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Greater Huntsville Pastors Prayer Summit (GHPPS) - Monthly Meeting

Greater Huntsville Pastors Prayer Summit

Special Note: Greater Huntsville Pastors Prayer Summit will be meeting in small group regional, and denominational cells in September and October. The next city-wide pastors prayer summit will be 11:30am Wednesday November 12th with a strategic focus on the Nation. More details to come!

Christian Community Assistance - ADOC Prison Release Program

Please see the following opportunity for churches to network and assist prisoners in community re-entry. Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has asked Asbury United Methodist Church, Madison to coordinate a network of churches that would help men as they are released from Limestone.


I believe Christian presence and involvement in our community, as “salt and light”, may provide us opportunities to demonstrate “the testimony of Jesus” in circles where it normally would not be seen.

For this reason, I’m excited to know that our state recognizes that churches do excellent ministry to people in times of need. The state is seeking how it might partner with “communities of faith” to better serve the people of our State.

Asbury United Methodist in Madison, has been organizing spiritual enrichment retreats, called “Kairos Weekend” at Limestone Correctional Facility (LCF). As a result, the Alabama Department of Corrections and LCF Chaplain Baggett have asked Asbury to form a committee, to find communities of faith who would assist prisoners in community re-entry.

This assistance and mentoring of prisoners when they have been released would follow their completion of a new Pre-release Education program of job skills training and voluntary character and religious training. ADOC is hopeful that these new programs may reduce recidivism (re-incarceration of former prisoners).

The attached letter from John Ryberg at Asbury UMC briefly explains the need for Christian community involvement
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In Christ’s name,
Philip T. List Jr

Asbury United Methodist Church • 980 Hughes Road • Madison, AL 35758
Phone (256)837-0365 • Fax (256)837-2802 • www.asburyumc.ws

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your interest in the Pre-release program at Limestone Correctional Facility. Hebrews 13:3 states, “Remember those who are in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them.” Asbury UMC has been invited to coordinate the network of churches that will help men as they are released from Limestone. As a participant your church can help in many ways, but specifically we are requesting the following:

  • First and foremost, receive the man into your congregation and support him through prayer and fellowship.
  • Develop a list of resources in your community such as food pantry, medical assistance, transportation, clothing, education, etc. anything a newly release man might need to establish himself in the community. When they are released they may have nothing.
  • Create a profile on the Alabama state sponsored network at www.alabamacprnetwork.com This is a social networking site for coordinating the communities and agencies who are participating in the pre-release program.
  • Volunteer to serve on the community network team. There are many positions available. It will take a lot of work to connect every man with a church upon his release.
  • Thanks again for your interest in the pre-release program. If you are interested in learning more, please contact: John Ryberg at Asbury United Methodist Church. Phone: 256-837-0365 ext. 232 or via email at john.ryberg@asburyumc.ws

    God Bless You.

    John Ryberg
    Associate Pastor/Community network team leader
    Asbury UMC

    Printable Letter (PDF)


    40 Days Facedown - Area Churches Uniting in Prayer for the Nation (9/24+)


    A city-wide steering team representing a cross-section of the Christian community has formed to help mobilize prayer for the nation leading up to the 2008 elections. Please see the following opportunity to join with others in the valley for 40 days of prayer for the nation!

    Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

    Our nation is at a another crossroads in American History. There is a national effort - Facedown 40 - to mobilize the Body of Christ to enter into a unified commitment to Fast and Pray for 40 days, prior to the Presidential election.

    In the Huntsville/Madison County area, the CHURCH is joining together in a corporate effort to cover these 40 days, Sept. 24-Nov. 2, 24/7, with prayer for our Nation.

    This mission cannot be accomplished with a handful of participants. We need you and your congregation to commit to this CRITICAL SEASON OF PRAYER for our Nation. Please contact us about which one or more of the 40 designated days your church could pray. A calendar posted here will list the dates and the churches/prayer groups covering our nation on that day. All the Christian community is invited to participate. Any church that does not feel they can adequately cover 24 hours may want to link with 2 or 3 others to more efficiently cover their “watch”. Material to guide your time of prayer is available.

    To register your Church as a participant AND to select your day(s) to provide prayer coverage, please contact Sammie Laster – H 830-2590, Cell – 683-3712 or e-mail at ljlaster@arilion.com .

    We praise Our Lord for the commitment of intercessors and prayer warriors in our city. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!

    Huntsville “Facedown 40” Steering Committee
    Valley Fellowship – Pastor Carol Simon, Sammie Laster & Dene Finley
    Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church – Nettie Pruitt & Gloria Smith
    Grace Lutheran Church – Anne Cox
    First Presbyterian Church – Judy Howard
    Faith Chapel – Sadie Presley
    The Rock Family Worship Center – Rita Sutton & Shirley Schwarze
    The Dwelling Place – Pastor Patrick Penn

    Greater Huntsville Facedown40


    If you would prefer not to receive area-wide Prayer Summit reminders, please send the email address to remove to info@PrayerSummit.org. THANKS!