First 10 Years

The First Ten Years!

Pray Lubbock is celebrating 10 years of creating an atmosphere for revival in our city.  It is amazing to look back and see what God has done over the first ten years!  On this page, we will chronicle several milestones of this prayer ministry.  Here is an index of articles included on this page:

Milestone #1 - The intention to pray and work together is declared - 1998

Milestone #2 - The pastors call their members to be lighthouses of prayer - 1999

Milestone #3 - Pastors Prayer meetings begin in the "Prayer Tower" - 1999

Milestone #4 - Ed Silvoso Visits Lubbock - 2000

Milestone #5 - The Lighthouse Flash encourages Lighthouses of Prayer - 2001

Milestone #6 - Pray Lubbock responds to 9/11 with a city-wide prayer meeting in the Coliseum - 2001

Milestone #7 - The Radio Ministry "Pray, Lubbock!" is launched - 2002

Milestone #8 - 42 Lubbock pastors attend a Promise Keepers Clergy conference together - 2003

Milestone #9 - Pray Lubbock's first partnership with Mayor and County Judge in calling the community to pray for rain - 2004

Milestone #1 - The intention to pray and work together is declared.

November 29, 1998 - A Full-Page Ad in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal...

(Current commentary - This full page ad in the A-J was the product of the pastors who had been praying together, attending prayer summits together, and sensing that God was up to a new thing in Lubbock.  This was the first time this pastoral prayer movement was called "Pray Lubbock.")

This movement's first public appearance was a full-page advertisement in the Avalanche-Journal on November 29, 1998.  Thirty signatures from senior pastors and churches of Lubbock surrounded a declaration.  It continues to be the heartbeat of everything associated with Pray Lubbock.  It reads:

"With this statement, we, who represent various Christian fellowships in our city, publicly confess that we have failed to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ toward one another in ways in which our community has been able to see.  We purpose to turn from the practices and attitudes that have brought this failure about and commit ourselves to pray and to work together to create an atmosphere for revival in our city.  It is our deep desire that each one in our community might know, by our love, that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the solution to all of our needs.  We invite our community to watch for the proofs of what we say as we show all of Lubbock ... how we love one another."

Who dared to sign it?

Larry Brooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Baptist Church

Rick Burkhalter . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Matthew United Methodist

Steven Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agape United Methodist

Charles Carman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Raintree Christian Church

Bracken Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Church on the Go

Bill Couch . . . . . . . . . . . .LakeRidge United Methodist Church

Paul Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Westminster Presbyterian

John Donnerberg . . . . . . . . . . . . .First Church of the Nazarene

Mark and Deborah Elvers . . . . . . . . . . . . .Salvation Ministries

Jim Gerlt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indiana Avenue Baptist Church

Douglas Hale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vandelia Church of Christ

Ricky Honea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . College Heights Baptist Church

Andy Hurst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Tech Wesley Foundation

Gary D. Kirksey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trinity Church

Tom Lakey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .First Assembly of God

D. L. Lowrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Baptist Church

Eddie Marcum . . . . . . . . . . .First United Methodist, Wolfforth

Dick McCreight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Life Family Center

Tom Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Ed Peckham . . . . . . . . . . . Lubbock Canyon United Methodist

Rodney Plunket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Broadway Church of Christ

Thomas and Linda Sawyer .Grace Christian Fellowship Center

Mike Schafer . . . . . . . . . .Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Gary Scoggins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cathedral of Praise

Chris Sutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Calvary Baptist Church

Mel Swoyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shepherd King Lutheran Church

Bob Veach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christ Fellowship

Jackie White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Church on the Rock

Chuck Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live Oak Community Church

David L. Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Southcrest Baptist Church

 

Using these men and women, God launched this ministry to increase and intensify prayer for our city and to unify the family of God so that others would be drawn into a living relationship with His Son, Jesus.  (Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #2 - The pastors act on their good intentions.

March 5, 1999 - Alice Patterson, then Director of Pray Texas, Gave an Account of Pray Lubbock's Lighthouse Launch...

