An Article of Faith

God has placed each of us in a unique context within a sphere of relationships where He has blessed us with influence. The question is, “How does God want to use me in that context to pursue the outpouring of the Spirit and the advancement of the gospel?”
One of the benefits of the OneCry community is the opportunity to learn from each other regarding how to “pray, share, and lead” for spiritual awakening. The following story is an example of how ordinary people have been used by God to put OneCry into action. And, as a result, the flame is spreading.
Bob and Kathy are an ordinary retired couple from a small town in Indiana. But since finding out about the power of praying together with other believers for God’s power to advance the gospel, they have been caught up in a series of unexpected adventures! It all started when they decided to use their winter vacation months in New Orleans in a new way. Here is a part of their story in their own words:
“God is answering our prayers! I want to give you a brief update on the OneCry efforts here in New Orleans; it has been one of the most exciting times in my life! Living in the French Quarter, we have developed a habit of holding hands and praying as we walk a lot of places, and God is answering in amazing and unexpected ways:
“1) I thought we would start a OneCry prayer meeting and grow it, but we found different pockets of believers already praying for revival and a very diverse and healthy Pastors Coalition, so my efforts turned toward uniting all the efforts with OneCry.
“2) We have become good friends with an influential woman who led Women’s Aglow for 18 years and was on the organizing committee for a gathering of 300 churches in the Superdome in the 1970s. She introduced us to a Christian leader who has a radio talk show, and after we attended Bible study in his home, he invited me to talk about OneCry on his radio show.
“3) We have met many leaders in the city and overall have been plowing ground and sowing seed for the goals of OneCry. The most exciting has been getting to know Paul, who organizes and runs the Greater New Orleans Pastors Coalition (about 100 churches involved, very diverse ethnically and denominationally, with mailings to an additional 400 churches). He has an unusual burden for the unity of the body of Christ. He invited me to the Pastors Coalition Prayer Meeting that meets monthly, and it was a thrill to meet many pastors and pray together! Paul is now taking the OneCry materials to the leadership committee and announcing it at the next Coalition Prayer Meeting. He is also taking it to a nearby active pastoral group.
“I feel like we are getting ready to take off IF WE PRAY! I am hanging on for a ride of a lifetime and am SO THANKFUL He chose me to be involved! I am so convinced He is moving on hearts to pray because He wants to answer!”
Bob and Kathy are just an ordinary couple with a burden for prayer, but God is using them to encourage prayer in hundreds of others! How could God use your marriage and family to further OneCry for spiritual awakening? (Taken and adapted from: OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. Visit www.onecry.com.)
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV.)

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.