Many of America’s top Christian leaders, representing a variety of races, ages and denominations, will convene in the Dallas area Sept. 21 for The Gathering, a national solemn assembly to pray for forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our country.
The Gathering will be held at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, with an afternoon session for leaders beginning at noon CT. The national prayer event open to the public will begin at 7 p.m. Both events will be simulcast around the country.
Dr. Tony Evans, chief organizer of The Gathering, said the Bible calls for a solemn assembly with fasting and prayer when God’s people have grown away from Him and want to renew their relationship.
Although the event will be held less than two months before the presidential election, organizers said there will be no overriding political agenda.
“God doesn’t ride on the backs of donkeys or elephants,” said Dr. Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas and president of The Urban Alternative. “Christians cannot be so entrenched within political parties that we are not free to speak the truth to those in power. The church should be the conscience of the government, clearly and respectfully holding political leadership accountable for following God’s principles.”
The organizers of The Gathering said there is a spiritual solution to national issues involving race, the family, immigration, government and many other topics.
“We need to repent, come back to God, and put our trust in God alone,” said Dr. Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the organizers. “America needs a great spiritual awakening.”
Other platform guests will include:
- Dr. Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals;
- Kay Arthur, co-founder of Precept Ministries International;
- Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia;
- Bishop Harry Jackson, chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition;
- John Jenkins, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland;
- Dr. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary;
- Greg Laurie, evangelist and leader of the Harvest Crusades;
- Anne Graham Lotz, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force;
- Max Lucado, acclaimed preacher and best-selling author;
- Robert Morris, senior pastor of Gateway Church;
- James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International; and
- Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.
Although the list is populated by some of the most prominent evangelicals in this country, they are uniting in a cause bigger than any individual. The event’s website states, “No offering will be received. No books will be sold. No personalities will be promoted.”
Instead, The Gathering will focus on praying for change in four areas—personal, family, communities and the nation—because widespread transformation must begin in the heart and home.
