: ______________________________ Gender: _________________
I am a Pastor ___ Ministry Leader ___ Intercessor ____
H Phone: _________________ Ministry Phone: __________________________
Home Address: ____________________________________________________
Ministry Name: ____________________________________________________
Ministry Address: ___________________________________________________
City: _____________________ State: _____________ Zip: ________________
E-mail Address: ______________________
Other Comments: __________________________________________________
I wish to be housed with: ____________________________________________
Pastor or Assigned Mentor: _________________ Contact Phone: ____________

Enclosed is my registration and payment 3 Day Registration - CA Pastors & Leaders Summit 2004 Price: $148.00 includes 7 meals and housing

1 Day Registration - CA Pastors & Leaders Summit 2004 Price: $48.00 includes lunch and dinner no housing Please indicate which day (s) _________ __________

Thanks for your prompt response,

Rev Jerry Bowers
Serving Pray California
<http://www.praycal.org/>
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11.    CALIFORNIA CALENDAR
>From: Prayercntn@aol.com
>At: www.prayercommandpost.org

UPCOMING EVENTS OF SOUTHERN CA 2004

SEPT 2-5 "FOUR NIGHTS OF PROPHETIC INTERCESSION & WORSHIP", PASADENA, CA. Hosted by Harvest Rock Church. See www.harvestrockchurch.org <http://www.harvestrockchurch.org/>

SEPT 14-19 "LEADERSHIP NETWORK: LEVEL 2 LEARNING INSTITUTE", FRESNO, CA. See www.connextion.org <http://www.connextion.org/>

SEPT 15 "SEE YOU AT THE POLE"- ACROSS USA. Prayer for Schools. See: www.syatp.org <http://www.syatp.org/>

SEPT 16-18 "CROSSING OVER INTO KINGDOM AUTHORITY" CONFERENCE, BAKERSFIELD, CA. Speakers/Team: Paul Keith, Wanda Davis, Bobby Conner, Shawn Bolz & Scott Brenner. See www.threestrandedcord.com <http://www.threestrandedcord.com/>

SEPT 24-NOV 2 - "40 DAYS OF CORPORATE PRAYER & FASTING FOR NATIONAL REPENTANCE" See www.40daysusa.org <http://www.40daysusa.org/>

OCT 1-2 "UPRISING; THE REVOLUTION OF A MAN'S SOUL", SAN DIEGO, CA. Promise Keepers Conference. See: www.promisekeepers.org <http://www.www.promisekeepers.org/>

OCT 2 - "EXPERIENCING THE REALITY OF LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TODAY", BAKERSFIELD, CA. A Meeting with Dallas Willard from 9-4, hosted at St. Paul's Parish. See www.stpaulsbakersfield.org <http://www.stpaulsbakersfield.org/> for info.

OCT 3-9 - "INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF RECONCILIATION STUDIES RESIDENCY", VENTURA, CA. To explore this unique web-based school for leaders taught by a gathering of world-class scholars and storytellers go to http://www.gracebridge.org/ (select "login", then select "school objectives" for information and proceed accordingly). Students must be enrolled in the International School of Reconciliation Studies to attend the Residency School in Ventura. Enrollment is ongoing 24/7/365 .

OCT 8-9 "UPRISING; THE REVOLUTION OF A MAN'S SOUL", SAN JOSE, CA. Promise Keepers Conference. See: www.promisekeepers.org <http://www.www.promisekeepers.org/>

OCT 15-16 - THE "WITH-GOD LIFE CONFERENCE:, COSTA MESA, CA. A unique Renovare Conference for those seeking to change culture through Spirit-infected character. Host: Newport Vineyard. Speakers/Leaders: Richard Foster, Todd Hunter & Todd Proctor. See: www.renovare.org/withgodlife <http://www.renovare.org/withgodlife>

OCT 21-23 "TOUCHING HEAVEN, CHANGING EARTH", NEVADA CITY, CA. Regional conference hosted by Sierra Ministries & others. See www.sierraministries.org/ <http://www.sierraministries.org/>

NOV 2-4 MISSION AMERICA NATIONAL MEETING, SAN DIEGO, CA. Meetings followed with NATIONAL OUTREACH CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO NOV 3-6. See www.missionamerica.org <http://www.missionamerica.org/> for info on both.

