SBC Exec Comm to host online prayer gathering on Good Friday

What: A time of focused prayer amid the global COVID-19 pandemic

When: 12 p.m. CDT, April 10

Where: sbc.net/pray and the SBC Executive Committee Facebook page

NASHVILLE (BP) — As Southern Baptists navigate the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic, Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, has called for a special time of prayer.

The SBC Good Friday Online Prayer Gathering will take place at 12 p.m. CDT April 10. While plans are still being finalized, led by Floyd and other leaders from across the SBC, the event will be livestreamed at sbc.net/pray and on the SBC Executive Committee’s Facebook page.

The format will include times of Scripture reading and focused prayer to address specific needs related to the pandemic, according to Floyd, who is inviting and encouraging all Southern Baptists to participate.

“We have never been here before,” Floyd said. “Our prayers need to match these challenges. Gather friends and families everywhere and let’s talk to God about where we are. We need God to intervene miraculously. Together we must pray and be on mission with God.”

Floyd said the timing is critical. As the pandemic has prompted great uncertainty and anxiety throughout the United States and the entire world, Easter weekend provides an extraordinary opportunity to share the Gospel.

“We believe the work of our Southern Baptist churches across America, as well as what we do together across the entire world, provides a great footprint of God’s work throughout the regions and states in America and across the globe,” Floyd said. “Instead of coming together to hear someone preach or sing, we are coming together to pray in this major crisis as we face Easter weekend with hope.”

The full list of participants joining the Floyds for the event include:

— Julio Arriola, executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization for the SBC Executive Committee

— Marshal Ausbery, SBC first vice president and senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Va.

— Jacob Boss, overseas worker in Europe

— Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board

— Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board

— Donna Gaines, pastor’s wife and founder and president of ARISE2Read in Memphis, Tenn.

— Steve Gaines, senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., and former SBC president

— J.D. Greear, SBC president and lead pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, N.C.

— Jeremiah Lepasana, lead pastor of Bible Church International in Randolph, N.J.

— Marci Parrott, pastor’s wife and CEO of Ruby & Root in Huntersville, N.C.

— Ronnie Parrott, lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Huntersville, N.C.

— Heiden Ratner, senior pastor of WALK Church in Las Vegas.

“We have never been here before,” Floyd said. “Our prayers need to match these challenges. Gather friends and families everywhere and let’s talk to God about where we are. We need God to intervene miraculously. Together we must pray and be on mission with God.”