Local
Observances Mark National Day of Prayer on May 2
Hundreds gathered in the capitol rotunda in Topeka
to observe the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer as part of an
all-day prayer effort on Thursday, May 2. Worship and prayer continued through the day
from the Old Supreme Court Room as teams from around the area went non-stop
from 8 am until 5 pm. The only
interruption was to gather at the statewide noon observance in the rotunda
which featured pastors, legislators, Governor Brownback and others.
The citywide evening observance took
place at Central Park Christian Church in Topeka. The theme for the service was “Clean Hands,
Pure Heart,” a reference to Psalm 24.
Members of the Christian community took part in worship, corporate
prayer, and small group prayer, led by pastors and leaders representing various
ethnic groups and traditions. The worship was led by a multi-church,
multicultural team.
Celebration of Unconditional Love Held Sept. 30, 2102
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| Donna Lippoldt, state National Day of Prayer coordinator, and Rep. Peggy Mast |
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| A team from Kansas City worships and prays in the Old Supreme Court Room |
The
National Day of Prayer is supported in prayer by Operation Rolling Thunder.
Celebration of Unconditional Love Held Sept. 30, 2102
The Church in Topeka is not particularly known around the nation for its love. In fact, we have quite the opposite reputation—not because we aren’t loving—but because of certain self-promoting folks who have no concept of God’s grace.
At the same time, there is another power at work in Kansas today. It is promoting a homosexual agenda, making its way into our school curricula, our city ordinances, invading our TV screens, etc. It promotes itself through anti-bullying campaigns, civil rights arguments, and “hate” speech political correctness.
At the same time, there is another power at work in Kansas today. It is promoting a homosexual agenda, making its way into our school curricula, our city ordinances, invading our TV screens, etc. It promotes itself through anti-bullying campaigns, civil rights arguments, and “hate” speech political correctness.
So, there is graceless religion, and there is anything-goes morality.
Where are the warriors who will rise up against these two giants to stand for biblical morality while speaking the truth in love? Not opposing the people (for our struggle is not against flesh and blood), but doing spiritual warfare on their knees? Loving the people, hating the sin. The church today needs to stand for traditional marriage while also hitting our knees to pray for the lost— including those of every sinful lifestyle.
The Celebration of Unconditional Love event at the Gage Park Amphitheater on September 30, 2012, was an opportunity for the Church of Topeka to unify in support of traditional marriage. Pastor Polo Delacruz and Centro Familiar El Encuentro led a bilingual Spanish/English service at 3 pm. The celebration meeting followed at 5 pm and focused on the fact that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
The meeting was not focused on reaching out to the lost so much as to pray for the Church to be the light dispelling darkness. We don’t need to picket on street corners. We need to petition heaven.
A key scripture is Titus 2:11-12—“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. . . .”
Have Mercy! National Day of Prayer Event May 3
Pastor Polo Delacruz of El Encuentro Familiar Church acted as the
master of ceremonies. Worship was
led by the Holy Smoke Worship Band.
Partnering ministries included Capitol Commission, Chi Alpha Campus
Ministries, Capitol Commission, Christians for Life, Concerned Women for
America, Culture Shield Network, Operation Rolling Thunder, Topeka North
Outreach, Transform Topeka, and Youth for Christ.
Transformation Gathering Held October 21-22, 2011
At 10 am, there was a prayer walk around the capitol grounds. At noon, Secretary of
State Kris
Kobach spoke and prayed at a concert of prayer. There was prayer and
worship in the Capitol's Old Supreme Court Room throughout the day
beginning at 8 am.
August 18 Pastors Sneak Peek of An Appalachian Dawn
Topeka, Kansas, pastors are invited to view the documentary An Appalachian Dawn on Thursday evening, August 18, 2011, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.Where are the warriors who will rise up against these two giants to stand for biblical morality while speaking the truth in love? Not opposing the people (for our struggle is not against flesh and blood), but doing spiritual warfare on their knees? Loving the people, hating the sin. The church today needs to stand for traditional marriage while also hitting our knees to pray for the lost— including those of every sinful lifestyle.
The Celebration of Unconditional Love event at the Gage Park Amphitheater on September 30, 2012, was an opportunity for the Church of Topeka to unify in support of traditional marriage. Pastor Polo Delacruz and Centro Familiar El Encuentro led a bilingual Spanish/English service at 3 pm. The celebration meeting followed at 5 pm and focused on the fact that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
The meeting was not focused on reaching out to the lost so much as to pray for the Church to be the light dispelling darkness. We don’t need to picket on street corners. We need to petition heaven.
A key scripture is Titus 2:11-12—“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. . . .”
Have Mercy! National Day of Prayer Event May 3
A citywide event to pray for the mercy of the Lord over our
community and nation, and pray for the Church to extend mercy in His name.
