Jose R. Alarcón – Aurora, Colorado … The Aurora First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Aurora, Colorado, went to it again providing a praying shelter for the community. On April 26, they celebrated their second consecutive drive-thru prayer event of the year.

As in other past events, many cars full of people with needs came in to be served. This time, however, even people walking down the street came in to be prayed for.

“In God’s love, the church is reaching out to bless the community. Timothy stated, First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people (1 Timothy 2:1 NAS). The many who came indeed needed heavenly help. One person came searching for peace of mind, while others came due to the recent loss of family,” commented Jose Alarcón, lead pastor at Aurora First Church. “It is surprising to see the reaction of those who enter our parking lot and the response of passersby who honk, acknowledging the youth holding the cardboard signs and our event.”

The biggest surprise of the event came, however, on April 19. After two and a half years of witnessing what we have done with this event, the neighboring church, Village East Baptist Church, conducted their own drive-thru prayer the week before. Aurora First Church members were astonished to see the neighboring church imitate what we have been doing.

“Aurora First members reacted with a huge AMEN knowing that the community has been impacted more than we thought,” Alarcón reflected. “Like the Samaritan woman who was able to witness, so have the Aurora First [members]. John stated, Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.’ (John 4:39 NAS).”

“Our primary responsibility as Christian Seventh-day Adventists is to share what Jesus has done and is doing on our behalf,” he continued. “The fact that a non-Adventist church could replicate what we are doing at Aurora gives me hope that other Adventist churches here in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) would also replicate.”

Aurora First Church’s treasurer and elder Daniel Camacho noted, “The Holy Spirit is awakening the hearts and minds of church members to fulfill the commission of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20). This ministry is a favorite of the church members because it has significantly impacted the community, while not adding significant pressure on any member. This ministry is a great training ground for church members to gain experience and confidence in working with the Holy Spirit and fellow members to reach the community in various ways.”

“Therefore,” Alarcón urges, “I appeal to other RMC churches to get on board with community-oriented events such as this. If other non-Adventist churches imitate what we are doing, other Seventh-day Adventist churches can also replicate the good things that impact the community. We are already looking forward to our next event on May 31. If you are interested and available, join us for this event to see firsthand how easy and rewarding it is to reach the community in such a way.”

—Jose R. Alarcón is the lead pastor at the Aurora First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied by Jose R. Alarcón.