Staff dedicates prayer room in BSC offices

From staff reports

Baptist State Convention prayer team leader Chris Schofield welcomes visitors to the prayer room at the BSC building in Cary.

Photo by Norman Jameson

Biblical Recorder

In what he called "a significant day in the life of this Convention," Milton A. Hollifield Jr. led a dedication service May 14 for a prayer room in the Baptist State Convention office building in Cary.

"People who practice the discipline of prayer have more power with God and more power with people because of the power of God in their lives," said Hollifield, BSC executive director-treasurer.

Visitors will find the prayer room immediately to their left as they enter the lobby. Warmly furnished and with subdued lighting it includes a computer connected to www.praync.org to inform participants of updated prayers in four major areas; a scrolling flat screen on the wall with prayer requests updated daily, including names of lost people submitted by friends; cards on which to send notes to those you've prayed for and cards on which to request prayers.

A stained glass window contains the earliest Christian symbol of a fish and admits a warm glow of light into the room. Comfortable chairs are available, as is an altar for kneeling.

"Think of it as God's room, a place to go and do business with God," Hollifield told staff.

Translucent glass on the entry doors is etched with words from Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to Me ... and I will answer."

BSC board of directors member Will Hartley enabled both the prayer room and a significant remodeling of administration offices at a price "greatly reduced" from his normal fees, Hollifield said. Hartley, from North Wilkesboro, owns several businesses related to cabinet making and other wood product manufacturing.

Hollifield recalled a visit from Asian church development consultant Sei Hun Kim in 1993 shortly after Hollifield joined the BSC staff in evangelism. Kim prayed with Hollifield and expressed his desire for "God to start a movement of prayer in our Convention."

Kim said he wanted a room set aside in the building dedicated to prayer. He was unable to attend the dedication due to a health issue.

Hollifield praised the statewide work of Chris Schofield, team leader in the office of prayer, and said, "Under Chris's influence, we're becoming more a people of prayer."

Schofield produced a video tour of the prayer room explaining its various features and prayer prompts. He reminded his fellow staff members at the dedication that all the prompts and technology in the room are to enable those in prayer to be specific and kingdom focused.

Visitors are welcome during regular operating hours.