Branson Prayer March planned for October 15

By CINDY THOMAS, Staff Writer

It’s time to mark your calendar for the Branson Prayer March on Saturday, October 15. This annual gathering of the Body of Christ in Branson and the surrounding area is held the third Saturday of October annually, as an opportunity to unite and pray that God will turn this nation back to him.

Organizers want to remind the community that this march is NOT a protest; it is a time of focused prayer for our families, our communities, our state, and our nation. This is the most critical time for America that most of us can remember, so bring your family and invite your friends to call upon God in unity with others.

Marchers will gather at Walmart, 2206 W. 76 Country Blvd., for a 1 p.m. start and then proceed eastward with stops at the Apple Tree Mall, Branson United Methodist Church, Bob Evans Restaurant, First Presbyterian Church, and finally Branson City Hall. Marchers can participate in as many segments as they like, and those unable to march are invited to drive to each stop to join in the focused prayer. More information about the prayer focus and leader for each stop will be announced soon. As always, there will be shuttles provided for transportation back to personal vehicles left at the starting point or any stops on the route.

Coordinators again this year are Jay Scribner, who served many years as pastor at Branson’s First Baptist Church, and Gena Hedgpeth. This year, they would love to have more churches and ministries partner with the committee by sponsoring one of the stops; the sponsoring church would lead prayer for that stop and provide music, either by bringing a praise and worship team or having a sound system set up with recorded music playing, along with water available as walkers approach their stop. Sponsoring churches would also encourage their members to join the group for prayer at that stop or walk the segment before or after if they can’t do the entire march.

Hedgpeth said the team are also praying for more ambassadors from area churches; these ambassadors organize walkers from their church and encourage people to sign up. Also needed are people to hand out cards and flyers and share regularly on social media about the March. Also, Hedgpeth invites people who enjoy using social media to sign up to help take pictures and share prayer and music segments on Facebook Live during the event. This is a blessing to people who are physically unable to participate and want to join in prayer from their homes.

For more information, or to sign up to help, contact Jay Scribner at 417-294-2545 or Gena Hedgpeth at 636-357-8415. Information and updates, plus a sign-up form, are also available at www.bransonprayermarch.com or by email at BransonPrayerMarch@gmail. com. You’ll also find a T-shirt order form; get your shirt now to begin promoting the Prayer March and be ready for October 15.