A call for 1,000 men to pray

The evangelist is challenging men to accept their God-given responsibilities.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
WARREN -- By word of mouth, by some 300 letters sent to churches in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, and by -- some might say -- the grace of God, evangelist Gerald C. Dowe Sr. is spreading the news about the 1,000 Men of Prayer.
The nondenominational community event is scheduled at 7 p.m. May 10 at W.D. Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. N.W. And the evangelist is praying that men of all ages, races and denominations will attend.
Why?
"When I was taking my sons to baseball practice and games, I noticed mothers and grandmothers ... but many fathers seemed to be missing," the Warren man said. "The Bible refers to the roles that God gave men ... husbands, fathers, children, workers, co-workers and neighbors."
Dowe said he experienced grief over the lack of male participation and pondered why some men were shirking these roles.
But he admitted that he had an answer from his own past. "I had lived a street life," he said, referring to his younger days. "And I was hanging out on street corners and in bars. I was doing drugs and selling drugs."
Dowe said he knew he had to change his life and direction. "My wife had prayed to God that I would change," he said.
He said he finally faced that. "I didn't want to be stereotyped. I realized what I had to do to break the cycle."
Dowe credited his wife of 20 years, Deborah, with helping him to change. Another reason for change was that he wanted to be a positive role model for his two sons and daughter.
"There came a point when I knew I had to change. It's a start and stop system," he said. "You start out on the bottom rung ... with anything ... that's what I had to do. And I had to stop the other behavior."
Some people welcome and anticipate change; for others, change is upsetting and uncomfortable. Changing behavior is a challenge, Dowe said.
And though Dowe said "jobs, the economy and crime" are part of the reality of life; another reality is that change starts with each individual.
Beyond the belief
"Many people believe in God and the power of prayer," he said, "but they don't believe in themselves. What they need to remember is that Jesus Christ believes in us.
"Prayer touches the heart of God. It's our communication link to God," he said.
The 1,000 Men of Prayer event will ask men to care enough about themselves, their families and their communities to take a positive step, Dowe said. "We need to work together to make an impact."
"So many men aren't living up to their responsibilities," he said. "They need to be challenged."
On Friday, the evangelist sent another mailing about the 1,000 Men of Prayer.
"I've gotten some positive feedback from my first mailing. I've heard the information was read to congregations and posted," he said. He acknowledged that the information is out there; the response is yet to be seen. But he said he has received response, and some men's church groups were planning to attend.
Dowe will be the "main messenger" at the event, and his talk will be supplemented by an area praise and worship team. Though the event is focusing on men, anyone who wants to join in praying may do so. Events geared to women and families will be held at a later date.
For more information on the 1,000 Men of Prayer, e-mail Dowe at geralddowesr@aol.com.