(Current commentary - the first cooperative effort of these pastor was to launch the lighthouse of prayer movement in Lubbock - an initiative to enlist praying Christians to constantly pray and care for the neighbors on their block.  During February of 1998, 17 pastors were preaching about the same thing - how their congregation can have an impact on the city by committing to pray for their neighbors! This was a visible demonstration of the new commitment to pray and work together.  The commitment to pray was tremendous, but the gathering of these many churches together to commission the lighthouses was unprecedented as Alice Patterson gave the following observer's account.)

"The Lord is moving in powerful ways across the state as pastors intentionally cross denominational and racial barriers to reach their communities for Christ. Lubbock is a shining example.

On March 5 over 1,000 people from at least 23 congregations gathered for worship and prayer and to commission 1,060 Lighthouses of Prayer to pray for their neighbors with two objectives: to make Jesus famous in Lubbock and to make it hard to go to hell from their city. My husband, John, and I sat at the back of the comfortably full auditorium of Broadway Church of Christ that evening and joined the church of Lubbock in praise to God and prayer for the city. Several things stand out in my mind.


First was the awesome worship. Chill bumps tingle up and down my spine as I think about the melodious sound of voices lifted in acapella harmony, singing "Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love. May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah, Thine the glory. Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Thine the glory, revive us again." The Lord's prayer in John 17: 21 "that they may all be one even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me" was being answered before our very eyes. We experienced "the blessing" that He promises to command when brethren dwell together in unity (Psalm 133: 3).


Second was the obvious love and deference shown by the pastors. There were no introductions. The pastors did not even mention the names of their congregations! Many had a part on the platform, but everything was focused on the Lord and reaching the lost.


Third was the obvious participation of different ethnic congregations. It was a mostly Anglo crowd, but there were key Hispanic and Black pastors who were there with their congregations. It was a beginning... a powerful beginning.

Lubbock is a beautiful example of the body of Christ intentionally joining together to reach a city. When I was watching, I kept thinking of the word "pure". And not only has the Lord given the pastors of Lubbock clear direction in their own city, but I heard them offering to share with other pastors in the region. That was very exciting for me. There are two places on the web that you can check out what is happening in Lubbock. The first is their web site, which is under construction at www.PrayLubbock.com. The second is a two step process of connecting at www.church-life.com then clicking on ministries under Pray Lubbock. You will be blessed."  (Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #3 - Prayer meetings begin in the "Prayer Tower"

 

Wednesday, May 19, 1999 - The First Pastors Prayer Meeting convenes in the Metro "Prayer" Tower

(Current Commentary - Monthly prayer meetings have always been a staple of the pastors who have assembled themselves around the name "Pray Lubbock."  This was a commitment to pray together was made at one of the first pastors prayer summits.  These prayer meetings occurred in churches across the city hosted by willing pastors until May 19, 1999, when the pastors had their first experience praying at the "Prayer Tower."   Here is an excerpt Steve Doles' Doctoral Ministry Focus Paper explaining the Lord's leading to this place...)

In 1998, a cell group my family was involved in was studying Terry Teykl's book Acts 29: Blueprint for Prayer.  On one of the evenings, we were discussing unique ways to pray for a city.  The suggestion was made in the book that in order to get a unique perspective on your city, we should consider finding an overlook point - perhaps a hill or mountain peak that gives us a bird-eye view - a high place from which to pray.  Everyone in the cell group laughed at this suggestion knowing Lubbock's plains - except for one person.  She worked in the Metro Tower - the tallest building in Lubbock and said, "The Metro Tower is the high place in Lubbock.  There is a really good view of the city up there." 

A few weeks later, after confirmations in prayer, I made an appointment with the manager and toured the building.  I discovered that there were several office suites available for rent - in fact, the office right next to the conference room was available. As a tenant, we would have use of the conference room on the 19th floor at no charge.  After a weekend of prayer, I called the Metro Tower manager and asked him to draw up the lease and call me when it was ready to sign.

