General Council Prayer Committee Appointed

The establishment of a General Council Prayer Committee was recently approved by the Assemblies of God national office’s Executive Leadership Team to help facilitate prayer initiatives and to be a national and district prayer resource. 

Mark Forrester, senior director of Communications and Public Relations for the Assemblies of God, says the prayer committee, which he chairs, is made up of five additional ministers (four men and one woman) who are known for their passion for prayer and skilled leadership. 

In addition to Forrester, the General Council Prayer Committee includes: Ronald J. Auch Sr., Kenosha, Wisconsin; John C. Bates, Ovilla, Texas; Jamie Morgan, Williamstown, New Jersey; Kevin Senapatiratne, Blaine, Minnesota; and John Maempa, Springfield, Missouri. The committee members have each agreed to serve the Fellowship in this capacity for a two-year term. 

“The members of the General Council Prayer Committee have the task of speaking into prayer initiatives, such as the annual Week of Prayer,” explains Forrester. “They will also be a key resource for articles concerning prayer for PE News, assisting districts in connecting to prayer resources, coordinating prayer opportunities such as the General Council Prayer Room, and assuming other responsibilities connected to enhancing prayer in our Fellowship.” 

Auch, who spent 20 years leading prayer conferences before founding Prayer House Assembly 18 years ago, has recently resigned to resume traveling and teaching. The author of nine books covering varying facets of prayer, he says it’s a privilege and honor to serve the Assemblies of God as a member of the prayer committee. 

“We’ll be promoting the prayer life of the church as a Movement,” Auch says, “and searching for different ways to promote prayer in our churches.” 

Jamie Morgan, who has pastored Life Church for a decade and established Life House of Prayer in Williamstown, New Jersey, about two years ago, is also excited about being on the committee. 

I’m already a member of America’s National Prayer Committee (NPC),” Morgan says, “and as big of a deal as that is — and it is a real honor — for me, this [being a part of the General Council Prayer Committee] is a bigger deal because this is my Fellowship.” 

Morgan says she’s excited about the prospects of crafting articles on prayer and coming alongside districts to establish, offer insight to, or fulfill prayer initiatives. 

“The bottom line is, ‘How can we help you regarding prayer?’” Morgan states. “My desire is to see the Assemblies of God, collectively, cry out for revival.”

Dan Van Veen

Dan Van Veen is news editor of AG News. Prior to transitioning to AG News in 2001, Van Veen served as managing editor of AG U.S. Missions American Horizon magazine for five years. He attends Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, where he and his wife, Lori, teach preschool Sunday School and 4- and 5-year-old Rainbows boys and girls on Wednesdays.