PORTLAND CONSULTATION FOLLOWS NATIONAL PRAYER SUMMIT
Many of those that attended had just completed the four-day North American National Leaders Prayer Summit, sponsored by Northwest Renewal Ministries and the U.S. Lausanne Committee. With these two significant events occurring back to back, a sense of urgency and priority of bringing the Gospel to our cities was strengthened. Over 200 leaders from around the country worshipped and prayed together for hours. Men and women from a variety of denominational affiliations began to experience the destruction of barriers from prejudice, gender and the lack of unity that has for too long characterized the body of Christ. It was nothing less than God's Spirit at work. No doubt, these spiritual victories will have a ripple effect, as the Apostle Paul says, in the heavenly realms.
The AD2000 National Consultation was held in late August in Portland, Oregon. Over 50 cities were represented by those that attended. Sponsored by Mission America 2000 and Mission Portland, the three day conference focused on three elements of a city-wide movement: prayer, networking and catalytic evangelistic strategies.
The Consultation brought a wealth of information to city leaders. Five citywide movements were highlighted. Just as people and snowflakes, the citywide strategies varied from city to city. The common element elevated throughout the Consultation was PRAYER. From Atlanta to New York to Pittsburgh to Minneapolis
to St. Paul to Portland God was shown to be moving among the Christian communities to unite and mobilize them to those
unreached around them; yet, never seeming to move any quicker than His people could advance on their knees.
For information on future national consultations, contact John Quam, Mission America 2000,612-853-1741.
WORLD CUP SOCCER UNITES NINE U.S. CITIES
America knows the sports-minded American. SOA is an umbrella organization of over 100 denominations and national ministries partnering together to provide resources and training for local organizing committees to conduct evangelistic outreaches around the World Cup.
24 nations with over 1 million visiting internationals will converge on nine U.S. cities from June 17 to July 17, 1994, to compete for the right to be called the best soccer team in the world. The nine cities are: Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Orlando. The total worldwide viewing audience for their July 17 final game in Los Angeles is projected to be 2.5 billion people.
Dave Gibson, National Host City Coordinator, says, "It's great to see so many members of the Christian community participating...Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold evangelistic breakfasts, Luis Palau leading sports rallies, Student Venture and the Southern
Baptist Home Mission Board are focusing on a major youth effort, literature distribution by International Bible Society and Discovery Publishing House... and many, many others are partnering together to really leverage this event to bring Christ to people who don't yet know Him."
For additional information, contact Sports Outreach America in Pasadena, CA. at 818-398-2378.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES FORMED IN TWIN CITIES EFFORT
A unique opportunity is in store for the body of Christ this March of 1994. A conference called "Free to Reach Our City" is taking place at Crystal Evangelical Free Church March 9-11. It is unique in that God has brought together two powerful, anointed communicators: Dr. Neil Anderson, Freedom in Christ Ministries and Ed Silvo so, Harvest Evangelism.
Neil and Ed will share from the Word their heart on spiritual warfare, setting
our churches free, intimacy with God and actually how to reach a city for
Christ. Also exciting is that Student Venture/Campus Crusade for Christ is
teaming up with hundreds of churches to sponsor this in cooperation with the
Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals and Mission Twin Cities. Please be in prayer. For more details, call 612-754-3134
MISSION MISSISSIPPI IS BORN
Recently God has been putting together a vision in the hearts of Christian leaders from Jackson Mississippi to work together for reconciliation and evangelism
throughout that metropolitan area and covering the whole state. In order to launch this vision, kickoff rallies were scheduled for October 24-26, 1993. Preceding these rallies a prayer strategy was initiated including weekly prayer meetings, monthly prayer rallies and prayer breakfasts. In addition, regular community picnics were held throughout the city encouraging local Christians to join together and experience the unity and diversity of the Body of Christ.
At the heart of their vision was a concern for reconciliation and from the beginning Leadership was divided
SO/50
between black and white, representing the actual population of the area. During the period of the October kick- off rallies, many assemblies were held in high schools throughout the city led by Pat Morley and Tom Skinner. In these assembly programs both spoke openly about the Lord Jesus Christ without opposition. Evening rallies brought in 7,000 and 12,000 with many making personal commitments to Christ. LeRoy Paris, Executive Director of Mission Mississippi, reported strong encouragement from both the Governor and the Mayor of Jackson and positive reporting by both television and newspaper media. They anticipate similar rallies on an annual basis and ongoing city strategies for reaching not only the Jackson area but the whole state.
Stay tuned. We are sure to hear more from Mission Mississippi.
WICHITA CHURCHES RALLY AROUND
" YOUTH CRISIS AWARENESS WEEK"
September 27-0ctober
3,
Wichita area residents witnessed the Body of Christ at work in a unique way. Recognizing the desperate situation facing youth today, a theme phrase "if nothing else...let's save our kids!" was spread throughout the city on bumper stickers and buttons. A number of national Christian youth speakers were brought to Wichita and were involved in holding 73 school assemblies throughout the area. Although the ACLU and others sought to oppose the work of God in this significant united effort, many great victories were won for Christ and His Kingdom.
While they were not able to announce the evening rallies at the school assemblies, God gave a new strategy through fast food outlets in the area to spread the invitation to a major rally at the football stadium that week- end. Approximately 15,000 young people crowded the stadium and over 2000 made a commitment to Jesus Christ that evening. It is estimated that an additional 2000 received Christ in other meetings throughout the week. In another family night rally 6000 gathered together in a special reconciliation service bridging again the gap between races, denominations and diverse Christian backgrounds, seeking to demonstrate the love of Christ and the unity in His Body. Ongoing vision for the city of Wichita is continuing to emerge and we look for- ward to additional reports of victories for God's Kingdom in that area.