NOV 8-10, "THE KING'S 2004 AUTUMN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, VAN NUYS, CA. Hosted by Jack Hayford & Church on the Way. Speakers: Jack Hayford, Jim Tolle, Joseph Garlington, Ted Haggard, Terry Macalmon and Marcos Witt. See: www.jackhayford.com <http://www.jackhayford.com/>

NOV 10-14, ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE @ HRC, PASADENA, CA. Conference held at Harvest Rock Church. See website for future details: www.harvestrockchurch.org <http://www.harvestrockchurch.org/>

NOV 11-14, "AWAKE; BE ASTOUNDED" CONFERENCE, PHOENIX, AZ. National Aglow Conference. Speakers: Jane Hanson, Barbara Yoder, Graham Cooke, Dutch Sheets & Chuck Pierce. See www.aglow.org <http://www.aglow.org/> for info.

NOV 13 - "THRIVE - AUTHENTIC LIVING" WOMEN'S CONFERENCE. Regional Simulcasts. Hosted by Injoy/John Maxwell. See: www.injoy.com/thrive/ <http://www.injoy.com/thrive/>

NOV 18-21 - BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE, PASADENA, CA. Held at the Rose Bowl. See: www.LACRUSADE.COM <http://www.lacrusade.com/> for information.

Other Ongoing Meetings:
MONTHLY CITYWATCH LOS ANGELES PRAYER MEETINGS @ Hollywood Presbyterian Church: Contact David Andrade: prayunceasingly@juno.com <mailto:prayunceasingly@juno.com>
PRAYER COMMAND POST - EVENTS & MONTHLY PRAYER GATHERINGS. See: www.prayercommandpost.org <http://www.prayercommandpost.org/>

If you want more information on prayer leaders, groups and networks across California, please see the following websites:
www.praycal.org <http://www.praycal.org/>
www.ccnews.org <http://www.ccnews.org/>
www.prayercommandpost.org <http://www.prayercommandpost.org/>

NATIONAL PRAYER MINISTRIES - CA COORDINATORS:
Lydia Fellowship - Rene Rutland 949-552-0322 eml: Justmee23@aol.com <mailto:Justmee23@aol.com>   web: www.lydiafellowship.org <http://www.lydiafellowship.org/>
Moms In Touch (S.CA) - Sue Mooney eml: mitisoca@momsintouch.org <mailto:mitisoca@momsintouch.org>   web: www.momsintouch.org <http://www.momsintouch.org/> / N.CA: Libby: mitinoca@momsintouch.org <mailto:mitinoca@momsintouch.org>
Nat'l Day of Prayer - So. CA Coord: Sharon Barnes sharonann@cityreachingwomen.com <mailto:sharonann@cityreachingwomen.com> CA Coord: Joe Walsh 916-344-1630 eml: walshusa@pacbell.net <mailto:walshusa@pacbell.net> <mailto:walshusa@pacbell.net>
Women's Aglow - Julia Reiff eml: jreiff@lodinet.com <mailto:jreiff@lodinet.com>   web: www.aglow.org <http://www.aglow.org/>
Healing Rooms - Marty & Elyse Reitzin 805-683-8783 web: www.healingrooms.com <http://www.healingrooms.com/>
School Admin Prayer Network - Gary McGuire eml: gtrpt@gte.net <mailto:gtrpt@gte.net>
National Pastors Prayer Network (check for local pastors prayer groups in your area) - Phil Miglioratti www.nppn.org <http://www.nppn.org/>

