In
June 1996, the Rev. Jim Goforth, Director of
Missions for the Adirondack Baptist
Association
(Southern Baptist
Convention),
and the Rev. John Werley, Senior Pastor of First
Congregational Church of Malone
(United Church of Christ),
were led by God to call together local pastors to
begin to pray for the renewal, revival, and
spiritual awakening of the Christian churches of
the North Country- of whatever variety, style, or
denomination they may be. In July, between 10-12
Pastors began meeting for prayer weekly, and this
prayer time has continued steadily since then.
Participants have moved in and out of the prayer circle over the 12 years it has been gathering due to retirement, pastoral moves, and so forth, but several of the original folk remain. Denominations and traditions of the pastors have ranged from Mainline to Evangelical to Charismatic to Orthodox to Roman Catholic with a wide variety of worship styles and theologies. Our basis for gathering is "Jesus Christ is Lord", and our purpose is a "desire for spiritual revival in the North Country"-- beyond that all else is negotiable. We do share our traditions and theological and doctrinal heritages, but agree not to let them divide us or take away from our stated purpose.
We find wonderful discussions and deep and sensitive prayer in our weekly time together, and we have seen the Holy Spirit at work many times, and have recognized that spiritual renewal in our midst. Be patient... God is not finished with us yet, and has much more light to break forth from his glorious Word, and much more renewal to do in the Churches of this North Country.
Participants have moved in and out of the prayer circle over the 12 years it has been gathering due to retirement, pastoral moves, and so forth, but several of the original folk remain. Denominations and traditions of the pastors have ranged from Mainline to Evangelical to Charismatic to Orthodox to Roman Catholic with a wide variety of worship styles and theologies. Our basis for gathering is "Jesus Christ is Lord", and our purpose is a "desire for spiritual revival in the North Country"-- beyond that all else is negotiable. We do share our traditions and theological and doctrinal heritages, but agree not to let them divide us or take away from our stated purpose.
We find wonderful discussions and deep and sensitive prayer in our weekly time together, and we have seen the Holy Spirit at work many times, and have recognized that spiritual renewal in our midst. Be patient... God is not finished with us yet, and has much more light to break forth from his glorious Word, and much more renewal to do in the Churches of this North Country.
History of the
Group
