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Since their retirement from active service four years ago, Lt. Colonels Mervyn and Shirley Morelock have continued their ministry as Prayer Coordinators for the Western Territory. Through their belief in the power of consolidated prayer, the Morelocks have brought thousands of people together in spirit before God.
Their vital ministry now includes 579 prayer leaders and 2,230 prayer partners. Prayer partners live in every western division, many other U.S. states, Canada, the U.K., China, Australia and several European countries.
Lt. Colonel Mervyn Morelock also provides a monthly column for New Frontier, “Prayer: The Heart of Holiness,” listing current prayer requests and praise reports.
The Morelocks began the Prayer Partner program in July 1995, while serving as territorial evangelists and officer counselors. They united about 200 prayer partners who prayed for them and their crusades.
Six months before the Morelocks retired, Commissioner David Edwards asked if they would expand the prayer ministry, and so the “Call to Prayer” program was initiated to encourage people to pray for the needs of the territory.
Just before the Morelocks retired, Edwards asked if they would continue to lead the ministry in retirement. They have been doing so since from their home in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Besides the monthly Call to Prayer article, the Morelocks maintain a toll free telephone ministry, 1-877-347-PRAY (7729), for prayer requests and praise reports. They also receive e-mail prayer requests at the address: SAPrayerline@aol.com.
The Morelocks continue to participate in and lead prayer events and seminars, including the 24 hour Call to Prayer last fall, annual territorial prayer emphases, the 24/7 Territorial Prayer Initiative and the prayer ministry at the 2002 More Than Gold ministry at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. They also worked on the YouthQuake prayer rooms.
The Certificate in Recognition of Exceptional Service recognizes service of officers, soldiers or friends of the Army so outstanding in length or quality as to be placed on permanent record. Recent Western Territory recipients include Major Dolores Rivitt (1991) and Raul Guerrero (1992).
For their unceasing years of service to God and The Salvation Army, and for their love and commitment to others through the Call to Prayer ministry, Lt. Colonels Mervyn and Shirley Morelock merit both the Army’s Certificate in Recognition of Exceptional Service and the Trailblazers of the Year award.
