Inter-America

Inter-America continues region-wide community prayer focus

June 10 day of prayer held in thousands of homes

Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Thousands of Seventh-day Adventist families across Inter-America earlier this month opened their homes to pray for families, neighbors, friends and community leaders during a territory-wide spiritual revival activity.

The June 10 initiative was the fourth major focus of the church's "Constant in Prayer" revival program, launched earlier this year, which stresses the need for constant prayer for a renewed committed life with Jesus.

With more than a 3.4 million membership in some 10,000 churches and congregations in the territory, top leaders planned the activity to strengthen church families and to reach out to their neighbors.

"The simple plan was to mobilize thousands of church members to open their homes to pray and speak of the power of God through prayer," said Roberto Herrera, Revival and Reformation coordinator for the church in Inter-America.

"It was a joy to visit seven homes during the activity," said Herrera who traveled to San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic. Herrera was among nearly two dozen leaders who traveled to different church regions in Inter-America to participate in initiative.

"It is very clear that the greatest need our members have is spiritual nourishment and any congregation that wants to fulfill this need should go beyond the walls of the church building," Herrera said.

In South Veracruz, in Mexico, Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, spoke to dozens of church ministers and leaders before visiting several homes in the City of Minatitlan.

"We want the church to be known for a people who is in constant in prayer," Leito said. "We trust in our God and we want the Adventist homes to be known as prayer centers, centers that can offer comfort."

In North Colombia, more than 15,000 homes joined to pray, fellowship, and worship during the activity, said Gustavo Perez, Family Ministries director for the church in North Colombia.

"I am so glad for this initiative," said Sandra Espinel, a church member who opened her home to neighbors and friends. "Prayer is the foundation where we can strengthen our families."

Homes like Espinel's represent a potential for small groups which can be formed and expand in an already growing ministry throughout the territory, said Melchor Ferreyra, Personal Ministries director in charge of small group ministry for the church in Inter-America.

In El Salvador, more than 25,000 Adventist homes participated in the prayer initiative focused on families.

In Grenada, Justice Clare Henry, an Adventist high court judge for the eastern Caribbean, joined in the home of members to pray for neighbors and community leaders.

Honduras also had over 2,000 homes throughout the Central American country inviting their neighbors to pray and share bible truths with them.

In Guatemala, more than 10,000 homes became houses of prayer throughout the country. The activity was part of the initiative that has leaders thankful for the spiritual revival.

Hundreds of churches held worship services focused on prayer and special baptisms took place throughout the territory on June 11.

It's all connected, said Leito, who hopes that more community involvement and more evangelism activities come out through the prayer initiative. Top leaders are already setting the first weekend in June of 2012 to encourage Adventist families to open their homes as prayer centers.

The church in Inter-America will continue its emphasis on prayer and additionally focus on studying the Bible and the writings of church co-founder Ellen G. White.

The new emphasis will be called "Heeding the Word" and will be launched on July 23 during a special live program from El Salvador.

To find out more about Inter-America's Constant in Prayer initiative, visit www.praying4revival.org and www.estamosorando.org

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