Testimony: Since the first weekend in Sept 2015, we have been Prayerwalking downtown Portland every Saturday morning from 7-9am (& whoever shows, afterwards, I buy them breakfast). We have about 25 to 30 folks that have come from time to time, wherein an average of about 8 to 12 believers show up each Saturday (rain or shine, snow or bitter cold) and for 3 years, it has only rained on us just a little sprinkle 2 times (& we believe that God was weeping over our city), so it fit in perfectly to what was on His Heart for that day! We also have partnering churches and ministries that have coordinated special prayerwalks during the evenings over the past couple of summers, as well as other weekly or bi-weekly prayerwalks on a somewhat consistent basis.
In 2003, Multnomah County built a brand new jail facility in North Portland for about $58 million and then did not have the budget to open the doors for this 550 bed facility, wherein since then it has sat empty and not utilized. On September 1, 2016, we took our Saturday morning SWAT Team (See What Agreement Transforms) to the Wapato Jail and prayed at the front gate! Then it was reported that a local developer, Homer Williams, offered the county $10 million to purchase the jail to perhaps use it as a homeless transition center, but the county refused his offer. Then on this year’s National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3rd, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that a buyer had actually purchased the jail for $5 million and that behind the screens a deal has been established that this new buyer was working with Jordan Schnitzer (who officially took ownership of the property) and that Schnitzer has been working with Homer Williams & his Oregon Harbor of Hope coalition to do a 90 day feasibility study to determine, if indeed, it could be used as a homeless transition center, wherein businesses and the faith community could work together to really help those suffering on the streets of Portland and our entire metro area.
Then in March of 2018, the Holy Spirit lead Gene & Janet Short with Light the Way Ministries (based in Utah) to facilitate a prayer summit in Silverton, Oregon, wherein Gene was given a Word and strong desire from God, that He wanted to “Take Back His City of Portland” and that such would only be taken in the Secret Place, as believers prayed and cried out for God in their personal times of prayer. Then they were led to come back to Portland and lead a team of believers to prayerwalk the city of Portland (6 hours a day) for 52 days starting on Pentecost (Sunday, May 20th to Wednesday, July 11th). On that Wed, July 11th, a close friend, pastor and city leader, Steve Trujillo of Father’s House City Ministries (who has also led many prayerwalks for many years in downtown Portland) shared with me that he attended a monthly Public Safety Meeting for the City of Portland (consisting of the Fire, Police, EMT’s and other City officials), wherein they reported that they were not sure what was going on, but that there was virtually no crimes taking place in downtown Portland for the month of June, no major murders, no break-ins, no stolen cars, no challenges with the homeless, etc., things were very usually quite for a summer month.
Do you think that God answers the prayers of faith (agreement) of His people, when they are in alignment with His heart for our city and region?
James Autry Facebook 503-515-5647
Executive Director & Community Collaborator
PO Box 90784, Portland, OR 97290
www.ServingOurNeighbors.org Facebook Donate
In 2003, Multnomah County built a brand new jail facility in North Portland for about $58 million and then did not have the budget to open the doors for this 550 bed facility, wherein since then it has sat empty and not utilized. On September 1, 2016, we took our Saturday morning SWAT Team (See What Agreement Transforms) to the Wapato Jail and prayed at the front gate! Then it was reported that a local developer, Homer Williams, offered the county $10 million to purchase the jail to perhaps use it as a homeless transition center, but the county refused his offer. Then on this year’s National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3rd, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that a buyer had actually purchased the jail for $5 million and that behind the screens a deal has been established that this new buyer was working with Jordan Schnitzer (who officially took ownership of the property) and that Schnitzer has been working with Homer Williams & his Oregon Harbor of Hope coalition to do a 90 day feasibility study to determine, if indeed, it could be used as a homeless transition center, wherein businesses and the faith community could work together to really help those suffering on the streets of Portland and our entire metro area.
Then in March of 2018, the Holy Spirit lead Gene & Janet Short with Light the Way Ministries (based in Utah) to facilitate a prayer summit in Silverton, Oregon, wherein Gene was given a Word and strong desire from God, that He wanted to “Take Back His City of Portland” and that such would only be taken in the Secret Place, as believers prayed and cried out for God in their personal times of prayer. Then they were led to come back to Portland and lead a team of believers to prayerwalk the city of Portland (6 hours a day) for 52 days starting on Pentecost (Sunday, May 20th to Wednesday, July 11th). On that Wed, July 11th, a close friend, pastor and city leader, Steve Trujillo of Father’s House City Ministries (who has also led many prayerwalks for many years in downtown Portland) shared with me that he attended a monthly Public Safety Meeting for the City of Portland (consisting of the Fire, Police, EMT’s and other City officials), wherein they reported that they were not sure what was going on, but that there was virtually no crimes taking place in downtown Portland for the month of June, no major murders, no break-ins, no stolen cars, no challenges with the homeless, etc., things were very usually quite for a summer month.
Do you think that God answers the prayers of faith (agreement) of His people, when they are in alignment with His heart for our city and region?
James Autry Facebook 503-515-5647
Executive Director & Community Collaborator
PO Box 90784, Portland, OR 97290
www.ServingOurNeighbors.org Facebook Donate
Gene Short, a retired pastor from Orem, Utah, was in Portland for 52 days from May - July, 2018, at the direction of God, walking and praying, meeting Christians who also walk and pray, meeting pastors who also walk and pray. God had told him to go and to take a team to prayer walk the city (see the "Prophecies" page of this site.)
After returning to Utah, and actually before he returned, Gene felt an unsettledness, like the job wasn't finished. Maybe it was the lack of a steady team going with him. Maybe it was that he had counted 52 days until he could leave, but had taken a couple of days off each week, leaving him short of actually walking and praying for 52 days. Whatever, he is back in Portland with a refreshed body and renewed commitment to finish this commission from God and see it through. His plan is to stay through the end of the Compassion to Action Event at the Coliseum September 19-22. His weekly schedule of prayer opportunities is on the "Prayer Summit" Facebook page. Please note that because an opportunity for prayer is listed, it does not mean he will be at that meeting. There is, after all, only one of him. These are simply what they are: opportunities to meet with like-minded prayer-warriors and do what they all like to do best. Call him if you need to; (801) 427-9454. He'd love to meet you, join you, visit with you. |