Wow, when we were planning the "7 Essentials" Seminar this year we were not sure what to expect. From the first service there was a feeling of anticipation and purpose. We knew that God was planning to meet with us and He did. A special thanks to all of you who made praying for this event a priority - we had a wonderful time!

Sixty-four people from thirteen States, two Canadian provinces, and the continent of Africa gathered together and shared in instruction, ministry time, and encounters with God. There were many Holy Spirit interruptions that lead to times of ministry and confirmation. This was one of our goals - not only to train, but to experience the living God.

Thursday evening members of GLOW and the New Life Center Kids Worship Team helped introduce worship which is the first Essential. The worship team taught two action songs. After worship Lisa Marshall did a wonderful job inspiring all of us to Pass the Mantel of Prayer just as Elijah passed his mantel to Elisha.

During the day Friday we learned Essentials 2-4 and 6. We were blessed to have Vickie Simonueax, a missionary to Africa, with us at the seminar. She really helped when we spoke about Kingdom praying and taught us how to pray with kids in the altar.

Friday evening began with worship, which was again led by the team from New Life Center. The team led in two different action songs. GLOW ministered with a prophetic song for Communist countries, "Praise Him Til the Walls Fall".

The message Friday night was actually a time of instruction and prayer. With the help of the Shekinah Kids and the worship team we went through the 8 Steps for Group Intercession. As we learned about each step we put them into action. During the final two steps we felt God leading us to pray for the Middle East. This led to several times of group intercession for the Middle East, Bangladesh and Israel. Several people in attendance had people or groups from their church that were currently in Israel or getting ready to leave for Israel. God also showed that we should pray for families and in response to that we prayed for a Bible school student who was present whose father is currently serving in Iraq. The next day diplomats arrived in Turkey to speak against going to war with Iraq and the nation of Pakistan declared emergency rule. Last week the country of Bangladesh suffered major losses from a cyclone approximately two weeks after prayer went forth for them. All of these things have happened in the past two weeks. Some people may say it is a coincidence but I believe God had an assignment for us.

Saturday started bright and early. A former Shekinah Kid came and spoke about Scripture praying. There was also a panel discussion to answer any questions that had come to mind during the seminar. The morning ended with discussion about how to take this back to our churches and cities.

As this group of people goes back to their homes please pray that God will open doors of opportunity to share what they have learned not only with their families and churches but the community around them. This generation is hungry for a real encounter with God and we have the tools to reach them.

Following are some of the quotes people who attended shared with us:
 

• "I loved the focus on Kingdom praying! Having Sister Simoneaux was an added treat!"
• "I have been to a lot of seminars, this was so great - on the top of my list."
• "It was a tremendously rewarding meeting. I left a different person than I came."
• "Kids are going to be the powerhouse prayer warriors of this generation and the next."
• "I'm so impressed. This was wonderful. I have not received so much pertinent info in a seminar for years."
• "Wow, I don't even know what to say. This conference was wonderful!!!!"
• "Without a doubt, Kids Prayer is going to explode!"
• I have been truly blessed with teachings, materials and a new vision for God's children.

Below are just a few follow-up reports I have received since the seminar. 

• Our pastor's wife started a kids prayer ministry a year ago. I started searching for ideas and came across "The 7 Steps." When it was my turn (once every 3 months), I used activities to engage the children. They loved it, yet I was not able to progress them beyond their complacent state. My pastor's wife felt like it was time for a change. I chose to attend the conference to get more ideas. The entire time I was at the conference, I had visions of what our children could do as a result of being trained in prayer. Yet, I felt like I was not the one to lead them. But if not me, then who? This question weighed on me all weekend at the conference. When I got home, a new girl in our church approached our pastor's wife about being involved in some kind of children's ministry. She was told about the children's prayer ministry and agreed to do it. She is the perfect person!! We are so excited!!  We are still working out the details, but for now she will begin working with the kids 30 minutes a week. In January, we plan to expand the ministry and train the parents to be  involved. 
• Just wanted to thank you for the seminar - I wasn't there - but our kid's team came back so pumped! The team leader was really impressed and so excited about what went on and what they learned. Our church is in a time of revival - general revival- prayer, fasting, relationship, commitment and outreach. This was the perfect time for this to happen. Last Sunday, a group of our young girls came down front during worship and formed a circle on the floor where they prayed and ministered to one another. They felt like it was a confirmation of what God is about to do.
• Of those in our group that attended, we didn't realize it until today, but God confirmed the same miracle to both of us during last weekend. We learned of a little boy in our church who had a dream that he was praying for two disabled people in our church and God healed both of them. Unbeknownst to either of us who attended the seminar, when we were listening to God on Friday, a young mother in our group, drew a picture of the same miracle taking place. At some point during that weekend, I had a vision. Although I didn't recognize the child praying for the two disabled individuals in our church, I saw both of them get up out of their wheelchairs. It was after we returned that we learned of this little boy's dream. This just shows us how God really does speak with us and we hear Him when we listen. I have been asked to lead this ministry at our church and certainly, I am honored. 
• Sunday night three of the kids prayer boys completely led the way into  worship. They were worshipping over in the Kids Corner, or the TUTBTLC, as the girls call it (The Used To Be The Ladies Corner), worshipping so loudly it was apparently the only thing that people were hearing over on the other side of the church. Things broke and God completely moved as the kids continued to lead the worship! It was the most powerful and amazing thing I have ever been around ... people are still commenting on it! God Is Good All The Time!