…and with apologies to the Greenbelt Festival, it was also a case of on A Wing And A Prayer, as we went into the week with some unexpected but welcome press coverage – courtesy of the Evening Echo.
Along with the front-page news, of how local police intend to work alongside local churches to see co-ordinated prayer used in the fight against crime, there was, on page three, not a scantily-clad lovely but the attractive sight of the first (and in this case, near half-page) coverage of Love Southend.
Both stories came out of a conversation that Supt. Int. Steve Currell, a committed Christian, had with the Echo’s crime reporter on Saturday, 1st January. Despite it being the New Year Bank Holiday weekend, by Monday morning various people involved with the stories were being contacted for quotes, and on Tuesday 4th we were news – almost before we knew it!
The speed at which it happened (without much help from us) was surprising, and it was welcome encouragement, going into the Prayer Week.
Many people came along to hear more about, and pray for Love Southend, and for the Borough and it’s people at five different venues. On the Wednesday for example, between 100-150 Christians arrived at Leigh Road Baptist Church to pray…from at least nineteen churches:
Leigh Road Baptist Church, Leigh
The Vineyard
Elim Christian Centre, Leigh
St. Clements C of E, Leigh
Bournemouth Park URC, Southchurch
World Harvest Family Church
Earls Hall Baptist Church, Prittlewell
Westcliff Baptist Church
Elim Fellowship, Westcliff
River Of Life Church
Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southchurch
Alexander Free Church, Chalkwell
Moorcroft Hall Christian Assembly
St. Michaels C of E, Westcliff
St. Saviours C of E, Westcliff
The Kings Church
Southend Christian Fellowship
…the last of which hosted the 24-hour prayer watch, on the last day. Back at Leigh Road, they also broadcasted an interview with Steve Currell, that had gone out on BBC Essex, that morning.
More about the Prayer Week as we get it: we hope to feature a photo or two, when the website gets it’s Official Launch, soon. This will also include details of a regular Tuesday morning prayer-initiative, as well as help with praying for Love Southend on an ongoing basis. So please, keep praying!
…and if you have any particular stories arising from the Prayer Week that you’d like to share with this website, please e-mail them to publicity@lovesouthend.org
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