Prayer Command Post
PO Box 1853
Chino, CA 91708
Office 909-591-1945
Email: prayercntn@aol.com <mailto:prayercntn@aol.com>     Web: www.prayercommandpost.org <http://www.prayercommandpost.org/>
To subscribe send a message & your name to: prayercntn@aol.com <mailto:Prayercntn@aol.com> or write to the above address. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to others!
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12.    ELGIN (CHICAGO), IL: CITYWIDE PRAYER
>From: "Chuck & Sheila Straka" <straka@sbcglobal.net>

House of Prayer Elgin,   HOPE
Praise Him, Pray for our Schools, Pray for our Nation, Pray for our Families

Friday, September 3
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land . 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

First Friday.
What do we do?               Seek the face of God
Why do we do it?             To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever
When do we do it?           The first Friday of each month 7:00 pm
Where do we do it?          The House of Prayer in Elgin
                            Meeting at 270 E. Chicago Street
Who do we meet with?   The Body of Christ
How do we meet?            Worship (Singing)
                                            Praying
                                            Reading God's Word
                                            Giving testimony of the things God has done.
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13.     NEW YORK CITYWIDE PRAYERWALK

SPIRITUAL LIBERTY PROCLAIMED ACROSS NEW YORK CITY
THROUGH FIRST-EVER PRAY NEW YORK! PRAYER WALK
By Katie Sweeting, Associate Director
Concerts of Prayer Greater New York

    Jesus came down and glory filled the city! That is how it felt on Saturday, June 5, 2004 when 5,000 Christians took to the streets in prayer. During the Pray New York! prayer walk, thousands of intercessors went out onto the sidewalks, down into the subways, out into the parks, into the precincts, surrounding the schools, invading the gambling parlors and bars, proclaiming liberty over New York City.

    Five thousand people praying for eight million people may not seem like great odds, but when you add the Holy Spirit, they are overwhelming odds! This prayer walk is unprecedented and it is just the beginning. As testimonies began to flow in, it was evident that participants did not view the June 5th prayer walk as a one-time only event. Most of the 250 churches that were involved are already planning weekly, monthly or quarterly prayer walks in their neighborhoods.

    Dr. Mac Pier and the Board of Directors of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, had a vision for a prayer walk that would cover every street in New York City. We believe that vision will be fulfilled in the months to come. On June 5th over 95% of the 233 zip codes in New York City were covered in prayer. Most of the five boroughs had prayer walkers in every single zip code in the borough!

    Pray New York! was a collaborative effort of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, World Vision New York, the New York March for Jesus, New Hope New York, and the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer. Five pastors and lay prayer leaders were responsible for coordinating efforts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. Each coordinator worked and prayed tirelessly to insure maximum participation and maximum impact of Pray New York! They worked hard at recruiting churches and intercessors to participate.

    Although God gave Dr. Pier a vision, and other organizations lent their support, Pray New York! was truly a God thing. There is no other way to explain the phenomenal response of the people who willingly came out to trainings, and came out to pray. Yes, we had absolutely wonderful coordinators in each of the five boroughs. Yes, we had promotional materials and got the word out through the media. But it was not mans efforts that accomplished an increase in the spiritual temperature of our city. It was a God thing!

Praying Locally
   As the Word of God states in Leviticus 25:10, the thousands of prayer walkers went out to proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. The statistics in New York City are staggering: more than 2 million people live below the poverty line of $16,500 annually for a family of four; up to 90% of children in immigrant churches are leaving the church; more than 100,000 residents have died of AIDS in the past 17 years; and another 100,000 are homeless. The residents of our great city are held captive by poverty, despair, homelessness, drug addiction, and hopelessness. We believe Christ is the answer to all of these problems, and as we walked and prayed, God began to meet people right then and there.
    As Steve Hawthorne states in Seek God for the City, Prayerwalking is praying in the very places we expect God to bring forth His answers. Its usually being on the scene without making one. Prayerwalkers gathered in churches on Saturday morning, June 5th, and dedicated the day to God. Then they went out two by two, to cover designated streets and institutions in the neighborhood surrounding their church. Some teams went into the subways, some went into parks, some covered city hall and government offices. Some elderly teams chose to prayer-drive praying as they drove their cars through the neighborhood.

