When Maurice Rivera first joined a Church Renewal International (CRI) mentoring group, he was on the brink of burnout. It was the middle of the pandemic; his personal walk with God was dry; and his church, located in Subic Bay, the Philippines, was struggling with many character issues. 

As he went through the Abide series in mentoring, Maurice first learned to listen to God’s voice — something he hadn’t regularly practiced before. This series taught him to prioritize his personal relationship with Jesus, resulting in a renewed love for praying and reading scripture. 

After experiencing the power of listening prayer in their personal lives, Maurice and his staff knew they needed to teach it in their church. Once they did, prayer meetings at Subic Bay Community of Faith (SBCF) were completely transformed. Not only did their meetings grow in number — from an average of seven people to upwards of 70 each month — but these meetings also became a key form of discipleship in their church. During the meetings, church members listened in prayer, read their Bibles using devotional tools like SMORP, and worshipped together.

The Set Free! Retreat played a significant role in growing the character of the believers at SBCF. As church members confessed to one another and were released from the burdens of their sins, they experienced renewed relationships and an increased excitement to worship and pray together. This retreat was so transformative that his staff now requires all volunteers to attend a Set Free! first so they learn how to serve joyfully and lead others to freedom. 

Today, Maurice is thankful to CRI for teaching practices and giving tools that have helped him counteract the burnout he was feeling personally and bring revival to his church. 

January Prayer Request

Pray that pastors in CRI mentoring would experience a greater passion for prayer. Ask God to use tools like the Abide series to bring a culture of prayer into their churches.