2007 Leadership Conference Prayer Letter

Theme: We the tree...We must go through Samaria

The Goodness of God and our Persistence in Prayer

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Luke 11:13

Jesus tells an incredibly powerful story in Luke 11:1-13. He responds to the disciples request to teach them to pray. By sharing the Lord's prayer and then this unique story about a friend going to another friend for loaves of bread in the middle of the night. Jesus encourages us never to give up in prayer but to continue to persist and take hold of God. Jesus says in response to our praying, and in His goodness, He will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

We encourage you to take time this month to pray that the Lord would give in abundance His Holy Spirit to all the efforts and desires of the upcoming Leadership Conference. Pray for the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon the various decisions, preparations, and details that need to be decided this month. By the way, note that in Matthew 7:11, our Lord speaks of a similar concept of the goodness and faithfulness of God in that He delights in giving good gifts to those who ask Him.

So as you seek and ask the Lord on behalf of Leadership Conference this month, please, with great faith, ask Him for both the fullness of His Spirit and the good gifts He has for us.

Thanks for your faithful prayers!

- Fritz Dale,

EFCA Leadership Conference Prayer Director

Praises:

Registration is coming in for the conference.
A great sense of God's hand on our worship services as we anticipate what He might do in our services.
The DVD's have been sent to every church in the EFCA.
Plans to hear many GodSightings at this conference.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for pastors and leaders making travel arrangements and hotel reservations as they make plans to come: that God would superintend it all.
Pray for God to prepare the speakers and worship leaders for their ministry at the conference.
Pray for all the logistics that must be finalized this month for the conference.
Pray that God will equip the conference leadership team with everything they need as they make the final plans for conference.

A note from President Hamel:

Dear Friends and Family,

Web registration for Leadership Conference is now open. This email is a friendly reminder to complete your registration for Leadership Conference. Visit our Web site at www.bthetree.org to learn more about Conference or to register.

As you plan your trip to Minneapolis there are two events that you will want to consider. Tuesday evening is EFCA night at the Dome. Elim Care is hosting a fun event including a picnic before the Twins game and then "yours truly" is supposed to throw out the first pitch.

June is a beautiful month in Minnesota so you may want to plan some time "up north." Check out the Web site for lots of great Minnesota options.

One way to help encourage participation in conference is to try to get your church leadership to view the DVD that was sent to every EFCA church. Please encourage the leaders of your church to attend. The theme this year is critical to the future ministry of the EFCA. Along with the Statement of Faith discussions, equipping and networking for ministry, our theme "...we must go though Samaria..." is essential if we are to glorify God and multiply healthy churches among all people.