Pray Rowan started with a burden that God placed on Tonya Skelly’s heart for Rowan county in May of 2017 to have a city-wide prayer gathering. She was seeing that violence, racism, and drugs in her community was increasing. She knew Jesus is the answer-He is always the answer. Tonya felt like if believers would come together to pray in unity, God would hear our cries. In telling others, they too were burden for our community. Tonya and her husband Greg held breakfast in June. They invited all 7 mayors of Rowan county, key leadership in the Christian community, and a diversity of pastors. Tom Phillips from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was the keynote speaker. Tom spoke on revival. “Even a pinprick of light dispels darkness.”
The following month in July of 2017, Pray Rowan was formed with a committee of about 25 people. After 2 months of hard work, on October 7th of 2017 Pray Rowan had their first prayer gathering on the courthouse steps with about 500 people in attendance. God was showing us that this was not to be a one-time event but that we were to stay committed to gather monthly the first Saturday in different municipalities around the county. We are now in our 7th year. There are many in Rowan county who have never missed a Pray Rowan gathering. We have watched God move in many mighty ways. He has heard our prayers. The Lord has answered prayers in more ways than we could have asked or imagined. He has created relationships with people who look nothing alike. Rowan county keeps coming together month after month to praise our Lord, to petition Him, and to thank Him for what He is doing and for what He is about to do!
In November 2018, after having people from 4 different counties interested in starting a monthly prayer gathering as well, we have formed Pray Ecclesia, a 501c3. And then covid. Everything shutdown, especially the schools that we met in for over 2 years.
BUT GOD....
Grassroots Revial! In August of 2022 we held out first Pray North Carolina on the Raleigh Capitol steps.
October 14, 2023 Pray North Carolina will hold its second prayer gathering in Raleigh on the Capitol steps. People will be coming from all 100 counties in North Carolina.
May God grow this ministry BIGGER than we could have ever asked or imagined. May every county in our state and beyond hold monthly community prayer gatherings.
May we stay Kingdom focused, not turning to the left or the right, only in humble submission to His calling.
Mission Statement
Pray Ecclesia believes that revival in the Church, God's people & a spiritual awakening in the whole culture is essential – & that it is our only hope. We are a solemn assembly that gathers people from all ages, denominations, political affiliations & cultural backgrounds in prayer. We are Christians coming together to call upon Jesus, praying for our local churches and pastors, racial reconciliation, strong godly marriages, the unborn, our elected officials, first responders, our students & teachers & for revival. We pray against violence, drugs & racism in our community. John 17:21-23 Jesus prayed to God that believers would be one -in complete unity - because that is when the world will know that Jesus was sent. Therefore, we rely on the promise of II Chronicles 7:14 – & pray for a grass-roots movement of deep humility that is expressed in repentance and turning to holiness by God’s people.
OUR VISION
We pray that every county in our nation will see revival in Jesus Christ. A sustaining, life changing movement of God that unifies His children like never before. We pray that the veil is lifted for lost and they will confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord.
WHAT WE DO
Share what God has been and continues to do in counties throughout the state of NC.
OUR COMMUNITY
All are welcomed to join our peaceful assembly as we come together to pray in Jesus name, knowing the power of prayer, for revival in our communities across our state of NC.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 28:7