At the next Saturday prayer meeting, we shared with the city-focused intercessors the plans to rent the office space in the Metro Tower.  We mentioned the monthly rent and before that prayer meeting was over, many of the intercessors pledged at least $10 per month for the next year, immediately creating funds for rent.  We also learned more about the Metro Tower from these intercessors.  The building was originally called the "Great Plains Life Building" with that knowledge, intercessors began praying that this building would become known for the eternal life that springs forth from the prayers offered in that place.

The excitement about this building grew in that meeting.  Another intercessor shared a dream that she had had years ago.  She remembered riding an elevator to the top floor of a tall building downtown and eating at the restaurant there with her husband.  In the dream the Lord spoke to her very clearly that she was to take off her shoes because the place where she was sitting was holy.  This dream caused another wave of prayers that the Lord would do in our day what He has intended and foretold from days past.

This building, built in the 50's, struck by a tornado in 1970 which heavily damaged it resulting in being condemned for ten years.  Visitors can still stand outside the southwest corner of the building, and "eyeball" the twisted structure as you look up the 20 floors!  But, in the 80's the building was reinforced, repaired and reopened for rental as office space.  This gave even more fuel to the intercessors' prayer that the building, although nearly destroyed by the tornado has been preserved for this Kingdom assignment!

After this confirmation from the intercessors, and before I was part of the Pray Lubbock leadership, I met with representatives of the Pray Lubbock leaders and proposed establishing this prayer center.  My vision meshed with theirs.  I asked for permission to call my office and website "Pray Lubbock."  I invited all of the Pray Lubbock leaders to hold their next meeting in the 19th floor conference in April 1999 for the first time and from that point on, Pray Lubbock has enveloped pastors of the city, intercessors of the city, citywide prayer initiatives with the Metro Tower as home.

At the conclusion of the April 1999 pastors prayer meeting, the host pastor asked the typical question, "Who would like to host the prayer meeting in May?"  I offered the Pray Lubbock conference room.  We met at the Metro Tower for the first time on May 19, 1999 and at the end of the meeting it was clear that we should meet there regularly.  The pastors were drawn to this unique vantage point for prayer.  (Return to index of 10 years)

 

Milestone # 4 Ed Silvoso's visit to Lubbock

 

Ed Silvoso Coming to Lubbock!

May 9-10, 2000

It is difficult to overestimate Ed Silvoso's visit.  He is father of the worldwide lighthouse of prayer movement; a leader in the Argentine revival; author of That None Should Perish; founder of Harvest Evangelism.  He is one of a handful of world-class Christian leaders who has had tremendous impact on the prayer passion of Pray Lubbock.  We used his time wisely:

Lighthouse of Prayer Reunion Rally

In the same place where we launched over 1,000 lighthouses in March of 1999, we will gather for a reunion on Tuesday night, May 9th, 7:00 p.m. at Broadway Church of Christ, 1924 Broadway. We invite those who are already serving as lighthouses (nearly 1,250 now, in and around our city) and those who have a heart for praying for their neighbors.  We'll celebrate the harvest of Festival 2000 and be encouraged by Ed Silvoso to continue praying our neighborhoods into the Kingdom.  An offering will be received.

Your Prayer Leaders Meet With Silvoso!

Who wouldn't want that?  No one can cast a vision and set fire under intercessors like Ed Silvoso!  This meeting could make your congregations' prayer groups dangerous!  At this meeting, Ed will share a vision for united, city-focused prayer.  We will also share the details of the system we are developing, via our website, to make city-focused intercession issues available to your church prayer leaders.   This meeting is by invitation, so please help us get your prayer leaders on the list!

Pastors Breakfast with Ed Silvoso

Every pastor should have a chance to visit with Ed Silvoso while he's here. How about on Wednesday, May 10, at the Golden Corral?  Pastors are invited to gather at 9:00 if you would like to purchase your breakfast buffet.  Or you may join us at 9:30 when Ed will begin speaking.  Either way you'll be able to catch the vision of the pastors' role in kindling passion for prayer and a heart for the lost.  Our morning will include teaching from our guest, question and answer time and prayers of impartation.  It takes a city church to reach a city, so bring a pastor of an ethnic background different from yours.  We will conclude by 11:30 a.m.

