Hot or cold, rain or shine, the Crowley PUSH group has been traveling throughout Crowley praying for the city and the nation once a month.
And Monday night was no exception, as the group braved rainy weather and more mosquitoes than could be counted to make its prayer journey on the two-year anniversary of its inception.
That evening they followed the same route they had taken on their initial voyage, stopping to pray at the corner of Hutchinson and Western before moving on to Rhone Village, West Crowley Subdivision and Westwood.
The idea for PUSH — Pray Until Something Happens — was conceived in the den of Alderwoman Dr. Ezora and Bishop James Proctor when a group of people, including Walter Andrus, Chris and Beulah Mayfield, Alderman Vernon “Step” Martin and Rev. Keith Matthews of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, gathered with the Proctors to discuss what they could do about the violence occurring in the city.
They came up with a five-point initiative that included a neighborhood watch program, a youth mentoring program, Coffee with a Cop, community clean-up and, of course, PUSH.
The group gathers on the second Monday of every month at Greater Love Family Worship Center on North Avenue E. They open with a prayer at 5:30 before traveling together, escorted by the Crowley Police Department, to four different sites in the city to pray.
With regard to the PUSH initiative’s still going strong after two years, Rev. Matthew Kelso of St. Joseph Baptist Church said, “We’re still out there, still doing God’s work.”
According to Dr. Proctor, “PUSH has been a great asset to the Crowley community because it has curtailed the violence.”
Although Dr. Proctor assumed leadership of the group, the ministers of various churches and a number of community leaders have played a major part in its growth. She cites, among others, the ongoing efforts of Andrus, Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard (for providing security) and Rev. Sherard Joseph of Jerusalem Baptist Church and Morning Star Baptist Church (for planning the prayer routes).
Dr. Joe Holden, who has been praying with the group consistently, said that he appreciates what the PUSH group and its leaders have been doing.
“This community needs prayers, and I hope the great end-time harvest starts in Crowley,” said Holden.
In closing Monday night, Dr. Proctor noted, “If God is in the plan, He makes it alright, and God is in this plan.”
The next PUSH street-corner prayer event is set for Monday, Nov. 12. The public is invited, and anyone who would like more information can contact Dr. Proctor at 783-8094.
