The Aurora First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Aurora, Colorado, provided their second drive-thru prayer event of the year for the community last April.
As in other past events, many cars full of people with needs came to be served. This time, however, even people walking down the street came in to be prayed for. “One person came searching for peace of mind, while others came due to the recent loss of family,” commented Jose Alarcón, lead pastor at Aurora First Church. “It is surprising to see the reaction of those who enter our parking lot and the response of passersby who honk, acknowledging the youth holding the cardboard signs.”
The biggest surprise, however, came earlier in April. “After two and a half years of witnessing what we have done with this event, the neighboring church, Village East Baptist Church, conducted their own drive-thru prayer the week before ours. Aurora First Church members were astonished to see the neighboring church imitate what we have been doing,” Alarcón said.
“Our primary responsibility as Christian Seventh-day Adventists is to share what Jesus has done and is doing on our behalf,” he continued. “The fact that a non-Adventist church could replicate what we are doing at Aurora gives me hope that other Adventist churches here in the Rocky Mountain Conference would also replicate.”
Aurora First Church’s treasurer and elder Daniel Camacho noted, “The Holy Spirit is awakening the hearts and minds of church members to fulfill the commission of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20). This ministry is a favorite of the church members because it has significantly impacted the community, while not adding significant pressure on any member. This ministry is a great training ground for church members to gain experience and confidence in working with the Holy Spirit and fellow members to reach the community in various ways. We are already looking forward to our next event.”
Jose R. Alarcón is the lead pastor at the Aurora First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colorado.