Ministry Team Day of Prayer

The Pray Lubbock Ministry Team spent Thursday, May 11, in prayer at the chapel in Ransom Canyon.  We felt that God had revealed new frontiers to us in our visit with Ed Silvoso.  We made these a matter of prayer the next day.  Here are some of the outstanding issues we feel are next as we continue on a course for the complete transformation of our city:

  •          We want to display attitudes and actions which will promote love and inclusion across racial lines within the church of this city; we are under no delusion that Pray Lubbock has achieved ethnicity proportional to our great city.

  •          A particular insight of Ed's -- "the lack of love for the lost is the backbone of the religious spirit..." -- has gripped us; we want to break this backbone by seeing our congregations filled with love for the lost.

  •           The army of the Lord has not yet been fully assembled, and won't be until many other congregations and even whole denominations that are not aligned with others in the city are enlisted.  (We are very conscious of the proper tension between cohesiveness and inclusiveness.)

  •        Perhaps the most important declaration in prayer made that day: (to summarize) "We are willing to serve Lubbock until, and even after, it experiences complete transformation, regardless of the cost.  We are willing to, and counting the cost of, placing our own churches in our left hand and placing the Church of Lubbock (Kingdom of God) in our right hand.  We will not be bought out by Satan, either by discouragement and suffering, or by being satisfied with anything less than complete transformation of the city and sustained impact in our mission around the world."  (Return to index of 10 years)

 

Milestone #5 - A newsletter is created to communicate with lighthouses of prayer

 

 

The Lighthouse Flash is Launched -

March 2001

The Lighthouse Flash was designed to communicate with our lighthouses of prayer.  Ten issues were mailed to our 1200+  lighthouses in 2001 to 2003.  It contained articles like this:

 

 

What Do As a "Lighthouse" What do I Do?

Pray for your neighbors as the Lord prompts you.  Pray for God to give you His heart of compassion for them.  Try to pray at least weekly for your target group.  Pray prayers of peace and blessing.  You may want to tell neighbors that you are praying for them, and then ask if there is anything specific you can pray about.

 

Prayerwalking is an effective tool in praying.  Observing your neighborhood educates you on how to better pray.  Are there scattered toys in the yard?  Pray for the children.  Is there a flat tire on a car?  Pray for provision.  Are teenagers going in and out of a home?  Pray for a hedge of protection for the teens and wisdom for the parents.  Is there a new sprinkler system going into a yard?  Pray that the neighbor would thirst for the Holy Spirit.

 

In doing this we will:

  • Lay a prayer covering across the city.

  • Ask God to change the spiritual climate of the city.

  • Pray blessings and prepare the soil for the Lord to begin to draw our friends to Himself.

  • Learn names, family situations and prayer needs to help be more specific in prayer and more involved in lives.

  • Seize Divine appointments to interact in spiritual matters.

  • Bring healing through prayer to relationships or physical needs.

  • Share the Hope that is in us!

(Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #6 - Pray Lubbock responds to 9/11

(The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 prompted Pray Lubbock to hold a prayer meeting at the Coliseum on Tech's campus on September 13.  Pastors led prayers as we all were stunned in to praying for the protection of our nation and the families directly affected by the attack.  Attendees made a banner of encouragement which was sent to New York and the Pentagon.  We received a response to the banner.)

NYC Responds to Lubbock's 911 Prayers

Do you remember those banners we made less than a month ago? They said, "Lubbock, TX is praying for you!" They were signed by hundreds of the over 1,000 participants at last month's 911 prayer gathering 13 September.  Christians across Lubbock gathered to pray that night at the Coliseum. 

