20 July 2011

Prayer is the best hope for Texas and the nation, Lindale, Texas, Mayor Jim Mallory said to about 70 Response supporters on Monday at City Hall. "We are investing in the future," said Mallory, third from right. "Nothing could be more significant." The Rev. Roy Devisscher of Community Christian Fellowship and the Rev. Dan Cummins, right, of Bridlewood Church of Bullard stand with Mallory.
                                                Photo Courtesy Of Roland HeddinsSolemnity Of Aug. 6 Event Stressed At Lindale Proclamation

By Patrick Butler | Resonate News

LINDALE, Texas — Proclaiming that prayer works, Lindale Mayor Jim Mallory met with about 70 supporters of The Response on Monday at City Hall. Mallory read an official proclamation affirming Texas Gov. Rick Perry's call for an Aug. 6 day of prayer and repentance at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

“What we are doing here today is significant because it represents the values we are investing in the future,” said Mallory to the gathering, noting the children present. “This is no ordinary proclamation.”

Warrie Blackburn, mother of two, carefully listened to the mayor while she held her 3-years-old daughter, Addison, in her arms.

“I'm here because I'm concerned about where our nation is heading,” she said, as Addison snuggled into her shoulders. “My husband and I support the local prayer initiative of The Response. We will pray everyday before Aug. 6 and on Aug. 6, too. It's time to take this seriously.”

The Response will be simulcast to churches throughout Texas, including Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler at 1607 Troup Highway, and Lindale's Community Christian Fellowship at 15704 Texas Highway 110 North in Garden Valley, adjacent to the International Operations Center of Mercy Ships.

The Response prayer event will consist of three components, said the Rev. Dan Cummins, senior pastor of Bridlewood Church of Bullard. Cummins is promoting the event in East Texas and stood with Mallory and Roy Devisscher of Community Christian Fellowship during the proclamation.

“The Response will focus on prayer and praise, followed by biblical instruction on prayer and what to pray for,” Cummins said. “There will be no speeches, there will be no sermons, there will be no recognition of political dignitaries or even ministers. This is going to be a solemn assembly. There will be no venders, no T-shirts, no selling or passing out of any kind of materials. We even ask those coming not to wear political T-shirts or bring any kind of posters.”

Derogatory speech or behavior against — or for — a particular group, party or denomination is out, Cummins said.

“We are not coming to pray against anyone or for anyone,” he said. “We are coming to repent as a nation, individually and corporately, to repent as churches for our division and to see God's mercy on our country.” Perry is not involved in the planning of The Response, said Cummins, and has taken a “hands-off” posture as he distances himself.

“Gov. Perry has turned the organization of The Response over to three well-known Christian organizations,” Cummins said. “The American Family Association, The International House of Prayer and Somebody Cares, America. These are the organizations responsible for this prayer rally.”

Even though Perry has attempted to distance himself from this prayer event, said Cummins, more attention is coming his way than in times past.

“The Response is not the first prayer rally he (Perry) has been responsible for initiating. For The Response, he has tried many times to distance himself by giving control to pastors,” said Cummins, “but it seems the press and certain groups are determined to push him back to the forefront. We need to pray for our governor, regardless of how you may feel about him politically. I'm thankful we have a governor who will do what God commands us as pastors to do. I'm really embarrassed as a pastor that it took a politician to call us to our knees, as God commands us pastors to do.”

Most supporters who turned out Monday seemed to come from local churches and ministries operating in the northern part of Smith County, including several pastors. The Rev. Steven Charles of The Fellowship of Prairie Creek said, “My wife, Camilla, and I came to support this call out to God to heal our land, so our nation will be blessed. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

Hank Hering, 53, of Tyler, said “The primary thing I wanted to see is that believers would be sealed together in prayer and intercession and become the light to the nation that we should be."

Strong applause greeted the conclusion of Mallory's remarks and reading of the proclamation designating Aug. 6 a day of prayer in Lindale. The Rev. David Hickey of Community Christian Fellowship closed the gathering with a prayer.

Mallory said he was sure that the affect of the proclamation — and the prayer gathering in Houston Aug. 6 — would “be significant.”

“I hope all elected officials in East Texas take note of how many people are interested in this event and in prayer,” Mallory said to Resonate News. “That in and of itself is significant.”

Visit www.theresponseusa.com for more information about The Response.
                                                                                            

 

 

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