Communal Reading of Scripture

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In 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul encourages us to devote ourselves to the public reading of Scripture. After the Israelites escaped slavery and when they entered the Promised Land, they came together to hear God’s law. In Deuteronomy, God commands that the entire law be read every seven years for all of the Israelites to hear. Even in the New Testament, we find Jesus reading Scripture aloud in the synagogue. Public reading of Scripture was a reminder of God’s law and his faithfulness. It also brought God’s people together in community.

Reading the Bible aloud with a group of people is an ancient practice. In fact, the origins of the Bible are deeply rooted in it being read aloud in public. The Bible Project provides a facinating look into the origins and development of this biblical topic, and how it offers us a model for engaging the Scriptures in our own day.

Our Montgomery County CBMC team meets weekly to encourage each other spiritually and to practically pursue the disciple-making work of the Great Commission — meeting men where they are and and helping one another to become the men that God intends us to be.  We seek God’s wisdom and direction in life by reading the Bible together, discussing how it impacts our life and mission, and praying for each other.

Our group is for men only but open to all – please come and join us!

CBMC Presents: Dave Brown, Washington Coalition of Men’s Ministries – Jan. 29

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Dave Brown

Please join us this Tuesday, January 29, from 6:45-8:00 AM in the community room at the Einstein Bagel at 531 Firstfield Road and Quince Orchard Blvd in Gaithersburg to hear Dave’s perspective on today’s culture and the issue of masculine identity.

In his blog, Authentice Manhood, Dave writes about the way we find our masculine identity in Jesus Christ:

MEN IN OUR CULTURE ARE IN TROUBLE 
Masculinity is in crisis mode. The signs are everywhere. Men are confused and wavering. The stats on fatherlessness are alarming and growing. So is the sexual violence that seems to be aired everywhere. Everyone is pointing out symptoms or pointing fingers. I want to point to something else. I want to point to a door that has been opened. Men are predisposed to figure things out for themselves. But manhood resists all attempts to be figured out that way. 
To enter it, a man must do something very different. He must learn to receive. He must let Himself be given three priceless gifts, ones he cannot earn, work for, or prove himself worthy of. They come as graces given in his time of need.
[These three priceless gifts] come from the One described as the indescribable gift, Jesus Himself. He took 12 men and gave them those three gifts: an identity in Him, a quest to build His kingdom, and a promise to be their guide through it all. They entered manhood this way. They became men like Him, chiseled into His image. Read More

DID GILLETTE GET IT RIGHT? Recently Gillette introduced an ad, “We Beilieve: The Best Men Can Be” – Gillette: “Bullying. Harassment. Is this the best a man can get? It’s only by challenging ourselves to do more, that we can get closer to our best. To say the right thing, to act the right way.”
Gillette has been bombarded with both praise and abuse after launching an advertising campaign promoting a new kind of positive masculinity. Engaging with the #MeToo movement, the company’s new advertising campaign plays on its 30-year tagline “The best a man can get”, replacing it with “The best men can be”. This has tapped a nerve in our society and raised some controversy.

Dave Brown is the Director and Pastor-at-Large of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries (WACMM), a non-profit, non-denominational ministry to develop and encourage ministries to men in the mid-Atlantic region. Founded in 1999, WACMM is one of the oldest and largest coalitions of local men’s ministries in the nation.

Dave served thirty years in the Federal Government holding senior policy and management positions in the U.S. Congress, the Executive Office of the President and the Executive Branch, where he was a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). From 1981-1989, he served as an appointee of President Ronald Reagan. Since 2001, Dave has served in pastoral roles in churches in our area, and currently serves on the leadership team of OneHeartDC.

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast – May 3, 2018

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The Christian community joined in prayer on Thursday, May 3, 2018, asking for God to provide unity and his peace in America, Maryland and Montgomery County. As Christ’s ambassadors in Montgomery County, we ask for the power of God’s Spirit bring renewal and flourishing of Christ’s Kingdom into our homes, workplaces, and communities.

