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Morelocks and Coverts make a “pilgrimage of prayer.”
by Mervyn Morelock, Lt. Colonel –
Western Territory officers Majors Ed and Dorothy Covert and Lt. Cols. Mervyn and Shirley Morelock were invited by Nigeria Territorial Commander Commissioner Jean Ludiazo to conduct a “Pilgrimage of Prayer” seminar in Lagos for the leaders of the 20 divisions, districts, and sections of the territory. They recently returned and Lt. Col. Mervyn Morelock shared the following.
We arrived in humid and rainy Lagos, a city of 12 million people, ready to provide resources and instruction on the power of prayer.
Eighty-four officers and laymen divisional, sectional and district leaders, and THQ staff attended the two-day prayer seminar. The goal was to provide these leaders with the materials and resources necessary to use the prayer seminar in their own regions. Each leader received books, pamphlets, CDs and lecture manuscripts.
The seminar was divided into 10 segments, all focusing on prayer. Sessions included defining prayer, exploring types of prayer, and learning how to more effectively pray. Everything contributed to a memorable experience—the teaching segments, singing, group prayer, and devotional presentations. Finally, attendees divided into small groups to pray for a specific topic including prayer for the worldwide church, the worldwide Army, revival in America, and for brothers and sisters in Christ.
Army life in Nigeria
In the days following the seminar, the Coverts, Shirley and I participated in other Army ministries in the area.
We attended the Sunday holiness meeting and especially enjoyed the junior singing company of 3- and 4-year-olds. Major Ed Covert gave the message and seekers lined the altar.
We spoke at the self-denial ingathering and heard how this territory increased their giving to world services, even though international headquarters largely supports the territory. To take offering, they rolled out two huge wooden chests with openings at the top. The band played and row-by-row everyone came forward dancing to bring his or her offering.
We visited the Lagos Central Corps and small medical clinic, dedicated in 1926.
At the divisional leaders’ councils, we spoke on the requested topics of leadership, accountability, personal relations, and fundraising.
We visited a primary school, started by Commissioner Veronique Ludiazo, territorial president of women’s ministries. It grew by word-of-mouth from four kids to 62 children, infants to 11-years-old.
We also stopped by the small trade department that sells fruits and vegetables to passersby; officers at the THQ compound and training school maintain the gardens.
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