Pastors Newsletter October 2001

Vol. 3 No. 10                                                                           October 2001  

Does a Pastor Have Time for a Bible Study?

"Experiencing God," and "...seeing where God is at work and then joining Him there," are now in the vocabulary of congregations of all denominational stripes.  Henry Blackaby's teachings move static Christianity to a dynamic relationship with God who communicates.

Blackaby is now leading sacred assemblies in major cities.  These assemblies lead communities to corporate repentance through teaching and prayer.  Blackaby explains the link between repentance and revival -- preparing the way for a pronounced move of God in a city.

 Jim Gerlt and Gary Galanos, pastor and intercessor (respectively) at Indiana Avenue, have been touched by Blackaby's study of repentance.  Jim believes that pastors who are serious about leading their congregations through a study and season of repentance would benefit from first studying this material together. Imagine a group of pastors from several different denominations studying and praying over personal repentance and confession, God's pattern for revival, and congregational patterns which hinder revival in our local churches!

 Jim and Gary have offered to lead just such a group on Thursday mornings at 10:30 at the Metro Tower Conference Room beginning 26 October and continuing for six Thursdays through 6 December.

Pastors will work through the study book "Fresh Encounter."  There will be no cost, as study books have been donated for this purpose.  We believe that many pastors will choose to then use this study to kick off 2002 in sermons, Wednesday night teaching, small group studies, Sunday school classes, etc. Congregations will have time to complete this study in 2002 just prior to Henry Blackaby's visit to our city 21-23 February.

 You may register for Jim's classes by phone (749-PRAY) or E-mail (steve@praylubbock.com). Call a colleague and encourage him/her to attend with you.

 Pastors Prayer Meeting and Meal

"Not forsaking our own assembling together," we will meet on Wednesday, 17 October, from Noon to 1:00 on the 19th floor of the Metro Tower. Intercessors are invited to gather to pray for the pastors in room #1903, down the hall.

 Our fellowship meal for pastors will follow at First Assembly of God, (Tom Lakey, pastor).  We will meet at their relatively new location at 98^th Street and Memphis.  The fastest route from the Metro Tower will be to take I-27 South to 82nd Street Exit (98th Street Exit is currently closed).  Take 82nd to University and turn south to 98th, then turn west on 98th and then left on Memphis.

 First Local Church Prayer Leaders Meeting Set

Summit Being Rescheduled

Certainly by now you all know our fall summit keynote speaker, Ted Haggard, was unable to fly to Lubbock on 12 September.  In addition, we knew pastors needed to be close to their congregations after the attacks in NYC and DC.  For these reasons, we decided to completely cancel our summit scheduled for 13-14 September 2001.  Plans are in the making to reschedule this event, and Ted has assured us of his interest in coming and his desire to reschedule.  No date has been set at this time, but we're considering Spring 2002.

 Like Moses Praying for Joshua...

Do you remember the first years of See You at the Pole?  It was exciting to see students gather once a year around their flagpoles to pray.  DO YOU REALIZE THIS SCENE IS NOW REPEATED FROM 7:00 TO 8:00 A.M. EVERY WEDNESDAY ON MANY OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL AND JR. HIGH CAMPUSES IN LUBBOCK??? Our youth have a passion for prayer!!

 For that reason, youth directors of our city have begun gathering at the Metro Tower on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. in order to pray for praying students all over our city.  Just like Moses observing from the mountain peak while Joshua led the battle below, (see Exodus 17:8-16) our youth are leading the battle on their campuses while their leaders assure the victory as they pray atop the mountain!  What a powerful reenactment of this Biblical principal!

 If the jr. high and/or senior high youth ministry director in your congregation is unaware of this meeting, please let him/ her know that this prayer meeting takes place every week.

 Tech's Ministry Leaders Meet for

Prayer and Training

How exciting it was to pray over Tech's campus through the Metro Tower windows and to pray over the 550 sheets of paper listing each of the nearly 26,000 Tech students. On Monday, 1 October, the university ministry leaders met for their monthly prayer gathering.

Those lists of Tech students are already making their way into the hands of praying students who are part of the 50+ Christian organizations whose target is to reach the campus for Jesus.  This is the third semester we have made this effort to see every Tech student prayed for by name at least once a week. We are praying especially for Divine appointments for non-believers and the return of prodigal students.  We also prayed into a vision, received by a seasoned intercessor, of the Lord's desire to move on the campus in a unique way. The university ministry leaders are fearless and ready to be used to present Jesus to the campus and the campus to Jesus!

 Jay Fuglaar, pastor of Christ Community at Northridge, led some training on the subject, "How should a ministry leader respond to a prophetic word?"  What a great time of impartation from a senior pastor to the next generation!

 Our next meeting of university ministry leaders will be Monday, 5 November, at 4:00 p.m.

 Grants Received – Funds Still Needed

Thanks are due to several pastors in our city who have written letters attesting to the significance of the prayer movement in our city.  Their testimonies were favorably received when the Betenbough Charitable Foundation granted a request for funds for the ministry of Pray Lubbock. This greatly appreciated grant does not, however, eliminate the need for congregations to participate through financial support.  We are currently over two months behind in meeting our budget.  As you are planning your congregation’s budget for 2002, please consider joining several other congregations contributing regularly.

 Could your congregation be the next to join other congrega-tions who are working toward a goal of giving one-half of one percent of their budgets to this prayer movement in our city?

 Pray for One Another!

7 Oct. –      Bellaire Baptist Church, Scott Edmonson

                    Alexander Chapel C.O.G.I.C., George Pope

14 Oct. –    Carpenter's Church, Brent McCay

                    Alliance Baptist Church, Sam Silva

21 Oct. –    Central Baptist Church,  Dean Harris

                    Broadway Church of Christ, Rodney Plunket

28 Oct. –    Christ Temple C.O.G.I.C., David Haynes

                    Calvary Baptist Church, Chris Sutton

4 Nov. –     Christian Life Assembly of God, John Murdoch

                    Cathedral of Praise, Gary Scoggins

11 Nov. –   Christian Life Center, Stan Martin

    Central Lubbock Church of Christ, Leonard Jarman

18 Nov. –   Cooper UMC, Cameron Givan

    Christ Community at Northridge, Jay Fuglaar