  • But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [Ephesians 2:13-18]

Keynote: Dr. Joel Freeman: 

Dr. Joel Freeman served as player development mentor and character coach to the Washington Bullets/Wizards team for 20 NBA seasons.  He is a renowned expert, author and speaker on African American history and culture and brings a rich reservoir of personal experience blended with contagious enthusiasm, clarity and down to earth humor to empower people from diverse walks of life.

Prayers for Unity & Peace — Specific prayers were made for:

  • Prayer for unity under God in our nation and throughout the body of Christ
  • Prayer for the safety and well-being of our Teachers, Students, and Families
  • Prayer for wisdom and courage for our Government Leaders and Public Servants; First Responders and Veterans
  • Prayer for flourishing and integrity of our Workers & Business leaders for the good of our communities
  • Prayer for compassion and assistance for our Poor, Vulnerable and Oppressed

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast Sponsors

Why Pray? Montgomery County National Day of Prayer Breakfast, May 3, 2018

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“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14

The Christian community will join in prayer on Thursday, May 3, 2018, asking for God to provide unity and his peace in America, Maryland and Montgomery County. As Christ’s ambassadors in Montgomery County, we ask for the power of God’s Spirit bring renewal and flourishing of Christ’s Kingdom into our homes, workplaces, and communities.

WHERE: The breakfast will be held at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (Lower Level Social Hall), 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851.
WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 2018, 6:30 to 8:00 AM (Program starts at 6:50 AM).
COST: Free, donation of any amount for breakfast accepted. (Any excess of funds over cost will be donated to a ministry in Montgomery County).
RSVP REQUIRD: https://montctyprayerbreakfast2018.eventbrite.com

All are welcome! Please invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to join us.

Why gather together to pray?

  • God calls us to Pray for Everyone: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
  • God calls us to answer Jesus’ prayer for unity in the church: John 17:21 – “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
  • God promises to answer His peoples’ prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

WE NEED TO PRAY!

But what should we pray about?  For everyone and every need (Eph 6:18)!  Specific prayers will be made for:

  • Prayer for unity under God in our nation and throughout the body of Christ.
    • Montgomery County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. It should be obvious that racial tensions and social unrest have not been eliminated in our nation in the 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King’s death.
    • We need to pray for God’s grace and wisdom to help us to carry out the ministry of reconcilliation with God (2 Cor. 5:18-19) and each other (Eph. 2:14-16).
  • Prayer for the safety and well-being of our Teachers, Students, and Families
    • In the 50 years before the Texas tower shooting, there were just 25 public mass shootings in which four or more people were killed. Since then, the number has risen dramatically, and many of the deadliest shootings have occurred within the past few years. This rise in shootings reflects the breakdown of the family and its impact on youth.
  • Prayer for wisdom and courage for our Government Leaders and Public Servants; First Responders and Veterans
    • Our Federal, State and Local government leaders are facing many challenges from national security, immigration to budgeting and fiscal policy.
    • In 2017, 46 officers were fatally shot in the line of duty, but more than triple that — 140 — committed suicide. A study from the Ruderman Family Foundation indicates that “Suicides left more police officers and firefighters dead last year than all line-of-duty deaths combined.”
  • Prayer for flourishing and integrity of our Workers & Business leaders for the good of our communities
    • American businesses are made up of people, and without a foundations of ethics and morals found in the Bible, we’ll continue to see people lie, cheat, steal, and oppress others.
    • Business also has the ability and talent to make significant contributions to the social welfare and economic flourishing of our country.
  • Prayer for compassion and assistance for our Poor, Vulnerable and Oppressed
    • The national spending on entitlement programs is about to experience a huge demographic shift and will run out of funding if reforms are not put in place. Christians can pray for and support organizations that provide assistance to those who slip through the safety net.

WE NEED TO PRAY AND ACT!

Christians are the answer to the prayers needs of our nation. That’s why Jesus sends us to make disciples.

