How do I fulfill my responsibility to God as an American citizen? The University of Mobile (UMobile) has established a new center to help answer that question.
The Center for Leadership Development opened in May “with the goal of transforming America by strengthening Christian faith and character in all areas of public and private life … and to bring national attention to the goal of helping leaders fulfill their responsibility to God as American citizens,” according to a UMobile news release.
The center is directed by Joe Savage, president and founder of Winners Influence and Joe Savage Ministries. He is a motivational speaker, author, evangelist and former pastor. A UMobile alum, Savage has a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and a doctor of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
As its first initiative, the center has launched the twelve23 Prayer Movement for America, which calls on Christians to pray for the nation each day at 12:23 a.m. or p.m. Oct. 1–Nov. 2, the day of America’s midterm elections.
Savage and others involved in the movement encourage individuals to sign an online contract committing to pray daily at www.twelve23.org.
The numbers 12 and 23 in the name of the movement refer to three significant events that call individuals to action: the bravery of a World War II private Dec. 23, 1944, who dug a foxhole in the sand with the intention that no enemy soldier would get past him; John 12:23, which says, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified;” and a citywide prayer meeting in Mobile on Dec. 23, 2009, which drew together individuals of all denominations and races.
The movement crosses political and denominational lines as it draws together leaders in business, education, entertainment, law, media, medicine and ministry, Savage said.“We are finding patriotic Christians everywhere who want to see a return to the values and freedoms with which our nation was formed,” he said. “We are inviting these individuals to unite together and to become the influential leaders which our nation so desperately needs right now.”
UMobile President Mark Foley, the architect of the twelve23 contract, said the time is right for American Christians to take a stand for what they believe.
“The ethics, values and character of our nation’s soul are in dire straits. We need great leaders who will not retreat into a place of apathy or cowardice but instead will lead with godliness, character and selflessness,” he said.
Savage said the movement is an initial step in a continuous process of helping and encouraging Christians to take a stand and lead in all areas of public and private life.
The center will develop and provide seminars, webcasts and other tools to help American Christians maximize their influence in transforming the nation, he added. (TAB, UMobile)
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