PRAYER INITIATIVES IN THE INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION

A very special effort is being put forward, in order for the church to be on her knees. A very special call to prayer has been proclaimed by the leadership of the World Church and, the Inter-American Division, as always, is at the forefront of answering this call. The activities in our Division will not only be limited to a call to intensive prayer, but also an aggressive program to bring us together before the throne of grace will be prepared.

The church is asked to do all in its power and influence to make our prayer meetings a real time of refreshing. Pastors and Elders are challenged to make the Wednesday night prayer meeting one of the major meetings of the church each week. It must be structured in such a way that members will abandon any other activity in order to be at the prayer meeting. Anyone not attending a prayer meeting must feel a loss of a special opportunity and privilege. Why can’t our prayer meetings be like the divine service on Sabbath morning? It is as important as the Divine Service, and should be given this kind of preeminence among our services. It is the special time when the church comes together to communicate with the Lord. Let us pray for our prayer meetings and, with the Lord’s help, make them the best meeting possible in the life of the church. Why not have a moment for children, teaching them through a story about the importance of prayer, just like we do on Sabbath morning? Why not have special worship songs, soloists, or any other group present a special number? Why not put the best speakers to speak on Wednesday night, instead of using the prayer meeting as a training ground for novice preachers? Why not organize the church to actively participate in worship and prayer during this time, with special offering, etc.

The Inter-American Division has voted and is promoting some very special meetings to bring this matter of prayer life to the forefront and keep it there until the Lord returns. These meetings are as follows:

1. PRAYER SUMMIT
This will be held at the Division headquarters, starting on Friday night, March 10, 2006. All Union administrators and local field administrators are expected to attend this very special meeting. Along with the president, secretary and treasurer of each union and local field, a representation of lay members and pastors, as decided by the unions, will also be in attendance. This is a very special meeting to be conducted on Friday night and during the Sabbath. It is the very first time in the history of the Inter-American Division that such a meeting will be taking place, and praise the Lord, it is to pray together and to talk about prayer together.

Following this prayer summit, the leaders of the unions and the local fields will stay for a very special gathering on leadership principles and practices for all those holding leadership positions as administrators in the church. This will take place Sunday, March 12, and Monday the 13th.

2. PRAYER SABBATHS
On any given Sabbath in the Inter-American, there will be a church having a Sabbath of prayer and fasting. Some churches even plan to go into the night in a prayer vigil. We don’t want these churches to be alone. We are gathering all the information on any church that is having a Prayer Sabbath, in order to be with them in presence and in spirit. Plans are, as soon as we have the list of at least 52 churches and the dates they are conducting their Prayer Sabbath, to assign a representative from the Inter-American Division to spend that Sabbath specifically with the church, to pray with them, and to pray for their specific needs. It is the intention to have this specific church mentioned and prayed for in all the nearly seven thousand churches in the Inter-American Division on the Sabbath morning. The prayer attention of the whole Division will be focused on that particular church to uphold them in intercessory prayer that Sabbath. If that church has access to the internet, young people from all the churches in Inter-America are encouraged to communicate with them in chat rooms on that Sabbath, sharing the joys of praying together. If they have a phone and can so organize it, other churches are encouraged to call and pray with them at specific times. The Prayer Sabbaths must be the best and most memorable Sabbath in the year for that particular church.

3. FESTIVALS OF PRAYER
Each union is encouraged to organize a Festival of Prayer and Praise, where representatives from all over the union will come as delegates to this very special gathering. Plans have been formulated to have a representative from the General Conference as guest speakers for these Prayer Festivals in each union.

Yes, prayer must be the most important thing in our life during this year, and should remain so until Jesus comes. We are assured, that “If my people pray…” (2 Chron. 7:14). Let us make prayer the center of our worship and devotion, and always remember that the Lord has opened this channel to communicate directly with us.

Blessings
Israel Leito
President Inter-American Division

Grand Bahama Academy
The principal and staff of Grand Bahama Academy expresses heartfelt thanks to all those who supported their Commonwealth Day luncheon.

Health Expo
For the second year, the Shiloh Church will hold its annual Health Expo at the Church grounds tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Health Expo is a scientific view of TOTAL HEALTH showing how disease is prevented and reversed through the NEW START health promotion plan.

The Health Expo features eight entertaining and beautifully illustrated lifestyle exhibits with easy to understand text showing how to prevent disease and maintain a healthy lifestyle. At the various exhibits you can receive blood pressure checks, computer health age analysis, healthful (and delicious) food samples, hydrotherapy demonstrations, special events and poster contest for children, the special Carotid Artery Test (IMT) that allows you to test the build up of cholesterol in your arteries, plenty of information on Diabetes and many more activities.

HEALTH EXPO is something you cannot afford to miss –NEW START HEALTH EXPO –it can change your life!

Condolences
Pastor E. Bryan Tinker and family are in New Providence today attending the funeral service for Pastor Tinker’s brother. Please remember to pray for the family.

Youth Ministries
All persons interested in being a part of the sports committee of the North Bahamas Mission is asked to meet with Pastor Bain on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. at the Freeport Church Fellowship Hall. This is very important.

All persons going to the “No More Chains” Youth Conference in Atlanta is asked to meet with Pastor Bain at the Freeport Church at 7:00 p.m. tonight. This is urgent (information will be given at this time).

Church Planting Committee Meeting
Church planting committee will meet on Sunday March 26, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Shiloh Church. Committee members are asked to bring the guidelines proposal.

Thank You
Dr. Hurbert Thompson, President of Northern Caribbean University is grateful to you for your prayers on behalf of their daughter who is out of the coma but still in hospital.

Executive Committee Meeting
All members of the North Bahamas Mission Executive Committee are reminded of their meeting on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.

Happy Sabbath!