By Sarah Bowman
Christian Action League
RIDGECREST – The Christian Action League hosted a Prayer Rally Sunday, March 18, at the Ridgecrest Lifeway Conference Center, where believers gathered for several hours specifically dedicated to praying for the NC Marriage Protection Amendment. Ministry leaders from across the state shepherded the group in petitioning God for specifics related to the upcoming referendum, while providing attendees with information about why the amendment is necessary, an overview of the campaign, and the need for a national revival in marriage and family life.
Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, gave the welcome and pointed out the focus of the event.
“It is easy for us to think that money is the greatest need for Christian service…. Nevertheless money has never been the strength of any movement of God and it never will be,” he said. “Our strength is in the Spirit of the Lord Himself.”
Dr. Bill Campbell, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville, told the group, “Marriage is a picture – the best picture that this world will ever have of God’s plan for humanity.”
“We need to see the great sanctity of marriage and live it once again,” he added. “May God bring revival and then we can turn the world upside down for the glory of God!”
Other speakers included Kevin Daniels, director of the North Carolina chapter of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, who pointed out the importance of Christians’ taking a firm Biblical stance.
“There should not be any question or any doubt on where the body of Christ should stand. There should be no reason why I should have to convince a Christian what the Bible says about marriage,“ Daniels said.
Allison Cain, speaker and author of The Whisper of God, and other personal devotion books for women, led the group in a prayer of confession.
“We should look at each opportunity that we face as individuals, as a community, as a church, as a state, as an opportunity to get out there and show the love of God and make a difference with God’s Word as our foundation,” proclaimed Cain.
Dr. Mark Harris, senior pastor of First Baptist of Charlotte and president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, told those at the conference that it is time for the church to be awakened.
“Please, join me in challenging pastors, in challenging Christian leaders, your friends, your Sunday school teacher, your neighbors, and your neighborhood to recognize the emergency. Understand that we need to rely on God’s hand and His power. And, understand that we’ve got to be relentless in our efforts over the next seven and a half weeks,” he said. “To God be the glory, great things He has done, because He will bring the victory.”
While the leaders’ comments helped prepare the hearts of those in attendance for prayer, the most meaningful time of the event actually came during the small-group prayer sessions. The Holy Spirit filled the room as Christians prayed fervently for the success of the Amendment, for a national revival of marriage and family, for the protection of all involved in the campaign, and for God to be glorified in all the efforts by those in support of the Amendment.
“The Prayer Rally was a true success,” said the Rev. Creech. “Fervent prayers were offered and all present left more educated about the Amendment and the issues connected to it, as well as more connected to their brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The Christian Action League is working with churches throughout North Carolina to plan as many similar events as possible between now and May 8.
For more information or to plan an event in your community, contact the CAL office at (919) 787-0606 or Sarah Bowman via email at sarah@christianactionleague.org