CHURCH, STORES PARTNERS IN SPREADING FAITH
by Stan Griffin
A Baptist church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has placed boxes in 35 retail locations such as restaurants, dry cleaners, and bookstores inviting customers to drop in written requests for prayers.
In addition to doing their shopping, a patron can write an anonymous note asking to have a prayer recited for them. In a few days, a member of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church evangelism ministry (called SWAT-- Soul Winning Action Team) picks up the cards. Then the intercessory-prayer team prays for each of the requests. So far the most "popular" subjects have been: family unity, good health, peace in the Iraq situation, and better job opportunities.
All the boxes bear Enon’s address, telephone number, etc., but " ... we’re not looking to have someone fill out a card so we can get their personal information and contact them ..." said Rev. Alyn E. Waller. If a prayer is answered, the requestor is " ... more likely to seek out a spiritual connection ... (no matter where they go) mission accomplished."
The congregation at Enon numbers 4,500, has four services on weekends, and is soon to break ground for a new church building.