The Minister Cries
INTRODUCTION
The Minister Cries is our annual Minister's Prayer Retreat designed for ministers who seek effective, impactful ministry in this end time. It is a call for the minister to draw back into the closet to meet with God who holds the secrets of every life and ministry. It is our belief that should the minister obtain from God the secrets for the moment, the ministry will receive a transforming boost.
At every point, the minister is constantly busy interceding for members, preaching and showing pastoral care to the flock of God, but very few of the membership appreciate their responsibility of praying for the pastor and his family. Yet the risk of pastoral service is awesome, from the family to the pastor himself, odds are always many, “strike the shepherd”, says the enemy, “and the sheep will scatter”. This retreat affords the minister an annual opportunity to join force and voice with others to pray for himself and his family. We cannot over-emphasize the absolute necessity for earnest, sincere prayers to a result oriented ministerial life.
For enhancing, a ministerial planning that results from hearing God, The Prayer Retreat always holds towards the end of the year. Our budgets, projects, planning and programmes most of the times result from a mechanical process of comparison and competition tailored towards our perceived needs. We seem to professionally plan, and administratively implement things that do not come from the heart of God, but God who knows our real need for the season and who produces specific waves for each season should be listened to as we seek to evolve a plan for the coming year. It is for these and other reasons that we in conjunction with the Holy Ghost invite you to this Minister Retreat. It promises to be inspiring, informative, Intensive, and very, very Prophetic.
THEME
The Theme for this year's prayer retreat is Oh Lord, Enlarge my Borders”. Culled from Jabez’s encounter we come to pray for manifestation of God's rewarding faithfulness in our lives and ministry. We need a mighty manifestation of the favour of God upon our ministry and lives that will make us a reference point in life and the shock of the enemies of divine service. When this prayer is answered, men will be able to say that it pays t serve God. If you desire divine enlargement in this season, then come that together we shall raise a battle cry against limitations, postponed blessing and stagnation in our season of expected visitation.
VENUE
The retreat holds at iCORE Rural Resource Center, Ikot Ukang, Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Ika Local Government is a border town between Akwa Ibom and Abia State, and suits our prophetic move to speak to ourselves concerning enlargement from our present borders or limit, drawing inferences to spiritual things from such understanding. The location is serene, and suitable for real spiritual meditation. The location is chosen to seclude the pastor from his busy daily schedule and help him concentrate on spiritual issues. You can't afford to miss this encounter.
NATURE
The retreat is camping and devotional in nature. By camping we mean that no participating minister will be allowed to come in and out from his home. Once we are in there, we shall only be out at closing. By devotional is meant that no social and casual fraternity will be allowed during the retreat. Ministers are advised to use every available moment to pray, study the Bible or share insights. It is time on the mountain with God; every other thing can afford to wait till we come down.
DATE
The Retreat holds the first Sunday of every December. Participants are expected to arrive in the evening of Sunday for registration and opening formalities. The retreat takes the whole of Monday and ends midnight of Tuesday. Participants will return home on Wednesday morning.
REGISTRATION FEE
A token of One Thousand Naira (N1,000.00) only is collected as registration fee. Intending participants are requested to register in advance to enhance our preparation for them. On the spot registration will be accepted but we cannot guarantee availability of necessary provisions. To avoid complains, we advise early registration.
ACCOMMODATION AND FEEDING
Accommodation will be arranged in the camp for participants and feeding will be free only twice a day. Those who desire a complete fast during those days should indicate to help us plan the feeding. Note that we shall only feed based on the supply God makes available through our sponsors.
SPONSORSHIP
The Camp is sponsored through freewill offerings and donations from Christians and ministers who are interested in ministerial care, training and development. You are invited to join in sponsoring by donating in cash or in kind. You can enquire from our co-ordinators how you can be involved and God will bless you. (Donate Now).