  • Our keynote speaker, Dr. Joel Freeman served as mentor/chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards for 19 years (1979-’98). Although he was a Caucasian Canadian, he learned to relate to all the members of the team. Over the past decade, Joel has combined his entrepreneurial skills and love for history to conduct extensive research into African American history and culture. Dr. Joel Freeman is an in-demand speaker nationwide and brings a rich reservoir of personal experience blended with contagious enthusiasm, clarity and down to earth humor to empower people from diverse walks of life.
  • Joel’s keynote address will challenge us to put our prayers into action, following in Jesus’ steps by loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and minds, and our neighbor as ourselves. [Matt. 22:37-39]

Praying for America personally, in your church, and in a National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday, May 3, is a responsibility of each Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ. If you can’t join us in person, this video tool is a way to pray for our country. Use it personally between now and the National Day of Prayer. Use it in your church worship services before or after May 3. Use it in an observance of the National Day of Prayer.

2018 National Prayer For America from Cross Church on Vimeo.

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast – May 3, 2018

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The Christian community will join in prayer on Thursday, May 3, 2018, asking for God to provide unity to our country and peace to Montgomery County. As Christ’s ambassadors in Montgomery County, we ask for the power of God’s Spirit bring renewal and flourishing of Christ’s Kingdom into our homes, workplaces, and communities.

WHERE: The breakfast will be held at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (Lower Level Social Hall), 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851.
WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 2017, 6:30 to 8:00 AM (Program starts at 6:50 AM).
COST: Free, donation of any amount for breakfast accepted. (Any excess of funds over cost will be donated to a ministry in Montgomery County).

RSVP here: https://montctyprayerbreakfast2018.eventbrite.com

2018 Theme: #PRAY4UNITY

“Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

  • The present spiritual crisis in America is calling us to pray for and take all necessary actions to come together as a nation.
  • God is the only One who can bring unity, harmony, and oneness in America; therefore, we look only to Him in prayer.
  • We call upon God to empower us to make every effort to live in unity, call for unity, and forward unity in America continually.

Relying upon the centrality of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world, it is our conviction that God desires unity, peace and flourishing for our nation and communities:

“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14

  • Since each of us is made in the image of God, we each bear His image regardless of the color of our skin or the uniqueness of our ethnicity.
  • Through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, He has torn down the wall of division among all ethnicities and people.
  • In God alone, we unify and live in peace with one another; standing as one people against all racial and ethnic division, denouncing it as sin and not God’s will for us.

Specific prayers will be made for:

  • Prayer for unity under God in our nation and throughout the body of Christ
  • Prayer for the safety and well-being of our Families, Parents, Teachers and Students
  • Prayer for wisdom and courage for our Government Leaders and Public Servants; First responders and Veterans
  • Prayer for flourishing and integrity of our Workers & Business leaders for the good of our communities
  • Prayer for compassion and assistance for our Poor, Vulnerable and Oppressed

Keynote: DR. JOEL A. FREEMAN

Dr. Joel A. Freeman

“For 20 NBA seasons I served as player development mentor and character coach to the Washington Bullets/Wizards team. This experience gave me a unique inside perspective regarding team chemistry, leadership, stress, change management, cultural competency, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence and winning/losing at the pro level…”
For 19 years, Dr. Joel Freeman served as mentor/chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards for 19 years (1979-’98). This is where his interest in Black History was launched, and as a result of that experience he embarked upon extensive research into African American history and culture. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, citations, and honors. An example of one is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Share The Dream” Award, with Baltimore Mayor as keynote speaker and the Maryland Governor as another honoree at the oldest annual MLK awards dinner event (est. 1988) in the Baltimore/Washington region.

Over the past decade, Dr. Joel A. Freeman has combined his entrepreneurial skills and love for history to develop The Freeman Institute® Black History Collection. The collection is currently comprised of over 3,000 authentic documents and artifacts (oldest piece dated 1553) that communicate a story of creativity, inventiveness and perseverance. Joel is also the author of the DVD presentation, “A White Man’s Journey Into Black History,” and co-created (with Don Griffin), the award-winning book and film, Return To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man.

