1 Church Metro Denver serves DNC with water, sunscreen, prayer Community service, personal impact on the agenda.

Denver, Colo. -- Throughout four days of the Democratic National Committee Convention, a loose affiliation of more than 60 metro-area churches banded together to offer water, sunscreen and prayer in downtown Denver. Under the banner "1 Church Metro Denver," thousands were served from Creek Front Park, located at Speer Boulevard and Larimer Street.

"It would have been a shame to miss this opportunity to serve and bless people," said Steve Van Diest, chairman of 1 Church Metro Denver. "We consider it a privilege to serve the city of Denver, the DNC delegates, the media, activists, public safety officers, vendors, and those who live and work downtown. It's important to demonstrate the Good News of Jesus Christ that we believe in so strongly."

Early estimates reflect the numerical results of the effort:

• 600 gallons of water served (roughly 10,000 servings of water)
• 4.5 gallons of sunscreen
• 1,200 pounds of ice
• 48 hours of live praise and worship music throughout four days
• 400 pounds of trash collected
• 300 volunteers (including set up, tear down, prayer, trash collection, water distribution, musicians)
• More than 600 hours of prayer

Pastor Reece Bowling, whose Orchard Road Christian Center had the foresight to apply for the park permit months ago, describes his encounters. "I met reporters from Italy and Canada, and delegates from Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. I met gay rights activists, environmental activists, politicians, union organizers, district attorneys, and people there for the 'show.' Several asked that we pray for them and their families."

Pastor George Morrison, pastor of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, said the effort was a perfect example of the city-wide church working together. "Every church brought something to the table, and a small idea of a presence during the DNC turned into something really significant," said Morrison.

Creek Front Park, an idyllic spot at the intersection of bicycle and walking paths, was an oasis of calm in an otherwise frantic downtown. From 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local churches provided praise and worship music and public prayers. Andy Millar, pastor of Light of the Nations Church in Denver said public prayers fit the tone of the location. "Praying is requesting, asking for help and blessing. It is asking God to do what we cannot do and what He already wants to do, knowing that He is listening, and opening our hearts to the answers He is giving."

What next for 1 Church Metro Denver? "We don't know," said Van Diest, "but we're looking forward to more cooperative ministry in the future."

The mission of 1 Church Metro Denver is to mobilize Christian volunteers for prayer and humble acts of service, in order to be a tangible blessing and credible witness for Jesus Christ to the community.

The theme verse comes from the prophet Micah 6:8:
"He has showed you, o man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

1 Church Metro Denver is administered through Confluence Ministries, a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization based in Denver, Colo.

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For interviews and background, contact Steve... e-mail him here.
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Vision - Micah 6:8
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

Mission - PRAY, SERVE, and BLESS!

The mission of One Church Metro Denver is to mobilize Christian volunteers for prayer and humble acts of service, in order to be a tangible blessing and credible witness for Jesus Christ to the community.

Why unite the churches together to serve and to pray and to bless? Hmmmmm....Because that's what Jesus would call the churches to do. When the political climate is so heated in the United States, the church should not add to the strife and confusion. The core group of churches leading One Church Metro Denver believes that when the prophet Micah states "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly" the Church should take what he said seriously and respond in an attitude and posture of service.