FORT MITCHELL — More than 100 men turned out Thursday night for a prayer rally before the 2002 Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Billy Graham Mission begins next week.

Bill Diggs of Dayton, Ohio, claps his hands during a prayer event Thursday at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church leading up to the Billy Graham Mission. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Standing in the sanctuary of Fort Mitchell Baptist Church, the men prayed, asking God to bless the Rev. Mr. Graham and those who will volunteer and participate in the four-day mission.

        Called “Mission Possible: Men United for Christ,” the prayer service was sponsored by the men's committee of the Billy Graham mission.

        “This has all been a part of an effort we Christians call prayer cover,” said Rick Segal, a local spokesman for the mission. “We Christians believe prayer is a powerful thing.”

        Urban Psalms, a Cincinnati-based contemporary gospel group, led the men in praise with a hip hop call and response. The men's deep voices rang out as some shouted, “Amen!” and “Praise God!”

        Small groups each prayed for different aspects of the upcoming mission — the youth, choir, counselors, pastors and leaders, among others.

        The “Mission Possible” prayer effort for men runs parallel to a similar one for women called “Women United in Prayer.” Both groups have held prayer services for the last 3 1/2 months to pray for the success of the mission.

        Carl Fryman, 56, of Covington said he will be a counselor during the mission services.

        “I've been looking forward to this since the first time I heard he was coming,” he said. “You can feel the power. I can't wait until next week.”

        The 2002 Billy Graham mission will likely be the last visit to the area by the 83-year-old evangelist, who has Parkinson's disease and other health problems.

        The free event is expected to attract 200,000 people to its events that begin June 27. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 volunteers will serve as ushers, sing in the choir, minister in prisons or counsel newly committed Christians.

        The mission will involve about 1,050 churches and 67 denominations in Greater Cincinnati.

        Bill Diggs, who traveled from Dayton, Ohio, said he came to the prayer rally because his church, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, will participate in the mission.

        “That people will receive Jesus Christ as their personal savior,” he said. “That's the bottom line.”
       

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