Metrolina Mission Prayer Journey 2008

Mona Hearne's Testimony

2008-08-10T15:50:00.002-04:00

I've just returned from a powerfilled mission prayer journey through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Canada.
But isn’t it amazing, God’s kingdom plans and purposes go on and on and on. So this is a testimony, a connection, of my experience in Canada as related to an experience I had a day after my return to my home in NC.

While in Canada my team worshipped our God together in a church on the island of Laval (which we learned means Island of Jesus). The name of the church is Renaissance.
While worshipping with the saints there, the word of God was preached from Psalm 51. Cross references were from 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12. We experienced afresh King David's lament over his sin with Bathsheba. The message was powerful, the messenger of that sermon had experienced the tragedy and pain of sin and it's consequences, yet a man who’d confessed and repented of his sin, thus set free by the love, mercy and grace of God.

Once home, our Lord brought someone in my path that needed to hear the reassuring words I’d heard during the Psalm 51 sermon. I shared with my new found friend, and am confident that it was God’s kingdom purpose for this to happen. I encouraged my friend to read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 139 as well. These truths are powerful to my own life.

WE ARE ALL SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR. His name is Jesus. Hallelujah. And each of our lives pages are written in His book. Each man, woman, boy and girl is a creation of God, wonderfully and fearfully made. Prone to sin. Meant to be reconciled to God our Creator through Jesus Christ, The Messiah.

My new found friend was comforted by God through His word. So am I.
OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus!. Hebrews 12:1-3; accomplishing the work He has sent us to do as we march with Him, thus glorifying Him through our lives on this earth. John 17:4.

Father, find us faithful to join You in Your work 24/7.

Mona

Ervie Pridgen's Testimony

2008-08-10T15:48:00.000-04:00

This was my fourth mission journey and the best yet. One of the things that made it so special was having a focus on prayer. We were privileged to see our Father at work in so many ways because we were joining Him where He was already at work.

What a joy it was to see Mission Service Corps volunteers still at work whom we met four years ago in North Bennington, Vermont, and to rejoice over the progress that has been made at Capstone Church by volunteer teams from many areas during that time. Joining in their Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting was a very special blessing as the Pastor asked us to pray for workers to assist with their youth and to pray for the church building to pass inspection so worship can be held within the church.

It was so encouraging to meet the new North American Missionary and his wife in Montreal and also the four new Southern Baptist pastors already working in that area of Canada.

We were glad to see what the Lord is accomplishing in the Montreal Haitian church family as it continues to grow where we worked last year.

It was a very special blessing to be a part of this prayer journey and to see the many connections that were made by the Lord during this experience.

Ervie Pridgen

Midwood Baptist Church

Cheryl Baldwin's Testimony

2008-08-10T15:47:00.000-04:00

How exciting it has been to see God at work on this journey!! Everywhere we went there was evidence that He is working mightily in our city, state, nation's capitol, Vermont and Quebec, Canada. I think what impacted me the most was meeting with the new church planters in Montreal. There were at least 4 nationalities represented and to hear the hearts of these dear servants as they are so burdened for the lost in Quebec was convicting and inspiring. How I praise God for these men and women serving so faithfully!

~Cheryl Baldwin

Bob Lowman's Testimony

2008-08-10T15:46:00.003-04:00

The Metrolina Mission Prayer Journey gave me an opportunity to see the big picture of the Acts 1:8 witness in a ten day period, as we prayed from our Jerusalem in Charlotte, North Carolina to the ends of the earth in Quebec, Canada. One of the most powerful prayer moments for me came as we prayed with servants of the Lord at the International Mission Board in Richmond, realizing how we as Baptist Christians are not praying with these faithful servants as we ought. Also, the favor God gave as we prayed with our leaders in Washington was amazing, especially with Senator Richard Burr, who welcomed us warmly into his office and prayed with us openly. I came home with a resolve to travel to Washington and Richmond with prayer teams from our association more often to stand in the gap for them on-site. The experiences we had in Vermont and then in Quebec reminded me of the power of partnership missions, and I came home ready to encourage our churches to answer God’s call to partner with believers in these two significant harvest fields as often as possible. God brought our team together in great ways, and we learned to pray well together, blessed and even surprised by the quick answers God gave to our humble prayers. Prayer is the starting place and the sustaining place for missions and ministry. We saw this first hand as we journeyed together through the harvest fields of North America.