Dr. Joel Freeman is an in-demand speaker nationwide and brings a rich reservoir of personal experience blended with contagious enthusiasm, clarity and down to earth humor to empower people from diverse walks of life with improved communication skills and maximized productivity. “Dealing With People Who Drive You Crazy!“® is not only the brand for his company, but also is the title of the most requested seminar experience… with a book in the works. He is also the author of a host of books including “God is Not Fair“, “Living with Your Conscience without Going Crazy“, and “If Nobody Loves You, Create the Demand“.

Joel holds a Master of Science and a Ph.D. degrees in the field of counselling. He specializes in equipping individuals with the tools to create proactive, motivated personal and business environments. As a social entrepreneur, Freeman believes in doing good while doing well. Utilizing the multiplication principle, his whole purpose and motivation is to reach millions in this generation with win/win, high-impact, relevant resources and educational/inspirational projects that are multicultural-friendly, easy to duplicate, and are economically sustainable.

Joel Freeman Interviewed on his Black History Collection & the UN (2011 & 2012):

CBMC Presents: Donald Boyd – Work As Worship – Dec. 19th

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Work As Worship Retreat:

As business leaders, you may be facing many challenges in today’s culture. Every day you are being the church as you work and lead in the community. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who might not otherwise set foot in a church. In fact, some business leaders have more non-believers walk through their doors in one week than might visit a church in a year.

But it can be easy to lose sight of how our faith intersects with our role as a business leader. We’re excited to partner with First Baptist Rockville to be a launching pad to encourage and validate business leaders in your community.

Donald Boyd is Education Pastor at First Baptist Church of Rockville, where he’s responsible for ministering and overseeing Growth Groups (aka Sunday Schools), Small Groups and Education programs. Please join us this Tuesday, December 19, from 6:45-8:00 AM to hear Don provide a preview of the Work as Worship Retreat that First Baptist Rockville will hosting on February 23.

The Work as Worship Retreat will include speaking from some great teachers and business leaders. Pastor Matt Chandler will teach on the biblical perspective of work and what God expects of us. Joel Manby, CEO of Seaworld, will speak on the importance of servant leadership. Patrick Lencioni, the New York Times Best-Selling Author of books like 5 Dysfunctions of a Team will also be a keynote speaker. You can learn more at www.workasworshipretreat.org.

On February 23, join thousands of business leaders across the country for a full 1-day retreat to hear from experts, be encouraged, and discuss how to connect your faith and work. The simulcast of this event will be hosted locally by First Baptist Rockville. The event will start at 8:30 AM and conclude at 3:30 PM. Registration is only $25 online.

Work is Worship from Missional Marketing on Vimeo.

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast – May 4, 2017

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The Christian community met in unity to on May 4, 2017, joined together to pray for the flourishing to Montgomery County.  As Christ’s ambassadors in Montgomery County, we ask for the power of God’s Spirit bring the peace of Christ’s Kingdom into our homes, workplaces, and communities. Over 100 attendees gathered to pray at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, in Rockville Civic Center Park.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Specific prayers were requested for:

  • Unity in the body of Christ
  • Prayer for our Families, Parents, Teachers and Students
  • Prayer for our Government Leaders and Public Servants; First responders and Veterans
  • Prayer for our Workers & Business leaders
  • Prayer for our Poor, Vulnerable and Oppressed

Keynote:  KELLY WRIGHT, Fox News Channel


Kelly Wright has a message to change a nation, one heart at a time. He understands that true healing begins with faith, genuine transformation starts in the home, and our greatest hope will always be firmly rooted in our Lord.

Kelly Wright currently serves a co-anchor on America’s News Headquarters on Saturdays from 4-5 p.m. ET as well as an overnight breaking news anchor based in New York. Wright previously served as a co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend. Wright was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Sponsors at Morehouse College for his “Beyond the Dream” series. In April 2007, Wright secured Kelly Wright Portraitan exclusive sit-down with first lady Laura Bush where she responded to the Virginia Tech massacres, Katrina recovery and the president’s final term. Earlier in 2005, he reported from Tampa, Florida, on the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case.

