S. I. G. Alert!
Will You Stand In the Gap with the Long Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association?
People who drive in California know about SIG alerts. Named after the concept’s author, Loyd C. “Sig” Sigmon, they are used for “any unplanned event that causes the closing of one lane of traffic for 30 minutes or more.” SIG alerts are used to warn the driving public so that they can avoid the specific area. But there are other people who will not avoid the location. In fact, they will get to the place ASAP to meet the needs of that alert--police and emergency personnel.
The Bible also contains a SIG alert, one in which God looks for people to stand in the gap, and pray as intercessors for the crucial need there. Ezekiel 22:30-31 says, “And I looked for a man to build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. Therefore I have poured out mine indignation upon them; their own way I have brought on their heads, says the Lord.” (italics added)God wanted to be merciful to the nation of Israel, and looked for one man to pray for them, so He would not have to, in justice, punish them for their sins. But none could be found, so He sent the Babylonians, destroyed them, and sent the remnant into captivity.
From two hills, Signal Hill Park and Friendship County Park, we can see 26 cities who have 2.4 million residents. In addition, we can see two international seaports, the Long Beach and Los Angeles Seaports, into which a half million crewmen come each year. We also see places where about 600,000 vacationers, international students and business people, and others visit annually (E.g., Long Beach Grand Prix and Long Beach Gay Pride Festival). We estimate 90-95% of these 3.5 million people are lost. They die at a rate of 14,250 a year in these 26 cities--about 39 a day.
That’s about 37 lost and two saved people a day.
But God wants them all to come to repentance, as 2 Peter 3:9 states.
Will YOU Stand In the Gap for these lost people? Will YOU Stand In the Gap with us, the churches of the Long Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association?
We are not asking for money. We are asking for intercessors--Christians who will plead with our heavenly Father for the lost souls of our cities. If we pray, the Lord of the harvest will provide all the laborers and funds necessary to reach them with the Gospel.
Will YOU agree to pray for them and for us, for us to be empowered by our Lord Jesus to effectively reach them with His Gospel? Will YOU pray DAILY for them and for us?
If you will, please send us your name, and email address or mailing address, and we will send to you each weekday or week specific prayer requests that need intercession. Thank you! --Walter Carter, Interim Director of Missions
Long Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association www.lbhchurchimpact.net
