LITTLE ROCK – More than 200 Arkansas Baptists gathered at the City Center in Little Rock on Monday and Tuesday for the 10th Annual Statewide Prayer Gathering: A United Cry for Authentic Awakening.
The facilitator of the two-day gathering was Bill Elliff, founding and national engage pastor of The Summit Church in Little Rock. He also serves on the Prayer Task Force at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC).
The event kicked off with a welcome from ABSC Interim Executive Director Dr. Rex Horne, who called the prayer gathering a “wonderful thing.”
“I, probably like you, have come tonight with expectations. I am sure it will be a time that we pray and ask the Lord to forgive us. It will be a time that we pray and ask the Lord to fill us. It will be a time that we just ask the Lord to unify us as one so that we might be more useful in this day where the only hope we have is the Lord Jesus Himself,” Horne told those gathered in the building.
Attendees then heard testimony from Shane Fore, pastor at the Main Street campus of Maple Grove Baptist Church in Trumann. Prayer exhorters of the evening included Elliff, Jordan Bowen of Hillcrest Community Church in Little Rock, Chad Graves of Compass Church in Batesville, and Jonathan Burgin of Summit Church in Conway.
Tuesday morning began with a welcome, recap and prayer by Woodland Heights Baptist Church Pastor Larry White, who serves on the ABSC Prayer Task Force.
“I just pray for an outpouring of Your spirit over the next few hours that will not only impact us today but, Lord, it will go back to our churches and communities and there will be a revival that sweeps through this state like never before,” White prayed. “We give You all the glory and grace.”
Prayer exhorters on the second day included Elliff, Greg Addison of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith and Todd Kaunitz of New Beginnings in Longview, Texas. The morning also included a panel facilitated by Elliff on redeeming the next generation that was comprised of Conway BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry) Campus Minister Brandon Moore, Summit Church in Conway Associate Pastor Blake Hudspeth, Summit Church in Little Rock Student Pastor Caleb Seals and Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock Children’s Minister Carrie Yager.
First Baptist Church in Dewitt Pastor Jimmy Albrecht, who has attended the event each year since its start, said he enjoys that it brings focus on the prayer aspect of the Christian life.
“Prayer is the lifeblood that we have as believers,” he said. Additionally, Albrecht said it is encouraging to gather with other believers from around the state.
Throughout the two days, God moved in the hearts of those who attended as they prayed for spiritual awakening and a great sweeping movement of God across the state, the nation, and the world.
A full video of the prayer gathering will be available soon on the ABSC website as a resource.
2 Responses
Please let me know when these Videos by Exhorters will be available. I wish to share them with our Church as we prepare for our Fall Revival Services with Warren Gassaway starting Oct. 8
I am praying the Lord will fan the flames of Prayer & Revival in these days afresh in our State. I am truly grateful for this unique call to prayer and for all who shared!