The Kansas-Nebraska Prayer Conference convened May 1 and 2 at Wichita South Church in Kansas, bringing together pastors and church members around a central theme: developing a prayer life that leads to a living relationship with Jesus and active mission.
Keynote speaker Jim Moon explored how a consistent prayer life translates into a powerful witness in everyday settings, including the workplace. Smerdis Fuentes, associate pastor at Piedmont Park Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, shared personal stories of God’s leading in his life and ministry. Jean-Marcel Clouzet, pastor of Wichita South, offered practical, down-to-earth approaches to engaging in daily prayer. I had the privilege of teaching on what it means to fall in love with Jesus and how that love compels believers into outreach and effective ministry.
Hosting regional prayer conferences is now the strategy of Kansas-Nebraska Conference prayer ministries, designed to advance the mission of prayer across the conference and encourage members toward a living, loving relationship with Jesus that launches them into mission.
We know that prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, and in that storehouse we find the greatest treasure of all: Jesus. Prayer, then, is central to our religious experience. In prayer, you come to know the goodness and power of God. You experience His grace, kindness, and forgiveness. You come to know His comfort and protection firsthand. You will have stories to tell, praise to give, and in the contemplation of Jesus, tears will come to your eyes.
The greatest need of the Adventist Church is Jesus. When a person comes to love Jesus, everything changes. As Ellen White writes, “Those who feel the constraining love of God do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard” (Steps to Christ, 44). They seek to be all they can be for Jesus, and they find God’s indwelling Spirit brings love, heart change, power to resist temptation, and a burning desire to share Jesus with others.
Prayer ministries is about Jesus. It is about inviting people everywhere to fall in love with Him.
Presentations from the conference are available at: tiny.cc/v633101
Virgil Covel is ministerial director and prayer ministries leader for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