Governor Sam Brownback called the Church to prayer at the Kansas Capitol observance of the National Day of Prayer in Topeka on Thursday, May 3, 2012.
The National Day of Prayer (NDOP) is observed every first Thursday in May
annually. The national theme this year was “One Nation under God.”
“Have Mercy!” was the theme of the city NDOP evening event
which was held in the Washburn University Student Union. The theme focused on the need of our communities to receive God’s
mercy and for the Church to extend His mercy to others. Participants included pastors, students, and other
members of the diverse Christian community.
Pastor Polo Delacruz of El Encuentro Familiar Church acted as the
master of ceremonies. Worship was
led by the Holy Smoke Worship Band.
Partnering ministries included Capitol Commission, Chi Alpha Campus
Ministries, Capitol Commission, Christians for Life, Concerned Women for
America, Culture Shield Network, Operation Rolling Thunder, Topeka North
Outreach, Transform Topeka, and Youth for Christ.
The traditional noon statewide NDOP observance was held at the Kansas
statehouse, on the south steps. Governor
Brownback was the master of ceremonies.
In addition, worship and prayer took place throughout the day in one of the committee rooms which served as a prayer room.
Since March of this year, a group of interested Topeka Christians has been meeting to pray for, and explore the possibility of, societal transformation in the Kansas capital. Much of the discussion centered around one of the potential tools that could spark broader interest in this subject. It is an inspiring documentary called An Appalachian Dawn.
The Hope for America Tour is premiering this documentary around the nation, and Topeka’s turn was Friday, October 21, 2011. The premiere was held the first night of a weekend gathering called Prepare the Way.
The purpose of these meetings was three-fold: to call God’s people in this region to get ready for the transformational presence of the Lord, to prepare for the last days harvest of souls, as well as the eventual advent of His return for His Bride, the Church.
There was a follow-up meeting on Saturday morning, October 22, to explore the next steps in moving toward transformation. Pastor Doug Abner from Manchester, KY, the transformed community featured in An Appalachian Dawn, helped facilitate.
Saturday evening, there was a sacred or solemn assembly based on the scriptures found in Joel 2. The theme of this portion of scripture is a call to believers to earnestly pray for God’s mercy. International prayer leader and intercessor Earl Pickard facilitated. All meetings were in the Maner Conference Center on the Expocentre grounds in Topeka.
2nd Annual Prayer on the Hill Held January 9
On
January 9, 2012, the second annual Prayer on the Hill event kicked off
the Kansas legislative year with worship and prayer at the statehouse.
This set the tone for the legislative year as intercessors from around
the state gathered to pray for critical issues, state legislators,
agency heads and the governor.
At 10 am, there was a prayer walk around the capitol grounds. At noon, Secretary of
State Kris
Kobach spoke and prayed at a concert of prayer. There was prayer and
worship in the Capitol's Old Supreme Court Room throughout the day
beginning at 8 am. August 18 Pastors Sneak Peek of An Appalachian Dawn
An Open Letter to Topeka Pastors
Dear Shepherd of God’s People,
The Invitation
Please accept this invitation to an event that could change your life and the lives of your congregation. That’s bold a statement. Allow us to explain.
What if you and your people caught a vision of citywide transformation sparked by viewing a dynamic documentary? What if God’s Spirit implanted this vision in your spirit motivating you to pursue it with all your heart? We believe you, and we, would all have our lives turned upside down by such an occurrence.
The Spark
There is such a documentary, and it’s called An Appalachian Dawn. It’s a two-hour testimony of what can happen when the church in a sin-ravaged community turns desperately toward the Lord. If it can happen in this rural Kentucky town, why not Topeka? Why not now?
The Sneak Peek Event
You are a shepherd in this community. We would like to honor you by offering a sneak preview of the film on Thursday, August 18, at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. The evening will begin at 5:30 with free food served by the Millennium Café at the library. You and your pastoral staff are invited. Please RSVP.
At 6 pm, you will preview the film chronicling the first community-wide transformation documented in America. At 8 pm, we will open up the meeting for follow-up discussion.
The Main Event
An Appalachian Dawn will be shown to the Body of Christ in Topeka in October. The exact date and location are yet to be determined.
Obviously you have a key part in gathering the citywide church for this film and casting the vision for a transformed Topeka. We believe once you’ve seen it, you will want to lead your folks to join with other congregations in unity as we view it corporately.
The Website
For more information about transformation, go to TransformTopekaKS.org.
In order for us to plan for enough food, please RSVP by Friday, August 12, to: TransformTopekaKS@gmail.com.
Blessings in Our Lord,
Pastor Tommy Scott, Community Church
David Epps, Topeka National Day of Prayer
Barry Feaker, Topeka Rescue Mission