~Bob Lowman, Jr.

Executive Director

Metrolina Baptist Association

Pastor Garry's Testimony

2008-08-10T15:45:00.001-04:00

The blessing of this years 2008 Prayer Journey was seeing the divine "Favor of God" responding so
quickly and positively to our Prayers. Never before have I seen God show Himself so mighty.
From helping us arrive to our destinations on time, to opening the doors to those He would have us to see, God was in the midst. Over 700 "prayer tent pegs" were placed from Charlotte, N.C. up the East Coast and ending in Montreal Canada.
Each of these "Blood Red" pegs represented the prayers of God's People in the Power of the Blood of Lamb of God.
The "insights" given to us "onsite" was the "highlight".
Glory to the name of our Lord!

~Pastor Garry

The Journey Comes to a Close

2008-07-31T11:04:00.008-04:00

As the Journey came to a close, the team ventured forth the Old Montreal for relaxation and shopping. This beautiful town is a main tourist attraction in Canada and it was a great opportunity for us to spend time with one another on a more personal level. God truly worked this past week and it was a blessing to be together. Following this excursion, we drove across the border to Pennsylvania and stayed their for our suprise of the Sights and Sounds Theatre. We attended "In the Beginning.." musical and progressed throughout Amish Country on our way home. Finally on Wednesday, we arrived in Charlotte where our Journey began.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"

Isaiah 52:7

Worship the Lord with Gladness

2008-07-27T22:14:00.008-04:00

In the Renaissance Church (located in scenic The Cinema)

They really enjoyed the puppets!

Pastor Garry REALLY likes Sorbet...

Eye examinations

Ice Cream and Cake and Cake... Ice Cream and Cake!!

Prayer Changes Lives

2008-07-27T22:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning, Pastor Garry and Pastor Bob did a prayer and leadership conference for the Southern Baptist pastors in the area. Along with that Cheryl and Karla ministered to the pastor's wives, encouraging them in the Lord for the work their husbands are a part of. Those of us not a part of this conference went prayerwalking all over the city for the Lord's reign to fall and consume the land. At the end of the conference, we all went lunch and then split into prayerwalking teams, including the pastors, to cover their churches and the community around them with prayer and supplication.

Fruits of Labor

2008-07-27T21:20:00.007-04:00

Pastor Garry's infamous Moose Call...

From our journey out of Vermont and into Canada... a picture is worth a thousand words...

According to His Will

2008-07-26T23:36:00.004-04:00

We have crossed the border and are now being missionaries to Canada for the next few days. The first day in Canada was a learning experience because it taught us to be content without understanding all that was going on around us. It truly can be a struggle to enter a land where English is not an official language and one must be accommodated but the Lord has made a way. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed by the hotel and later by Pastor Jacque and Martiane. When we met Jacque and his wife we were privileged to go to dinner at La Stanza Buffet to enjoy fellowship and the food offered there (it was very different, but good). Through our fellowship we learned a lot about Quebec and how different it is from the rest of Canada. The people here are best explained as post-modern, whatever you believe is fine and whatever I believe is fine, type of attitude toward everything. But we truly feel that the Lord is going to break through those walls to build His church, making it what He wants it to be.

