James Nevius, Pastor of The Acts Church, which meets in Edison, NJ, will be hosting the 9th annual Back to School Prayer Rally, Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at the Forum Theatre Arts Center in Metuchen. The event is non-denominational, and there’s no cost to attend. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

(L-R) Pastor Greg McFarren, Pastor James Nevius, Rev. Dr. Jim Miller – at 2011 Rally

The hour-long event, beginning at 7:30 p.m., will feature choirs and musicians, and clergy representing The Acts Church, Metuchen Assembly of God, 1st Baptist Church of Metuchen, 2nd Baptist Church of Metuchen, and Community Presbyterian Church of Edison.

Each minister will lead the audience in specific prayers: for students; for teachers, coaches and administrators; for local elected officials and for local agencies such as police, fire and first responders.

Focus:
From its inception, the focus of the Rally has been for concerned parents and guardians, clergy, students and educators, to come together to pray for security and scholastic excellence for school age children; and for wisdom and guidance for teachers and the School Board and Administration, that the school year be productive and nurturing, and that the classrooms, bus transport, athletic fields and all school events be safe and harm-free.

History:
The late Patricia Nevius, wife of Pastor Nevius and mother of 4 children, began the Prayer Rally in 2004, as reports of abuse and violence in schools escalated. A woman of tremendous faith, Mrs. Nevius held to the conviction that God hears and responds to prayer, and began the first Rally with parishioners of her home church rallying behind the effort.

By 2009, the Rally moved to Metuchen’s historic Forum Theatre Arts Center, where it could accommodate the growing event. 2009 was the first year that dynamic ministers from other Metuchen and Edison houses of worship participated in what’s become an annual community-wide event.

Past keynote speakers include Edison Mayor Jun H. Choi; then-Metuchen Councilman Tom Vahalla; Metuchen Police Chief Jim Keane; Metuchen Chamber of Commerce President Steve Epstein; Edison Fire Chief Norman Jensen; Metuchen Councilman Richard Weber; Metuchen Schools Superintendent Terry Sinatra; Anna Little, Candidate for Congress; and Dorothy Rasmussen, Metuchen Council Member. Music has been provided by St. Francis Cathedral School Choir, St. Joseph High School Band Club, First Pentecostal Prayer of Faith Church’s Men’s Choir, and The Acts Church Youth group, Chair 13.

For additional information about the Back to School Prayer Rally, Pastor Nevius and the host
church, please visit www.webacts.org, or contact Velma Franklin at churchinvitation@gmail.com.