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Whittier Corps partners with others for a day of united intercessory prayer.
More than 30 Christian church representatives from various denominations gathered at The Salvation Army Whittier (Calif.) Corps Feb. 11 for the 14th annual Whittier Area Prayer Summit to ask for divine intervention for the Whittier area at large.
The 11-hour event addressed several topics, including children, political leaders, first responders, teachers, soldiers, families and those suffering from HIV. The occasion attracted an estimated 500 people.
“In the time I had in the pulpit, I thanked the congregation assembled for their attendance and indicated that The Salvation Army building is more than a church facility,” Corps Officer Major David Sholin. “It is a community center, built by many of our church supporters throughout the city of Whittier. It is a community building to be used for prayer and spiritual celebration. With that, it is our full intention to honor God firstly through our spiritual presence in our community.”
Rev. Dwight Sullivan of the Whittier Evangelical United Methodist Church and event co-founder, said, “There aren’t too many communities that have something like this.” He noted that the event is just one example of the close relationship that different denominations have forged in Whittier. “It seems to be growing each year,” he said. “We believe in the power of prayer because we believe in the one who answers prayer.”
It appears that the group is beginning to see the fruit of its labor.
“We’re seeing the manifestations of the prayers we’ve been praying all these years,” said Rev. Ralph Pacheco of the First Christian Church International of Whittier and also a co-founder of the summit.