Following dinner, we all got ready and went to service at Eglise Evangelique Bethanie, a Haitian congregation in Montreal. The pastor, Benoit Dalce, and his congregation greeted us with open arms of love and joy because we all share the joy of knowing Christ and Him being Lord over our lives. The worship service lasted 2 hours, but it was a wonderful 2 hours. Though we spoke two different languages, we were worshipping ONE God and that is all that matters. This worship service was simply abandoned praise of the Father that has captured the hearts of those who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Along with worship, the congregation gave thanks to the Lord for the gift we brought of an electronic projector in order to enhance the worship experience. Their gratitude and love was beyond any that one might be able to completely imagine. It was apparent that despite our hardships and struggles, the Lord is present to “meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

The Harvest is Plentiful

2008-07-24T22:00:00.006-04:00

This day of prayer began as dreary, physically, as the previous day had ended. But our hearts did not resemble the rain, instead we were full of joy and excitement for what the Lord has been doing. I truly believe that the team awoke in the greatest spirit that had been displayed since we began this journey. Our travel through Vermont finally brought us to Montpelier where met Dewey and Kathie Aiken for lunch and a time of prayer for this great state. We prayed that the Lord would let righteous reign and that laws that He desired would pass and those of man’s fleshly desires. We also visited the Brick church and Resurrection Baptist where a team from Idewild Baptist in Charlotte are facilitating Outrigger Island (VBS) for the children and youth of the community. The work the Lord is doing here in Vermont is wonderful for we are seeing prayers come to fruition and the ground being tilled; we serve an AWESOME God.

Well, upon leaving Montpelier we went to Burlington and the surrounding area to pray. Though the ride was short our team had a great time of developing a close unity despite the continual use of the word “Moose” (long story). But through this simply, silly action we grew together in laughter and as believers for we all came with different ideas of what the Lord would do but HE had a plan and we are simply following it.

In Burlington we were able to meet up with some of Mona's dear friends and pray for the city in a Unitarian church lawn. The darkness seemed to illuminate that place but as we prayed and pleaded with the Father the heaviness was lifted from us...His presence was known. This time of prayer was truly an eye opening experience to the darkness that surrounds this part of Vermont, particularly; but the encouraging things is that we serve a God who is GREATER than the evil one and He reigns victorious no matter what. That greatness has been shown so obviously in this day no matter how dreary it is. Oh how we have learned to trust Him and lean on HIS word for knowledge and understanding of all that is going on around us.

Psalm 34:3

2008-07-24T21:52:00.004-04:00

Due to the lack of Internet access last night, we were unable to update. But tonight, we were blessed with high-speed access, so that we may reflect on yesterday's journey, and share it with you.

Destination:

Bennington, Vermont

We were greeted with the rain early in the day, and it certainly was a downpour; however, that did not stop us from continuing on towards Vermont to complete our mission! We made great time, and arrived at the center of the town of Bennington, where the rain had apparently followed us. We took Psalm 31:24, "Be strong, all of you who put your hope in the LORD. Never give up." (NIRV) to heart, and divided accordingly so that we could pray in the directions of North, South, East, and West.

God certainly worked a grand plan that day. A recently-moved-in couple, searching for a church to become a part of, crossed paths with the West group, who had just finished coming out of a prayer for a local church. When the group returned to the church to present the infamous "tent pegs," they found the couple speaking to the church leaders on membership!

The South team had the pleasure of sharing prayers with the basic town facilities: police departments, town halls, etc. Also, they had the opportunity to pray for the Army National Guard stationed in Bennington. From there, there was a sense of great need of revival in the town, and the rest of the time was spent praying for local businesses, townspeople, and of a great revival taking place in the town, and bringing more to know Christ.

For the North team, there was much prayer involved. Prayers for a war veterans' memorial, a local elementary school, for revival throughout the area, a synagogue, and even a Vermonter who the team was allowed to share the gospel with. After praying that God would send the water of life to the people, and that they may "drink deep from the Fountain of Life," the rain began to fall faster, and in larger amounts. They met up with the East team in a local shop, where they found someone they had been searching for: the sister of a friend they had shared a meal with in Virginia. We were overjoyed to discover that she had, in fact, placed her faith in Jesus Christ, and declared him as LORD and Savior. How wonderful God is for giving us this opportunity to meet two sisters- in different places- and pray for each of them.

