The Intercessory Prayer Ministry encourages the spiritual development of church members and provides a comprehensive, Biblical approach to this spiritual discipline, supported by Biblical teaching and corporate prayer opportunities. Its services include multiple prayer sessions each week.
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry model was submitted and approved by the pastor and Deacon Board in 2017, at which time the ministry began with a weekly prayer call led by ministers on Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. The leaders also reached out to the Board of Deaconesses to initiate a call on Wednesdays at noon, and to the Board of Deacons to partner for the ongoing weekly prayer meetings on Thursday nights at 6:30. This provided full coverage by these three ministry teams with a point person on each team for coordinated efforts on some events.
Prior to its formal operation, the ministry offered a summer-long teaching series called Kairos Clinic. Many people were blessed as they learned to incorporate Biblical keys to strengthen their faith and prayer life. Since it formally began, the ministry has never missed in delivering one of its three weekly prayer calls—including during the pandemic.
In addition, it has provided Bible studies around principles for a deeper prayer life, six-hour prayer vigils (in person and virtual), 24-hour prayer vigils (drawing more than 130 participants), prayer outreach on the global mission field, and for individual members upon request, prayer walks around the White House compound, and prayer breakfasts, among other events.
Today, the ministry continues to provide spiritual leadership and continuity in the prayer life of the church with Biblical foundations and in collaboration with the Deacon Board and the Deaconess Board. In addition, the leaders partner with other ministries to lead initiatives to support spiritual renewal and development.
The prayer ministry hosted an annual prayer teaching and prayer breakfast in 2023 featuring our own beloved Dr. LaTonya Wrenn and Overseer Lisa Jackson, a gifted vocalist who has performed with Donnie McClurkin and Dorinda Clark-Cole, among others. Overseer Jackson is also an ordained preacher of the gospel. Following the prayer breakfast, the ministry led a congregational prayer and anointing service in the sanctuary with various ministers and lay leaders. These prayers were made with a focus on healing and in preparation for a church-wide prayer initiative: Season of Prayer for Healing and Spiritual Renewal, called by the chair of the Board of Deacons.
More than 50 Bibles and prayer journals were given to members at the prayer breakfast to encourage study of God’s Word as a foundation for deeper and more effectual prayer.Most recently, a Young Adult Prayer Team was formed as the fourth group to pray for our congregation and church ministry,
especially Sunday worship services. The other prayer teams routinely meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m., led by the ministers; Wednesdays at noon, led by the deaconesses; and at Thursday prayer meetings at 6:30 p.m., led by the deacons.
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry is led by Rev. Ed Turner, Rev. Lorise White Wolfe, and Rev. Robin Turner in partnership with Deaconess Pearl Sudduth and Deacon Deborah Crain Kemp as point persons for those respective ministries. To contact a member of the ministry, send an email to office@19thstreetbc.org, or rklturner@aol.com or call the church office at 202-829-2773.