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THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE WORK
 The
ministry of Prayer City began in an unusual way on the last Wednesday of
November in 1994.
The covenant prayer partners Rev. Theodore Effiong and Rev. Ephraim
Effiong had an identical burden for the healing of the land, the spiritual
upliftment of the Efik people and a call for corporate repentance and prayer.
They set themselves apart in a remote village hut to fast and pray for thirty
days.
On return to Calabar, Rev. Theodore received a vision. He was in his
residence on the Marina when he saw people praying in the house. As all the
rooms filled up, they moved into the veranda then extended out into the
compound. As the numbers increased, a multitude of praying people spread out to
reach right down to the riverfront. His partner Ephraim had at the same time
received a similar revelation. Without delay, they decided to pray in the
parlour of the house on the following Wednesday.
On that day, twenty six people came without invitation or
announcement - with a mandate to pray. That was how the ministry started!
Numbers continuously increased, and men and women eventually came in
from over sixty denominations as the news spread like wildfire. Such was the
growth and momentum of prayer, that after two years a covered area seating over
six hundred people had been erected. The people called the place PRAYER
CITY, and soon questions were being asked, especially by the ministers and
leaders of local churches (including Assemblies of God!). Are these men starting
up a new church? What kind of fellowship is it? They gave a descriptive answer.
It is NOT a
church but a gathering of the body of Christ. It is a 'House
of Prayer for all Nations'. An intercessory body that ushers people into an
arena where they forget themselves for a while and intercede for the people. It
is also described as A Prayer School.
After years of intensive prayer, determined effort and sacrifice, the
ministry has been firmly established. They have overcome persecution, suspicion,
slander, many setbacks and disappointments. The Lord is faithful. The combined
body of Christ from areas all over the state and beyond - meet together
regularly to pray for the salvation and healing of the land. Great changes have
taken place through the past decade - as God is faithfully fulfilling the vision
and His end-time purposes in answer to prevailing prayer.
THE MINISTRY: THE MEMBERS, ASSOCIATES AND THE WORK FORCE
Every Wednesday, the prayer ministry programme runs from 9am to 5pm
and consists of worship, testimony time, teaching and preaching - with an
emphasis on prayer and intercession. People also meet to pray from 12 noon to
1pm from Monday to Friday. Guidance, counselling and deliverance sessions take
place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 Marina Road and in Rev. Ephraim's residence
at 9 Etoi Street by appointment. The numbers attending the days of prayer and
fasting vary from 800 to 1,500 plus - with an aggregate attendance of over five
to six thousand at conference meetings. Building extensions have been put up to
accommodate the swelling numbers.
SUPERVISION
 The
overseers of the work are the Co-ordinators Rev.
Ephraim Effiong, Pastor Mrs. Gift Ephraim Effiong, Rev. Theodore Effiong and
Pastor Mrs. Mary Theodore Effiong. Pastor John Ghevolor one of the directors has
also faithfully served the ministry since its inception.
Undergirding the ministry 24/7 prayer coverage is carried out by the
dedicated Prayer Squads. These are disciplined teams of men and women, most of
whom are resident in the compound. From these groups come the members of
committees, stewards, the drama team, technicians, musicians, choir members and
workers, ever ready to perform a variety of tasks. Each one is paid a nominal
monthly salary of £40 only. At times, even the payment goes into arrears!
Prayer City participants are also church members who pay their tithes
and offerings into their local churches. Unlike the established church, Prayer
Citys finances can only come in through offerings, gifts and a small amount of
covenanted giving by members (ie no tithes!). A good percentage of their income
(at times up to 50%) is sent out from UK through the Cross River Latter Rain
Mission, to help and encourage them.
The ongoing expense of the various evangelistic crusades is often
unaffordable. At times, cancellation has been the only option. More often than
not the dates of crusades have been fast-forwarded to a more opportune time. The
radio outreach has been the exception - For over ten years, the half-hour
Thursday morning programme 'Get to
the Altar' has run non-stop. This
is in part due to the magnanimous patience and appreciation of the Christian
studio staff and management at Cross River Radio Station. The influence and
importance of the powerful messages that go out is significant for three
reasons. Firstly for the vast area of coverage and accessibility to all and
sundry. Secondly, it gives an opportunity to the unreached thousands of people
in the interior and the remote villages in the bush to hear the gospel. Lastly,
for the eternal effect of salvation that has come to all who have responded to
the gospel and the call to prayer.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Prayer City is also now the Cross River State headquarters for the
Government launched "Chaplaincy
Program" wheremen & women are
trained as chaplains to military barracks, schools, hospitals, prisons and
Governors or Presidents lodgings. Note that without this qualification it is
impossible to gain entrance to minister at any of these venues. They also
minister as "peace keepers" in war torn areas. This is a recognised diploma
qualification requiring not less than 18 months intensive training for already
suitably qualified candidates. Those without the required minimum qualification
will take 3 years or more.
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