Roxanne and Greg McGhee held the 3rd Annual Prayer Walk at Southwest School parking lot.
"It's back to school time and we begin a new school year with many concerns, apprehensions, and hopes," stated Roxanne. "What better way to begin this school year than to begin in prayer?"
Her husband, Greg, serves as the youth minister at First Baptist Church in Dexter; however the Prayer Walk is open to anyone and is completely independent of any one church.
“Lord, we pray that you will grant our educators wisdom as they deal with an ever-changing society. Help them to remember that every effort is an opportunity to change a life, to inspire, to energize, to bring out that special gift you You have blessed to each and every one of us.”
Several were on hand to help pass out a typed prayer guide prior to walk.
Below is a copy of the hand-out that fits all types of education.
Students (Southwest and Central): Desire to honor God above all else, Sweet attitude toward others, Submissive spirit toward authority, Choosing to follow God rather than follow others, Best effort for God's glory, Self-control, Discerning heart for truth (versus non-truth), Godly friend choices, Begin a good influence on their friends, Protection and safety (including physical and spiritual).
Students (Middle School and High School): Desire to honor God and walk consistent with their faith, An awareness of being an ambassador of Christ, Developing Godly friendships and relationships, Wisdom, Resist temptation and a desire for purity (both in thoughts, online and sexually), Respond well to pressure and hardships (academics, relationships, tests), Transitions from building to building, changing schools, changing districts, Safety at school, during athletics, while driving.
Teachers: Wisdom in preparation (content, time management), Graciousness toward students (poor attitudes, disobedient, disrespectful, when sinned against), Patience with struggles (with getting the content, with life in general), Handle stress in a Godly manner as it builds up throughout the year, Purity with other teachers (friendships, attitude), Choosing to be a mentor to the children who are paying attention, Kindness, tenderheartedness, and love, Ambassadors of Christ wherever they are.
Support Staff (cooks, cafeteria, transportation, office, paraprofessionals, counselors, maintenance, custodial, safety officers): Awareness of the necessity and importance of their positions - often the first person with whom students, staff and the public interact, Servant spirit, God-honoring relationship with students, Patience with all types of constituents, Godly communication with each other and other constituents, God-honoring conflict resolution, God-honoring attitude under pressure, Safety.
Administrators: Respond Godly to authority (the board of education other administrators, head masters, legislature, Department of Education), Lead by Godly example, Exhibit servant leadership, Engage others with general grace, Empathy with parents, Respond to the pressure from various constituents, Wisdom related to curriculum (common core debate, state standards, etc.).
Volunteers (in the classroom, outside the classroom, in the offices, with coaching, PTA, PTO, and more): Servant and selfless spirit, awareness of ministry opportunities as they present themselves (maybe as simply as a smile or a word of kindness), Sweetness of spirit toward others, Gospel and Christ-centered intention, Resistance to entertaining gossip, Deaf ear to politics.
Dexter, Missouri - The 3rd Annual Prayer Walk will be Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m. beginning at Southwest Elementary School in Dexter.
Two years ago Roxanne McGhee felt there was a need to pray for Dexter Public Schools, students, teachers, and administrators.
Her husband, Greg, serves as the youth minister at First Baptist Church in Dexter; however the Prayer Walk is open to anyone and is completely independent of any one church.
"It’s about community and our faith in God," commented McGee.
It is a wonderful opportunity to pray for our students, teachers, school bus drivers, parents, school employees, athletes, board members, and administration before school begins on Thursday.
You may pray at your own pace and go to each school and the football field. Feel free to bring chairs and sit if you are not able to stand or walk for a long period of time.
You can walk, or just stand and pray. Groups may form or you may stand by yourself or even with family. The point being, YOU are invited to come.
This is a wonderful way to start off the new school year! It doesn’t matter what church you attend or even if you attend a church,
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PRAYER WALK FOR DEXTER SCHOOLS!
Dexter, Missouri - Operation Missouri Medical is a joint military exercise of Army and Navy medical providers and technicians.
Task Force Heal has landed upon Dexter and will provide FREE medical, dental, and optometry services from until July 23rd with the exception of Sunday, July 19th.
Mostly made up of Army and Navy Reservists along with active duty men and women they are happy to offer these FREE services. During their time here they will be located at the Lighthouse Church in Dexter from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
They will also be at the Malden High School on Burkhart St. during the same times.
These wonderful military personnel will be practicing their skills and get face time with the community. It’s a great opportunity for them and gives the community a FREE service.
Eye exams are 100% free and you get fitted for glasses along with a prescription and then two days later can pick-up those glasses. No one is ever turned away.
They are providing medical screenings and prescription refills; so bring in your old bottle of medications that would be extremely helpful.
Dental services are also available with three dental chairs providing teeth extractions, cleanings, etc.
Concessions are from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
For more information please call the Lighthouse Church at (573) 624-2500.
Sikeston, Missouri - On September 1, 2015, Mr. Brad Aycock will join the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church full-time as Director of New Church Development.
"I will deeply miss my family and friends here in Missouri. Only God could pull me away. I'm very honored and excited to be joining one of the leading states for strategic and innovative church growth in the country. West Ohio is the "point of the arrow" in this renewed movement that is beginning," stated Aycock.