After our prayerwalk, we worshipped at the Capstone Baptist Church, where the team had originally prayed for almost three years ago. This was a grand example of how God's plans are always perfect, as we discovered that evening a couple had joined the church to help in children's ministries. Even more amazing, they had moved to Vermont three years ago. How glorious it was to see a prayer be answered, even if it took nearly three years to find a result!

Bidding the Capstone congregation farewell, we later became trapped in McDonald's by the pouring rain outside. However, we took this as a prime opportunity to share our mission with those who were inside with us, and we found a local dairy farmer, Jay Andrew and his wife, Terri. They asked us to pray for the agricultural industry of the area, which we were overjoyed to do. After their departure, we shared stories of the day until the rain decided to slow up a bit, or at least enough for us to make it out safely.

God's true power and influence was made incredibly obvious that day. Especially to me, who had seen the number 343 quite a few times that day. Before I went to bed that night, I flipped to Psalm 34:3, which read, "Glorify the LORD with me; Let us exalt His name together." As was said that day, there are no such thing as coincidences, but only connections, and after reading that verse, I felt that there was definitely a connection to be made about the prayer journey. Sure, it's about spreading the Good News, and helping others to come to know Jesus Christ, but I felt that through all the prayers we had prayed, we each came back to one theme: Glorifying God. That is what I feel to be the true theme of this mission: bringing honor, praise, and glory back to the LORD God Almighty.

Pray for all those in Authority

2008-07-22T23:43:00.020-04:00

Destination:

Washington, D.C.

First on our tour, we met with North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, and shared our prayers with him. How wonderful it was to hear that he had complete faith in the Lord, even asking Him for the wisdom to see and act on God's vision for our government. It was truly a blessing meeting someone so dedicated to serving God as he was.

Following our prayer with Senator Burr, we prayed over Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain's office. We pray that he be protected and that he might personally see the Lord and all that He has done for him. Also we ask you be praying for Senator McCain, his family, and his campaign as the Election draws near.

On our subway ride to the Capitol Building from Russell Senate Office Building, Senator Burr caught us again. Since he was running late he jumped in the subway car with Mona, Ervie, and Jessica continuing to talk with them until we reached the Capitol.

Upon our arrival at the Capitol Building we were met by an assistant to Senator Burr, Katie, who gave us a grand tour of the history surrounding the building. Coincidentally, it was her last tour as a staff member of the Capitol, as she was leaving for New Mexico to aid her ailing grandfather. We were truly blessed by her knowledge and joy in sharing our nation's history with us. We ask that you join us in praying for her journey, and her grandfather's health, so that she may return someday to Washington, and give more tours of the building she loves so very much.

After the tour, we progressed on to the Hart Senate Office Building where we prayed with Senator Obama's aid Erick. And what a true blessing it was to see that someone so close the Democratic Presidential Nominee shares a common belief that God's presence in Washington will make a tremendous difference in the upcoming elections, and subsequently, in the life of Barack Obama. We ask that you share our prayers that the Lord let righteousness rule in Obama's life and that he and his family be blessed.

Where He Leads I Will Follow

2008-07-22T23:28:00.008-04:00

Destination:
Cary, North Carolina
Richmond, Virginia

The journey began at the Metrolina Baptist in Downtown Charlotte as the group brought their bags and piled into the Midwood Baptist van and the Lowman's Buick. This journey is consumed with prayer, thus we arrive and depart at every location with a shower of our prayers and those who are partnering with us in prayer. For we serve a great God who does more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Our journey progressed to Cary where we visited and prayed over the NC Baptist State Convention building. Upon arrival we prayed in the prayer room for the State Convention as a whole and for what the Lord was doing and is going to do in and through it. Following the overall prayer, we progressed to every floor, praying specifically for each ministry and all that they might be a part of. We had the great opportunity to pray with and be toured by Chris Schofield (right), Director of the Office of Prayer. Along with hearing stories of what God is doing in Vermont and across the country from Mark Abernathy, the Partnership Missions Coordinator with the NC Baptist Men. The unity and support of our State Convention is key part of our mission trip/partnership to Vermont and then on to Canada.