    How many people were involved?
        Manhattan 230 people from 25 churches
        Brooklyn 2050 people from 103 churches
        Staten Island 500 people from 27 churches
        Bronx 1500 people from 45 churches
        Queens 872 people from 56 churches

    Some churches had a handful of people prayerwalking, and other churches sent 100-200 people out to pray through the neighborhood. But invariably, all the teams strongly sensed the presence of God in our city in a new and profound way. Statistics tell only part of the story. Here are some of the firsthand testimonies from Pray New York! intercessors:

From Manhattan:
How refreshing it was to go walking around the city. We intend to do a
prayerwalk once a week together
    There was a serenity about walking in prayer that was particularly clear
that morning . . . realizing that we were interceding for this city
that God so loves . . .
    We had several divine appointments with individuals. One was with a man from
Tibet with whom we were able to share Christ. We prayed for him and his wife.

From Queens:
   We had people from three other churches 73 in all. We had a glorious time!

From Staten Island:
   People were open, curious and receptive. We asked if they had prayer needs
and were able to pray and share with many of them.
    A next step for us is to spiritually map the area we prayerwalked.
We started with prayer and encouragement from our pastor, and concluded with multiple generations (from 6 years old to 60 years old) lifting holy hands over the map of Staten Island and praying.

From Brooklyn:
   Onlookers commented that this was a wonderful thing we were doing. One
particular woman high on drugs started to cry and asked us to pray for her. We
did and referred her to Anchor House (local Christian drug rehab). We were all
very moved by this encounter.
We were truly overwhelmed with the presence of God and the unity of all those
who participated. The Holy Spirit showed up powerfully as we prayed by the
school and businesses.

Bronx:
   There was a clear sense of Gods anointing on this event. There was a great
sense of unity among churches.
Many people expressed how privileged they were to be able to prayerwalk in the whole neighborhood of 11211. They saw the great needs and prayed with zeal!

    And the stories continue! On June 12th, New Hope Fellowship in Brooklyn, led by Pastor Roger McPhail (PNY! Brooklyn Coordinator), set up a prayer station on 86th Street and 4th Avenue. Before they had finished erecting the prayer booth, a line of people began to form they were ready for prayer. Testimonies from that day include a wheelchair-bound Jewish woman who took her first steps in 17 years; an alcoholic asked what do I have to do to be saved today?; and a bartender and several of her customers came out to the prayer booth for prayer. People from every walk of life approached the booth asking for prayer. Those that worked the prayer booth are convinced that Pray New York! made a difference in the spiritual climate of Brooklyn. We believe that the spiritual climate of our city is changing, and Gods glory will be manifest in our city in our lifetime!

Acting Globally
   In addition to praying locally through Pray New York!, we also encouraged participants to act globally. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is claiming 8,000 precious lives daily, leaving thousands orphaned and widowed. In cooperation with World Vision New York, over a dozen churches held a Hope Sunday, presenting an opportunity to congregants to sponsor a needy child in East Africa. Through this effort hundreds of children, their families and their communities, were positively impacted through the generosity of New York Christians. Many more churches will hold Hope Sundays in the coming months, which spells HOPE for hundreds more children and families.

    Our theme was Pray New York!, A Day to Change the World. We prayed, and God showed up. June 5th was truly a Day to Change the World. But the work is not finished. By Gods grace, and if the Lord tarries, we will coordinate another city-wide prayerwalk in 2005. We pray that prayer leaders in cities across our country will catch the vision for what God can do through a united, concerted, citywide prayer walk, seeking the peace, liberty and redemption of their cities.

Contact: Beverly Cook 718-721-2626, x14
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National Pastors' Prayer Network
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Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/

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___Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or "Confidential" all information and comments sent to phil@nppn.org will be considered for use in a future NPPN Update.
___Copyright 2004. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone in our nation and beyond.
___Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization