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St. Pete Churches Ready To Take 'Gospel To The Streets'

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By RAY REYES of The Tampa Tribune and KATY HENNIG of News Channel 8

Published: August 24, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Forty-nine pastors gathered Sunday night for a prayer service that they say will spread awareness and prepare their congregations and residents for one of the largest revivals in the city's history.

"It's a historic moment," said the Rev. Joe Vankoevering, the pastor of Gateway Christian Church. "In my 40 years in this city, I haven't seen this before."

The service, held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 955 20th St. S., is part of a series of events to prepare 49 St. Petersburg churches for a weeklong revival in September.

The revivals, called the "Seven x 7 movement," will feature seven simultaneous revivals in seven targeted sectors of South St. Petersburg for seven consecutive nights, from Sept. 7-13.

The pastors lead a congregation of more than 500 people in prayer and hymns Sunday. Sunday's service and the seven revivals are open to all denominations.

"This event is so important," said Ellis Hodge, pastor of Lord of Life Fellowship Church. "It crosses color barriers, denominations and neighborhood barriers."

Hodge said he and fellow pastors are committed to "do whatever it takes to lift the spirit of despair that's over" St. Petersburg.

"When people have no hope, they tend to get into violent crime, they tend to get into drugs," Hodge said. "This is bringing hope. You can do better. There's a better way of living. There's a better lifestyle to be had."

Louis Murphy of Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church said Sunday's service jump-starts the 49 churches' goal of "taking the gospel to the streets."

"We're reaching out to those that are lost," he said.

For information on the upcoming revivals, visit www.sevenx7.com.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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