KALEO: Alabama ’09 Bathed in Prayer
By Donald King
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| Students answering God’s call to ministry worshipping at KALEO: Alabama ’09. |
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| KALEO faculty pray a prayer of blessing over students answering God’s call to ministry at KALEO: Alabama ’09. |
The eighth KALEO event had an advantage over the previous seven, the daily prayers of believers lifting up KALEO: Alabama ’09 before the Lord. God’s blessing was upon the event, not because of the planning, the attendance, or even those on the program, but because He answered the prayers that had been prayed.
Donald King, director of KALEO conferences, asked KALEO faculty, staff, volunteers and supports of the event to pray for specific elements of the event during the 10 days leading up to the conference and during the two days the conference took place. The message, the faculty, travel, participants, and the post-KALEO follow-up were all bathed in prayer.
KALEO staff and volunteers knew they were in for something exciting when they arrived in Birmingham on the Wednesday evening prior to the event. After being in town for less than two hours, they encountered a teenager who had run away from home earlier that morning. This became a divine encounter as these faithful Christians became the arms of Christ, demonstrating love and compassion, leading him to find safety from an abusive home and overwhelming pressure from school.
This demonstration of Christ’s love affected more than the teenager. It served as a witness to at least five others who either witnessed the Christ-like compassion or played a role in the drama that played out that evening. It was the beginning of a very promising event as NAMB staff and volunteers found themselves on the North American mission field, face-to-face with a lost and hopeless world.
In the ten days leading up to the conference, registration grew by more than 100 participants, eventually reaching a final registration count of 679. With every seat filled, some having to stand along the walls or sitting on the floor, those whom God was calling out to serve in ministry leadership roles were taught scriptural truth and given clarity in their calling.
Some had their calling confirmed. Others realized they were trying to answer a call God had not extended. Others found encouragement and support from seasoned, experienced ministry leaders who spoke about their own spiritual pilgrimage. All acknowledged there was much work to do and that God’s plan for reconciling the world to Himself included all believers.
KALEO faculty spoke with boldness and clarity. Participants listened intently and expectantly. Both left the conference with a better understanding of God’s work in their lives.
One of the faculty commented after the event, “I was so blessed to be a part of this team. The opportunity to prepare through daily prayer emails was priceless. I was so prayed up and ready by the time I got there. As a person who speaks weekly, I can always tell the groups who are prayed up and ready. God is always waiting excitedly to pour out what they have already requested and expected. I know you guys are people of prayer and that is why God's anointing is on your ministry.”
KALEO was a success because emerging leaders had their calling clarified. Prayer warriors paved the way for God to solidify a work He had already begun. The future pastors in our pulpits, educators in our Baptist colleges and seminaries, ministers in our churches and missionaries in North America and around the world were bathed in prayer and commissioned to fulfill their calling and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
For more information on KALEO conferences, visit www.KALEOConference.com.
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