WELL, a Letter to the Editor appeared Tuesday, 2 October, in the A-J with the following note:

"Every day, I pass through Penn Station in midtown Manhattan on my way to work next door to the Empire State Building. I am writing to tell the people of Lubbock that your banner "From the people of Lubbock, to the people of New York" hangs prominently in Penn Station, and I see hundreds of people stop their hurried steps to read the many messages. Although I am a commuter into New York, I have worked at the World Trade Center, visited it often, and loved its place in our skyline.   I am touched and grateful for your thoughtful and encouraging messages.  Although there is a gaping hole in the skyline, your good wishes are filling the hearts of many New Yorkers." Thank you!        CHRISTINE MADAN, Colonia, NJ

We praise God for the small part we could play in helping Him bring healing to our brothers and sisters in New York.  (Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #7 - The radio ministry "Pray, Lubbock!" begins

(For nearly four years 2002-2005, Steve Doles hosted a daily radio prayer ministry called "Pray, Lubbock!"  Here is the original article announcing that prayer initiative and an inside look at this unique prayer meeting as written by David Shelburne, where he witnessed one of the daily intercessors who prayed for Steve during each broadcast.)

"Pray, Lubbock!" - Another Opportunity for United Prayer

The Lord has created another avenue in this city for fervent united prayer!  The management of radio station KAMY, 90.1 FM, has invited Steve to lead prayer for our city and individuals each weekday morning as part of their regular programming.  This twenty-minute segment will air live at 10:07 AM Monday through Friday.

"Pray, Lubbock!" will encourage listeners to pray daily for city-focused issues and needs.  There will also be an opportunity for listeners to call with prayer requests to be prayed for during the broadcast.

It is hoped that "Pray, Lubbock!" will accomplish several objectives:

  • Facilitate unified prayer on behalf of our city

  • Create opportunities for personal prayer requests to become miracles that glorify the Lord

  • Educate listeners in practicing strategic prayer for our city

  • Create an atmosphere for revival in our city

  • Remind Lubbock to pray

Over the course of each week, prayers will cover educational systems, businesses and economic institutions, Christian congregations and ministries, individuals and families, and governments and civic entities. Each month, prayers will target spiritual freedom, revival of God's people, salvation for the lost, prophetic intercession and God's presence in Lubbock sought through worship, praise and testimony.  Encourage your congregation to tune in and pray.

David Shelburne's Point of View...

I am enclosed in a radio broadcasting booth.  To my front is Steve at the microphone, surrounded by banks of equipment sprouting dials and slide-switches faintly reminiscent of the cockpit of a 747.  Across the desk, a seasoned intercessor (prayer-dragon, for the uninitiated) presses a tissue to tear-stained eyes with shaking hand-Parkinson's or passion, I cannot tell.  From her flows prayer intense enough to be felt.  Steve is empowered, in the zone, leading the city in prayer over the airwaves, interceding with hands and heart as well as words.  I try to write, but his voice intrudes into my consciousness, sweeping me pell-mell into the flood of welling prayer.

For half an hour, five times a week, Steve broadcasts prayer over the air.  Each day he addresses a specific theme of God's purpose applied to a specific aspect of the city's life and structure.  He goes on to pray the headlines, and concludes by interceding for personal requests that have been phoned in on the radio station's request line.

Half hour, full power-another channel by which Kingdom life and healing flow back into our town.  Steve is grooming me to be able to broadcast when he is away, so between bouts of being lost in prayer I try to observe the mechanics of the operation.

Before she leaves, our warrior of prayer takes my hand, looks me in the eye and speaks special words full of promise.  Frail of body, mighty in spirit, she leaves me trembling in her wake.  (Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #8 - 42 pastors attend Promise Keepers together

(In 2003, businessmen in Lubbock made an incredible gift available to the pastors of the city.)

Remarkable Response!

Pastors Will Attend the Promise Keepers

Pastors Conference Together

     Some business owners and other individuals have covenanted together to remove the financial burden for senior pastors from Lubbock to attend the Promise Keepers Pastors and Leadership Conference, February 18-20, 2003 at the Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona.  Why have they undertaken this incredible act of faith?