In 2004, Wright spent nearly three months reporting on the developments in Iraq. He was among the first reporters to cover the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal and the subsequent court martial cases held in Baghdad. Wright also spent time embedded with U.S. and British troops, reporting on the military’s humanitarian efforts in Baghdad, Basrah and Mosul and provided coverage on U.S. forces training Iraqi security forces. Additionally, he reported on the historic U.S. handover of sovereignty to Iraq.

Before joining FNC, Wright served as co-anchor of News at Ten at WVBT-TV (FOX) in Norfolk, Va. During his tenure there, he covered a wide range of stories, including a historical event in Benin, West Africa, where African presidents Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, Jerrauld Rawlins of Ghana, and representatives from the United States, England, France and Dominican Republic apologized for their role in slavery.

Wright also served as a general assignment reporter for WWOR-TV (MyNetworkTV) in New York. He reported on numerous high profile newsmakers and events for the station, including John Gotti, Amy Fisher, the Howard Beach and Bensonhurst murder trials and the 1989 Central Park jogger rape case. He began his journalism career in 1977 while serving in the United States Army and has received numerous awards for his reporting, including two local Emmy Awards for his developing, reporting and co-producing a documentary and news series on the transatlantic slave trade.

Beyond his anchoring and reporting, Kelly is an ordained minister and Gospel Recording Artist. He encourages people through his passionate preaching good news in a bad news world. As a singer, he’s performed on programs featuring Shirley Caesar, Cissy Houston Jonathan Butler, the late James Brown, and more. He sings songs that motivate, inspire, and promote hope at a time filled with hopelessness.

In his book, America’s Hope, Kelly candidly discusses politics, racism, and the role of faith in a world that’s increasingly more cynical.  Kelly Wright shares his life story: how he was born out of wedlock, almost aborted, but now can declare how the Lord has blessed and turned around his life.

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast Sponsors:

 

Kelly Wright’s Beyond the Dream: Legacy Minded Men

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Kelly Wright PortraitKelly Wright of Fox News Channel will be the keynote speaker at the Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 4, the National Day of Prayer. Kelly was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Sponsors at Morehouse College for his “Beyond the Dream” series. Beyond The Dream is a continuing feature series that seeks to inspire people to live their best lives now. It focuses on ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions to society and culture.

In this video clip, Kelly Wright interviews a group of ‘Legacy Minded Men’ who reach out brother-to-brother to help men help their children.

This is a story that Kelly relates to: He was born in Hagerstown MD, and raised by a single mother. in addition to his reporting career, is an ordained minister and Gospel Recording Artist. He encourages people through his passionate preaching good news in a bad news world. In his book, America’s Hope, Kelly candidly discusses politics, racism, and the role of faith in a world that’s increasingly more cynical. Kelly’s life story is inspirational and he can now declare how the Lord has blessed and turned around his life.

Please join us to pray for the God to bless and bring flourishing to Montgomery County. The breakfast will be held at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (Lower Level Social Hall), 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851, on Thursday, May 5, 2017, 6:30 to 8:00 AM (Program starts at 6:50 AM). RSVP here: https://2017mocoprayerbreakfast.eventbrite.com

CBMC Presents: Uesin Kim, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

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CBMC has a vision to connect men in the marketplace with the next generation of leaders in order to carry out our mission of developing effective Ambassadors in the Marketplace to saturate the local marketplace with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  One of our strategies  is to develop relationships with campus ministry leaders so that the students under their care may be exposed to a ministry that will enable them to continue to equip and support students as they transition from college to the marketplace.

