Men’s Prayer Line Ministry Gather for Retreat

Story by LaTasha Hewitt 

A men’s prayer line that began more than 20 years ago recently hosted a retreat on Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) grounds, bringing together 42 attendees. The weekend event, themed “Renewed, Refreshed, Restored,” was organized by prayer line volunteers, a vital part of the ministry founded by the late Larry Wilson, the former Men’s Ministries leader at the North Philadelphia church. The retreat sought to accomplish the original vision and mission of the prayer line: to provide a safe and spiritually nurturing place for men of all denominations to come together to be encouraged, empowered and connected with other men who are also seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Men from various Christian persuasions spoke at the retreat. Sessions included topics such as “He Who Has Begun a Good Work”; “Unity: Real Talk”; “Men’s Health: Running the Race to Win Spiritually and Physically”; “Fears, Hang-ups and Isolation”; “Why Men Cry in the Dark”; and much more.

The interactions were heartfelt, moving and fun. Some described the event as “life-changing.” One young attendee now wants to attend Pine Forge Academy as a result, and a pastor from another denomination wants AEC to partner with him to organize a men’s retreat next year!

“The Lord answered our prayers, and we are looking forward to doing even greater things for Him and for men in the near future,” says Mark Brown, one of the organizers and an elder at the New Life church in Gaithersburg, Md.