"Pray21" national prayer movement for teens and adults launched by Christian Endeavor International
by Michael Ireland
May 24, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) -- Christian Endeavor has been dedicated for 125 years to equip young people with the tools to live the Christian life in a meaningful and personal way. It is now active in more than 80 nations. Many of today's best-known and respected Christian leaders, such as Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Paul Cedar, Dr. Tony Campolo, and Dr. Howard Hendricks took part in the CE movement as youth.
Now Christian Endeavor has launched "Pray21," a national youth initiative to encourage teens and adults to pray together during 21 days in September while empowering youth ministry in their church and community. The announcement was made in connection with the National Day of Prayer in the nation's capital on May 3.
Timothy Eldred, Executive Director of Christian Endeavor International, who announced the launch in Washington, D.C., was joined by a cast of Christian, political and business dignitaries, including student leaders. Mr. Eldred's press conference and statements can be viewed in its entirety at http://pray21.org/news.php.
National leaders such as Josh McDowell, Dr. Jack Hayford, Dan Wolgemuth, Paul Fleischmann, Dr. Richard Ross, Dr. Barry St. Clair, Chuck Klein, and many others have joined together in support of Pray21.
At a press conference Eldred proclaimed, "On September 9th of this year, thousands of churches across the country will join together to build stronger faith in their young people-and their adults-by encouraging them to pray together. Pray21 Sunday is the first step to strengthening the future of our youth and the church. We invite 10,000 churches, youth and adults, to join us with this exciting national event."
Mr. Eldred said in his press conference: "We stand in Washington DC on this National Day of Prayer to announce Pray21 -- a nationwide trust-building youth initiative. Today, we come together in our Nation's Capitol to raise a happy ruckus, to declare a challenge, to say 'we believe -- in young people.' To say, 'we will stop preying on young people, stop playing games, and start praying with youth.' As a nation, we believe in the power of prayer.
"It is in prayer that belief is born," Eldred said. "Pray21 is a 21-day trust-building youth initiative for the nation that connects adults and young people in a prayer partnership to awaken belief, to listen, and to accept young people's mission to transform this world."
Beginning Sunday, September 9, Pray21 will launch in thousands of churches across the nation. Timothy Eldred continued by saying, "You can join in, too. Log on to pray21.org and find out about how you can join others who believe in young people.
For more on this story, to download free Pray21 materials or for the media kit, please go to www.Pray21.org. Change America's future - Pray with Youth - Pray21!
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