From Cary we drove up to Richmond, Virginia visiting the International Mission Board. Where do we begin... Well first I have to say God did some amazing things this day! We were able to pray and tour every floor in the IMB office. As we prayed for our missionaries, we were able to meet Eloise from the Task videos that the ministry uses to encourage young people to be a part of mission opportunities. We also then toured the video production studio and observed the photography that surrounded the whole building. On our tour we were shown how the IMB divided the United States when it comes to missions and we realized we are covering all of section 1 (minus Maine) and adding Montreal, Canada. Oh how awesome God works though we may not realize it!

Following our tour we then met with Eleanor from the Prayer Division of the IMB to pray over the ministry and all those that were affiliated with it. This prayer time was sweet and spirit filled for Christ was evident through it all. The wonderful encouragement is that we prayed for our fellow believers and those they came in contact with, so that the Lord may strengthen them. In this came the testimony of Eleanor (below) that she sent following our departure.

Overall, it is wonderful to see what the Lord is doing in our lives and those we have met…and it is only the first day! God is Good, All the Time. All the time, God is good!

“I pray also that they eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19a

The Journey Begins...

2008-07-21T22:15:00.018-04:00

The group as we depart from the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte, NC.

Mid-morning the group arrived at the NC Baptist State Convention to pray.

Our journey ends at the IMB where we interceded for those in the mission field and were able to meet numerous brothers and sisters in Christ.

While at the IMB, Eric was able to have a personal encounter with Lottie Moon. It was great to be able to experience a missionary no matter how "short the visit." :-)

Lottie Moon was approximately 4' 3".

But Lottie Moon was not the only prominent person we encountered...For we were privileged to meet and pray with the famous Eloise, who is sponsored by "Grandmother's Against Ganster Rap." (Search for Task videos by IMB entitled Eloise, for more information)

An Encouraging Testimony from the International Mission Board

2008-07-21T22:14:00.003-04:00

As our team departed the International Mission Board headquarters in Richmond, Eleanor in the prayer office there sent us this email:

Your team has just driven off for dinner at Cracker Barrel. It seems such a normal thing to do … and yet, I cannot leave for the day before I email and say again what a blessing your team is. I immediately emailed Ed Cox (Director of Prayer at IMB) to let him know—simply saying, “I am sorry you had to miss their visit, but I am grateful for the privilege of having shared with them.”

We have had others who have come to pray and we have many who come to tour; but I don’t know that we’ve ever had a group like yours with a passion to bathe our work in prayer.

I appreciate having your team’s BLOG address—I’ve already checked it out and will continue to pray for your team as you travel.

May our God, who knows each mile you travel, grant you grace as you encounter hardship, kindness when you deal with those in need, and joy as you sing and pray together. May your prayers and music touch the hearts of others as they have mine.

Partnering together in the greatest task,
Eleanor Witcher
IMB

The Perfect Prayer Model

2008-06-27T13:22:00.000-04:00

As we go on this journey, we must keep in mind the heart felt prayers of our Lord; for He is the model of perfection in all that we do. In the following passage, Jesus is praying in the Garden to His father. As he prayed, his eyes were open as he looked to his Father for comfort, guidance, and reassurance.

John 17

Jesus Prays for Himself

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

The Journey's Members

2008-06-27T13:13:00.000-04:00

Please keep these Missionaries in your prayers as they go:

Alex Baldwin

Cheryl Baldwin

Garry Baldwin

Georgia Baldwin

Jeff Baldwin

Eric Brown

Mona Hearne

Bob Lowman

Jessica Lowman

Karla Lowman

Rachel Lowman

Ervie Pridgen

The Theme of the Prayer Journey

2008-06-27T13:08:00.000-04:00

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

Romans 1:8-12 (NIV)