TPN

Please continue to pray for those who have lost so much in these storms.  Teams are reaching out to help, but so much is needed.  If you would like to contribute to the efforts with your financial support checks may be sent to the Tuscaloosa Prayer Network,  2112  Hargrove Rd. E.  Tuscaloosa,    AL   35405.

The Tuscaloosa Prayer Network is an association of pastors and ministers who believe that what God has in mind for Tuscaloosa is much bigger than what any one congregation or denomination can do alone. We believe that to achieve God’s purpose in our city we must move toward unity among Christians across lines of denomination, race and culture. As leaders we recognize the need to link arms with other Christians to fulfill the prayer of Christ in John 17, “Father make them one.” So our purpose is to bring God’s people together in Tuscaloosa. We believe that God’s plan for us is that, though we are many congregations, we would walk in unity of heart as the one church in Tuscaloosa.

For the past 3 years we have mobilized the Christian community to serve through the Mayor’s Hope Initiative - going into the high crime and poverty areas of the city to pray for, care for, and share Christ with the people there. As a result of the tornado, TPN is now helping to connect churches and available resources for the tornado relief effort throughout our area. As a result of over 20 years of building a network of relationships among pastors, TPN is primed to bring help and healing to our community as we recover from these tornados. This will be a long term project. Please consider making a contribution to TPN as you today.

“Let’s take it to the next level,” were the challenging words from Mayor Walt Maddox at the 2010 Hope Initiative Lunch. Mayor Maddox was referring to the faith component of the Hope Initiative which is partnering with city government to focus people and resources to high crime areas in the city. The lunch was hosted by Dr. Vernon Swift, pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church. A delicious meal was served by members of his congregation. Over one hundred pastors and Christian leaders came to hear an update on the progress of the ministry outreach and to hear from Mayor Maddox and Chief of Police Steve Anderson. Mayor Maddox acknowledged that over the years, many people and churches have been helping others. But what we were doing individually we are now doing as a team, working together to serve our city. Chief Anderson said that crime is down in most of the areas targeted two years ago as having the most crime, poverty, and blight. He believes this is a result of the increased efforts of city government together with ministry from the Christian community.

Dr. George Daniels, professor of Communications at the University of Alabama, did a video presentation that showed some of the activities of churches who have partnered together to do block parties, kid’s Bible clubs, prayer walks, tutoring, backpack giveaways and more. He also had copies of a newsletter for everyone detailing the ministry activities in each of the seven Hope Initiative zones. This newsletter was a project by one of his students and was a great report of what churches are doing in these neighborhoods. Dr. Daniels has involved his students in projects and created an internship for one of his students to work with the Hope Initiative outreach. Gary Wendt, with Authentic Renovation Ministry, had a display and a slide presentation showing the construction projects they are doing to help people in the Hope Initiative zones. Volunteers working with Gary do various landscaping, repair, and building work for low income people referred to them.

The mayor’s Hope Initiative has given both impetus and focus to the corporate church in Tuscaloosa as we build relationships, not only with these neighborhoods but also with each other across lines of denomination, race, and culture. Unity in the Body of Christ is empowering the church to be more effective in the things God has called us to do.

If you are interested in taking part in the work of the Hope Initiative, feel free to call William Scroggins at 462-9916 or email William@tuscaloosaprayer.net.