Denver Churches United for Prayer, Worship Outside DNC

Rather than protesting hot-button issues, an interdenominational church coalition opted to serve Democratic delegates.

During this year's Democratic National Convention Aug. 28-28 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, the most coveted protest location was not being used by anti-war activists but by more than 60 area churches that prayed, served and worshiped together outside center.

Leaders of One Church Metro Denver said they could enact more change during the DNC through prayer than protest.

"[We wanted to] make people aware that prayer changes things. Change just doesn't happen, so we believe in prayer," said George Morrison, pastor of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colo.

Starting the day before the convention, more than 300 volunteers from an array of denominational backgrounds hosted 24/7 intercession in an office building across from the DNC, participated in prayer walks throughout the area and held corporate prayer and worship in Creek Front Park, the only public entrance to the convention center.

The group insists that their goal was not to support a specific issue or party but to show the love of Christ through service. Steve Chavis, a spokesman for the group of loosely affiliated Denver churches, said those involved in the effort were not "endorsing" a candidate but attempting to bless the delegates, the activists and the downtown residents of Denver.

The idea for the outreach was sparked when Reece Bowling, senior pastor of Orchard Road Christian Center in Greenwood Village, Colo., noticed that churches seemed to be missing from discussions about the upcoming convention. He said he felt "inspired" to enter his name in a lottery being held to determine who would secure protest locations.

"I wasn't seeing anything about what we were doing, from a faith community standpoint, to reach out to the delegates that were coming in for the convention," Bowling said. "We felt we had a message of hope, and we believe God wants good for America. The love of Jesus will break down barriers. The nation is very divided now, and we feel the church needs to take a leadership role."

"We could not have gotten a better park," he said of the location allotted to the group. He said they could see the Pepsi Center from their location.

High security measures were enacted at the DNC, and Creek Front Park—a half-mile from the center--was the closest drop-off point for bikes, trains and cars.

Steve Van Diest, chairman of One Metro Church Denver, said the goal was to show delegates and protestors alike a different side of Christianity, one that highlights service and love. Their efforts were based on Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" From 9 a.m. until after the DNC events ended, volunteers distributed pocket maps, sunscreen and free water, and picked up trash in the area.

Worship services were held every two hours, with 45 separate worship bands leading the ministry times. Van Diest said even the police acknowledged the impact.

He said one officer told him: "'Thank you so much. Your music every day has gotten me through my 12-hour shift. Your worship band, your music and lyrics just carried me through.'"

During the worship services, participants prayed over a PA system for the delegates, the city of Denver and the upcoming election.

One Metro Church leaders believe their outreach last week was the best way they could share the message of Christ during the convention.

"We feel that there is a presence for the church in community leadership that entails not necessarily advocacy but servant evangelism and showing that side of Christ," Bowling said. "We're not against advocacy—we're certainly not against promoting issues that we feel are consistent with Christian message. But the Christian message is not about issues, it's about loving people the way Christ teaches us to love people.”

The convention ended Thursday night at Denver's Invesco Field, where Sen. Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president. — Felicia Mann