     These leaders want to see revival in Lubbock - every congregation on fire for the Lord, multiple new salvations weekly or daily, repentant hearts coming together in prayer, a city that is characterized by righteousness where God can dwell among His people and lead us to act at the impulse of His love. 

     Their offer is simple - senior pastors in Lubbock can travel via plane; have motel accommodations and a conference wristband at the expense of our faithful donors. (A $500+ value!) They believe that arranging for senior pastors to travel, lodge and attend together will bring great benefit to our city.

     We are currently aware of 49 who are attending this conference from Lubbock with several more still considering schedules.  Other activities surrounding this event are being planned such as a corporate prayer meeting in Lubbock for the pastors while they are away, a Lubbock pastors prayer meeting in Phoenix on Wednesday night at 9:00 PM, live radio reports from the conference via KAMY 90.1 FM, laymen traveling to the event to pray for our pastors and volunteer at the conference.  The offer won't last forever…

Phoenix Trip Births Multiple Blessings

     As if the conference wasn't impressive enough with speakers like Tony Evans, Jack Hayford and Coach Bill McCartney, there was a unanimous agreement that the impact of the Promise Keepers Pastors conference was eclipsed by that of the 60 hours that 46 pastors from Lubbock spent together.  Friendships were deepened, many new acquaintances were made, and a new sense of our unity in the body of Christ was discovered.  For example:

  • Allowing two pastors who have each served in Lubbock for over 15 years in the same denomination to get really acquainted for the first time

  • A pastor currently planting a congregation meeting a pastor who planted a congregation in the same building 15 years ago

  • Two pastors discovering for the first time that they are related by the marriage of a daughter who lives in Phoenix

  • An Assembly of God pastor strategizing with a Church of God in Christ pastor discussing ways for their congregations to worship together

  • Within two weeks after the trip, seeing an East Lubbock congregation joining a west Lubbock congregation during the Sunday morning worship time (The two pastors hadn't met before the trip.)

  • Forming six pastors small groups while we waited for departure at Sky Harbor Airport, consulting palm pilots and setting time and day for weekly small group meetings.

  • Even after an 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM session on Wednesday, reassembling for prayer at 8:00 PM and having to be persuaded to leave at 10:00 P.M.

  • Providing testimony time on the tour-bus microphone that indicated relationships and commitments to one another had gone way beyond the degree they were before the trip.

(Return to index of 10 years)

Milestone #9 - First City-Wide Prayer brings remarkable results

(2004 brought a call to prayer involving political leaders.)

The Day and Season of Prayer and Fasting For Rain on the South Plains

     Last month, on Sunday Jan. 25th, 2004, Pray Lubbock, Mayor Marc McDougal, Lubbock's city council, and County Judge Tom Head combined to urge the residents of Lubbock, Lubbock County and the surrounding areas to fast and pray for rain on the South Plains.   We have suggested prayer for measurable results such as:

  • Rainfall in the right amounts and the right times

  • Lake Meredith "topped off" this year

  • The Canadian River watershed to receive rain

  • Restore the underground water table

  • South Plains soil will be hydrated by March

  • Agri-businesses trusting in God's provision in peace

  • Farm families to experience divine provision

     Congregations are encouraged to continue to pray for this major need in our region.  We have publicly declared our dependency upon God for His provision.  We need to pray this through and then give Him public praise at the end of this year for His answers to our prayer.  It is not just about a day of prayer; it is a season of persistent intercession.

God Rains over Our Community

As of Nov. 11, 2004, according to the National Weather Service:

  • We have received 27.36 inches of rain so far this year.

  • We are 9.81 inches above our year-to-date normal rainfall!

  • This is 8.80 inches more than we received during the entire year of 2003!

  • The last year on record to have this much moisture in 12 months is 1969.

  • Only seven years have been wetter since 1911.

(In fact, by the end of the year, 2004 was the second wettest year on record, after 2003 being the second driest year, producing a record-breaking cotton crop!)

 

 
 
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