At a time when it seems the culture is affecting Christians more than Christians are affecting the culture, pastor Jesse Bradley wants to tip the scales in the other direction. And he’s counting on local churches and the power of prayer to help make it happen.
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“The church should be the most hope-filled place in America right now,” Pastor Bradley recently told The Washington Times’ Higher Ground. “People are starving for hope. And they’re going to movies or entertainment, games, they’re going to the bar. We want churches to be the place [where you go to find hope] … That’s where you experience the presence of God.”
Granted, that may be tough to do when church attendance is in decline. But Pastor Bradley, who leads Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, says that God’s plan for the church that’s laid out in the Bible is clear, and its flourishing is key to winning hearts for Jesus.
“It’s a unique time when you think about it’s never been the situation that less than half Americans have a house of worship. These are the lowest numbers ever in terms of physically going to church and yet digital ministry is taking off,” Pastor Bradley said, noting that his church recently started a digital prayer wall for the community. “We’re seeing revival on college campuses through the movies, record numbers of baptisms, it’s really a both/and… Is there deterioration? Absolutely. Is there more chaos? Yes. And at the same time is God moving powerfully.”
Pastor Bradley noted that the #PrayforDamar movement is the perfect example. Back in January of 2023, the whole nation rallied around Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin who stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated on field during a game. In that moment, players, fans, coaches, and even ESPN commentators stopped what they were doing and prayed, which Pastor Bradley said is “going to be key in America.”
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“We need God’s presence to move [in this nation]. And throughout scripture, I don’t know any better way than enter a prayer and then let’s get filled with the Holy Spirit,” Pastor Bradley explained. “Let’s let God lead us instead of us trying to lead God and tell Him to bless us. Let’s just trust God and move forward, not with fear, but with courage and unity.”
The former professional soccer goalkeeper believes prayer is so important that his church started a digital prayer wall for the community and a weekly drive-thru prayer service to minister to the community. Each week, a team goes to a busy part of the city and offers to pray for those driving by. Through this ministry, and the courage of people in his church being willing to step out in faith, they’ve had the opportunity to pray for countless individuals — and even lead some to Jesus.
“I believe this is one of the most important times in terms of the history of the church in America in our response right now to the current situation in the world,” Pastor Bradley said. “I believe we’re made for a time like this. And I think it’s time to not retreat, be silent, be intimidated, be fearful. It’s time to find our voice, to roll up our sleeves, to live out our faith and to rise up… If you take those risks, God is going to transform lives.”
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Marissa Mayer is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her work has been featured in Christian Post, The Daily Signal, and Intellectual Takeout. Mayer has a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Arizona State University.
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