Business Leaders Praying for our Community

Citywide Prayer Movement is an organization that has been around KC for decades. It primarily has been an organization to encourage the church to pray collectively and even more importantly individually. It has been intentional about gathering pastors to pray together to help bring unity to the church and to bring change to our community.

Several years ago I was at an ordination meeting as Gary Schmitz was being appointed the first full time executive director of Citywide Prayer Movement. On that day I felt that God made it clear to me that I was to personally support this work financially. Although it didn’t make any sense to me at the time, I was obedient.

Soon Gary invited me to join the board as a representative of the business community to this group. It felt very strange at first serving on a board with all pastors, but over time as we prayed together and worked together God used those relationships in profound and interesting ways.

Eventually, I was asked to become President of the board. I have been able to be a constant advocate for the business community to this group. Over time I have seen this group of pastors begin to have a better understanding of the need for our ministry and the need for them to discover ways to better connect and equip their business leaders for the calling God has given these business leaders to the marketplace.

The lesson I have learned the most from my time with Citywide Prayer Movement is the importance of building deep relationships before trying to do significant collaborative work. There have been times I have felt like it was time for this group to do “something,” but Gary Schmitz would encourage and remind me that building strong relationships is doing the hard work that is necessary for God to join us in other efforts.

Citywide Prayer Movement has gatherings of pastors in local communities called Village Fires. These people gather to pray for their community and for unity of the church. We also host prayer retreats and train and equip people to spend time regularly in the “Secret Place” with their Lord. If you would like to know more visit www.citywideprayerkc.com