Prayer Summits 2008:
Your Open Invitation

Last fall a number of focus groups met to discuss plans for the Prayer Summits in 2008. Most of their questions involved the same kind of concern: “Why should we come?”

The straight answers seemed to satisfy best: If you are “a numbers person,” after the first three summits on a scale of one to five, we are averaging 4.8 in approval ratings. For the “relational folk” who look for a good reference, the three Michigan districts are now planning their own district prayer initiatives.

Prayer summit facilitator, Tom White, is a seasoned veteran in leading prayer summits. He is a Wesleyan graduate of Asbury, has led prayer summits globally for 18 years and has authored three books including Citywide Prayer Movements. The Board of General Superintendents is also providing leadership to this refreshing movement.

Mike Stipp writes that “The pastors who attended the NNU summit are still talking about the special encounter with the presence of God. Pastors and district superintendents were seated in a circle of chairs when the presence of God interrupted us. The embrace of the Spirit was powerful, moving, and unforgettable.”

If you need a further recommendation, talk to Wisconsin District Superintendent, Randy Berkner. His feedback is worth repeating, “In a culture where one’s worth is often measured in terms of doing, it is somewhat counterintuitive for ministers to temporarily lay aside pressing demands and devote 48 hours for simply being with Jesus. I’m so glad that I did!” Our Northwest District Superintendent, Randy Craker, has asked his district to schedule Tom White to return for a prayer summit with all his district team.

These 48-hour gatherings have all been anointed with freedom in the Spirit. The hours have been filled with prayer, communion, praise and worship, and life application from the Word of God. Those participating described a profound personal and community encounter with God. The next five prayer summits will be held from April to July 2008 on the following educational regions: ENC, TNU, MVNU, SNU and PLNU. See the ad in this issue on the following page for further details.

To request a prayer summit brochure, please call the Clergy Development office at (800) 306-7651 or view details on the Web.