TCMA's National Day of Prayer breakfast held May 7 at Campbellsville University

Related Media

Program participants and planners came together at the annual Taylor County Ministerial Association’s National Day of Prayer breakfast held May 7 at Campbellsville University. /Photo by Linda Waggener

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (05/07/2015)(readMedia)-- "Lord, Hear Our Cry," the theme for the 2015 National Day of Prayer, was introduced by the Rev. Pamela Young Buford of Fannie Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, opening the annual Taylor County Ministerial Association (TCMA) prayer breakfast. She said the first Thursday of every May is declared as a day of prayer for America and her people who believe "Christian prayer works through the power of Jesus -- where two or more gather in His name, there He shall always be in our midst."

The program of prayers continued both before and after breakfast in Campbellsville University's Winters Dining Hall. Prayers were said for all areas of the country. The time of repentance prayer was led by the Rev. James Washington, III, pastor of New Zion Baptist Church; prayers for the country and the government were led by Dr. John Hurtgen, Dean of the School of Theology; and Dr. Michael V. Carter, President of Campbellsville University; prayers for the military and veterans were led by Dr. Dwayne Howell, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew; prayers for the media were led by Stan McKinney, lead professor for the department of mass communication; prayers for business were led by Larry Bowen, with The Gideons; prayers for education were led by Dr. Carol Garrison, professor of education; prayers for churches were led by the Rev. Ronnie Dooley, pastor Elkhorn United Methodist Church; and prayers for families were led by the Rev. Earl Rodgers, local pastor. CU students Jericho McCoy sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, and Aron Neal led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest speaker Eric Gilbert, pastor of 3Trees Church in Taylor and Russell Counties, said, "prayer doesn't just change things, prayer changes everything." He said there are those who say God has given up on American but that it's not a question of whether God is done with America, rather the question is whether America is done with God. He said it starts with me, it starts with you and with the church. When God gets involved He cleans us up on the inside and then goes on to the outside."

Dr. Twyla Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Christian Missions, thanked pastor Gilbert for his message and said, "I will hold that as self evident, "prayer doesn't just change things, prayer changes everything."

Campbellsville University President Michael V. Carter said, "We are blessed to live in these United States of America, a nation that champions dignity and human rights for all people. We are thankful that we live in a country where we have the opportunity for diverse people and beliefs to come together and have a conversation."

Dr. John Chowning, Saloma Baptist Church pastor and vice president for church and external relations at Campbellsville University, introduced the National Day of Prayer proclamation read by Campbellsville Mayor Tony Young and Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers.

The closing prayer was led by the Rev. Brian Rafferty, pastor of Elk Horn Baptist Church who asked the over 70 in attendance to link hands around the room, "joining hands as the body of Christ to bind the enemy and put him under our feet."

The 2015 National Day of Prayer program was co-sponsored by the Taylor County Ministerial Association and Campbellsville University with the meal underwritten by TCMA member Saloma Baptist Church.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.