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Golden State
‘PRAYER CLOSETS’–Men gathered in groups to pray for each other, their corps and their communities.
by Major Lawrence Shiroma –
More than 100 men of the Golden State Division gathered recently to draw up battle plans for an ongoing spiritual warfare. Brilliantly planned and executed by Captain Debra Shrum, divisional secretary for program, the Men’s Fellowship Retreat represented a tremendous victory over our adversary, the devil.
Training in “hand-to-hand combat” was given by special guest Major Edward W. Covert, Hayward corps officer. Strategy sessions included workshops on prayer and how to live as godly men in a world in turmoil. Shrum and Captain Allie Niles, Hawaii and Pacific Islands Division general secretary, created the retreat’s theme, “Armed for Battle.” Captain Beth Moyle created the artwork for the backdrop at the retreat.
Reliance on God was evidenced by the testimonies of the men. Captain Joe Posillico, Modesto Corps officer, shared that every pastor in his city meets each Wednesday to pray for each other, their wives and their marriages. Such accountability among the clergy has resulted in the low divorce rate in that locality. Captain Gil Roman, San Jose Temple Corps, admonished those caught in the addiction of pornography to give it to the Lord and ask him for help with this sexual habit. Corps Sergeant Majors Ernie Henderson and Ernie Tate, San Francisco Lighthouse and Modesto Corps, respectively, encouraged the men to remain faithful in their calling as believers in Christ and to keep holding on to the Word of God.
“Prayer closets,” where men gathered in groups to pray for each other, their corps and their communities, was a special experience. During the Sunday worship more than 18 men came forward to bring their prayers and tears to the altar.
Shrum announced the theme for the 1999 Men’s Fellowship Camp is “Running with Knives,” and will be concerned with making ethical and moral decisions within the confines of an immoral and corrupt society.