"I have a passion to help change peoples' perception of Jesus by changing peoples' perception of the church - the hope of the world. I would like to thank God for this opportunity to be on a broader platform to help influence today's Church. I would also like to thank the many people who have helped to make me who I am," continued Aycock. "I wouldn't have this opportunity if it weren't for the many who have invested in the vision and selflessly made me look way better than I am."
Brad currently serves as Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Sikeston, Missouri, where he has played a key role in revitalizing that declining church into an active part of the community with a missionary focus on reaching people for Christ. As Director of New Church Development for the Conference, he will work with the bishop and cabinet to strategically identify new mission fields in West Ohio and partner with existing churches in developing satellite worshiping communities. Brad will also guide new United Methodist worshiping communities to move toward becoming chartered, outwardly-focused, financially sound and fruitful centers of worship.
"Brad comes to us after a extensive national search and a multi-layered interview process that included new church start pastors, conference leaders, the bishop and cabinet," stated Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. "He is a gifted, skilled cutting-edge leader in creating new places for new people. I am overjoyed that at last the people of the West Ohio Conference will have someone working full-time on new congregational development. We have been fortunate that Rev. Marcus Atha has been willing to do some of this work as a labor of love while serving full-time as a district superintendent.”
Brad received his Bachelor's degree at Southeast Missouri State University and his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to First UMC Sikeston in 2010, he served in key leadership roles as laity and staff at two Missouri Churches. He also has managed a successful consulting business since 1994. For the last three years, Brad has served as an annual guest trainer and prescription coach for West Ohio's Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), led by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Brad and his wife, Ann, along with their two children will be relocating to central Ohio.
BAPTISTS, PENTECOSTALS & NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES JOIN IN HOSTING STODDARD COUNTY PRAYER CONFERENCE
Dexter, Missouri - The First Pentecostal Church of Dexter, Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church and Living Water Worship Center (LWWC) are joining together to host the Stoddard County Prayer Conference.
Pastor Jim Hook of LWWC said, “We are excited to have two other local churches help us host an event that we hope will compel other Christians to pray for those who need Christ in our community.”
He continued, “Ed Kleiman shared his testimony at our celebrate recovery meeting in May and his message of repentance and forgiveness is exactly what all of us need to hear. I invited him back for a Sunday service and the Lord worked things out for two other churches to help us host him for a two day session of teaching and prayer.”
Ed Kleiman, is a Messianic Jew who grew up in St. Louis. Ed is a full time minister, who God saved and redeemed from a life of drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality at the age of 41. Ed grew up "worshipping & serving the god in the mirror" as he refers to it. From the age of sixteen to forty one he offered up daily sacrifices to this god; of drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality. Then God granted him repentance, and eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, on October 23rd, 1994.
Ed’s change is the powerful testimony of what the Lord can do. As Ed would say; “Nothing less than sovereign power and irresistible grace would ever be sufficient for such a hell-deserving one as myself! Why should any soul despair when God saved a wretch like me?” Sweet Prospect Pastor Ray Rowland mentioned, “Ed’s candid and direct speaking style challenged our members to search their hearts and draw closer to God through prayer. His message of God’s grace and what He could do for our community through the prayers of His saints is exactly the kind of message Christians are in need of.”
Ed has shared his testimony on overcoming addictions to numerous church audiences all across America. Bryan Gentry the Stoddard County Celebrate Recover director said, “I can’t wait to hear Ed’s story again. He was brutally honest when telling about his addictions, but he shared the hope each of us has in Christ’s forgiveness when we ask for God’s help and repent of our sins. It was a moving testimony that had an inspiring effect on all who heard it.”
Ed has also ministered to thousands of people here in America and all over the world by leading prayer initiatives and teaching on prayer. Ed believes prayer continues to be a crucial, but often missing element in spiritual revivals. Since 1999 the Lord has been using Ed to preach on the importance of the local church, God's design for the family, and the call for missions, while always emphasizing the power, priority, and purposes of prayer.
To accomplish all these ministry goals Ed founded Small Cloud Ministries with the mission: To glorify God by spreading a zeal for Jesus Christ to all people as the infinite treasure of all of life and His cross as God’s focal point of His glory. More info can be found on Ed and his ministry at www.praybold.org
“Please pray for Ed’s visit to Stoddard County and ask God to move mightily so that Christians will begin to pray for those needing Christ in our community. Seeing three churches from different denominations join together for something like this is encouraging, and I’m thrilled to hear about how the Lord has used Ed’s ministry to rekindle a passion for Jesus Christ in our local churches, as well as many others throughout the United States. We ask you to join us in thanking God for what He will do during this prayer conference,” added First Pentecostal Church Pastor Jeff Wells.Rev. Kleiman will be in in Dexter July 11th & 12th and concluded by saying, “I am looking forward to spending time praying and teaching on the power of prayer with the people in Stoddard County. I trust the Lord will bless our time and renew a passion for Christ that will have a lasting impact on not only Christians in Stoddard County, but on everyone in the community.”
Who: International Missionary Ed Kleiman
What: Stoddard County Prayer Conference
When:
· Saturday Morning 9:00 a.m. Breakfast provided by the Church
· Saturday Evening 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dinner provided by the Church
· Sunday Morning 10:45 a.m. – Ed’s Testimony
· Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m. -- Title: Our Hearts Desire & Prayer!
Where: Living Water Worship Center 18094 Hwy 25 Bloomfield, MO 63841
