Commissioners call for

prayer for Clark County

  
    VANCOUVER, Wash. — At the urging of local pastors and ministries, Clark County commissioners last month officially called county residents to a time of prayer regarding the challenges facing the local community.
    On Feb. 1 Commissioners Tom Mielke, Marc Boldt and Steve Stuart proclaimed Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 19 and 20, as a weekend of countywide reflection and prayer. Dennis Fuqua, Vancouver resident and executive director at International Renewal Ministries, longtime coordinator of prayer summits in the region, said the proclamation is a result of talks he and Boldt had about prayer for Clark County. “He has asked me to help rally more prayer for it,” said Fuqua.
     Last fall The Oregonian reported the county had lost more than 8,000 jobs in the current recession . At the start of 2011, the jobless rate was more than 13 percent.
     In recent discussions with Fuqua, pastors of several church congregations also advocated for more prayer on behalf of the county. He told them about his conversations with Boldt and the possibility of a special evening prayer event in mid-February was discussed.
     Fuqua soon learned that Boldt had convinced the other commissioners to issue a formal proclamation that would get the attention of local churches.
    The proclamation acknowledged that “harsh economic conditions” in the county have “caused great pain and suffering.” It states that in such challenging times “it is appropriate that we pause to promote good will and unity throughout our community.”
     The proclamation also encouraged citizens “to contribute to and engage in actions and deeds that will enhance hope, promote benevolence, demonstrate compassion and hearten unity throughout the county.”