]> http://www.shreveport.peopleofpraise.org en http://www.shreveport.peopleofpraise.org/about <p>In 1973 Jim and Mert Minto started a prayer meeting in their home. By 1980 six young couples were a part of the prayer group and lived in the same neighborhood near Sandefur St. A prophetic word in 1986 encouraged the prayer group to look into different Christian communities.</p> <p>In early 1987 Tom Evans from People of Praise in New Orleans visited the prayer group to tell them about the People of Praise. He also invited the men to attend a People of Praise retreat. The retreat was given by Fr. Charlie Harris of Portland, Oregon. The men who went on the retreat returned to Shreveport on fire for Christian community. In January 1988 Tom Evans was asked to return to Shreveport and give another talk on community. Tom was asked many questions on community life in general and specifically about the People of Praise community. In February, the prayer group decided to ask to become part of People of Praise. Two days after Tom Evans visit, the prayer group met to discuss what Tom had said. Many commented that People of Praise was the community for them. After a few more minutes of discussion, Jim Minto looked around the room and asked “Who is ready to join the People of Praise?” Every hand went up.<br /> Mert Minto recalls “We became a mission branch of People of Praise after two years of praying over prophecies. We spent 12 months interviewing other communities and unanimously agreed that the Lord’s call was to the People of Praise. In 1992 thirteen people made the first covenant.<br /> Today, the Shreveport branch consists of about 25 adults and 20 children. Recently we held our first Pentecost Seminar and had five participants attend. </p> Wed, 01 Dec 2004 14:54:08 +0000