Please come and invite a friend to join us this Tuesday, January 17, to hear Uesin Kim, John Hopkins InterVarsity Christian Fellowship share how CBMC is helping reach and disciple university students make the transition to a career:

InterVaristy Chrsitian Fellowiship logoUesin Kim of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, at John Hopkins University, will share the vision and mission that God gave him to minister to the undergraduate students at JHU.  He is particularly called to reach the men on campus and has some ideas for us at CBMC to reach the Millennials. He is currently raising support so that he will be able to be on campus full time.

We’ll also be joined by Chuck Whitmore, Area Director for CBMC Maryland.  Chuck will share CBMC’s experience working with campus ministries.  Hear more from CBMC Maryland on their vision for bringing Christ to men in the marketplace here: http://www.voicesofbaltimore.org/cbmc/

Uesin Kim photoUesin Kim is the Campus Staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University and the Associate Pastor at Gallery Church SoWeBo (a multiethnic church in inner city southwest Baltimore). He is passionate about cross cultural relationships/ministry, racial reconciliation, and developing the next generation of Christians to build God’s kingdom here on earth. He lives in southwest Baltimore city with his beautiful wife Sara.

Hopkins Christian Fellowship (HCF) strives to be an inter-denominational, multi-ethnic community of students learning together what it means to follow Jesus at Hopkins and receive his abundant life.

HCF is a chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, whose vision is…

  • To see students and faculty transformed,
  • campuses renewed,
  • and world changers developed.

Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast held May 5, 2016

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“Seeking the peace and prosperity of the city.”

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

Hugh WelchelA Montgomery County Prayer Breakfast was held in Rockville Maryland on the National Day of Prayer, May 5, 2016. Executive Director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics (www.tifwe.org) Hugh Whelchel provided the keynote address. Hugh is the author of How Then Should We Work?: Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work. Hugh has a Master of Arts in Religion and brings over 30 years of diverse business experience to his leadership at IFWE.

The key phrase in this short passage from the book of Jeremiah provided the theme for our event — to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city.” The word used for peace is the Hebrew word shalom, which has a far more comprehensive meaning than the English word peace. In his book, “Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be”, Cornelius Plantinga explains shalom as:
…the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.

As follower’s of Jesus, we are called to pray for the shalom of Rockville and Montgomery County and to help ‘reweave’ shalom into our homes, workplaces, and communities by being Christ’s ambassadors. In order to accomplish this, we must understand the creator’s original objective in creation, which was to bring glory to himself. One of the ways we do this is by joining in the work of restoring God’s creation, because by doing so we bring him glory.

Agenda and participants in the Montgomery County Prayers:

Welcome and Introduction – Kelly Leonard, Nehemiah Project
  – Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Opening Prayer:
– Rev. Ben Wickner, Cross Community Church
Prayer for our arts, education and media leaders:
  – Nate Timm, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Prayer for our government leaders and public servants, first responders and veterans:
  – Catherine Matthews, Montgomery County Government
– Luther Reynolds, Montgomery County Police Department
Prayer for our families, church & business leaders
  – Carlos Duran, Hombres de Palabra
Keynote Address: “Seeking the peace and prosperity of the city.”
– Hugh Whelchel, IFWE
Closing Prayer:
– Rev. Tim Warner, Montgomery County Public Schools
Closing Remarks & Next Steps:
– Kelly Leonard

The Prayer Breakfast was held in the Social Hall at the Rockville Civic Center Park, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, in the heart of Rockville, Maryland.

Breakfast Sponsors:

• Career Confidence (www.career-confidence.org/)
• Christian Business Men’s Connection (md.cbmc.com & metrodc.cbmc.com)
• Cross Community Church of Rockville (www.cross-community.org)
• Dawn Crafton Dance Connection (www.dcdcdance.com)
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (mocomdfca.org)
• Incenta (www.incenta.net)
• Institute for Faith Work & Economics (www.tifwe.com)
• Pinnacle Forum (www.PinnacleForum.com)
• Nehemiah Project International Ministries (nehemiahproject.org)
• Santo Outreach Ministry (www.santooutreachministry.org)
• Special Olympics Montgomery County (www.somdmontgomery.org)