Hate evil, love good and establish justice at the gate, Amos 5:15

Vision: For the preaching and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God at the city gates

Mission: To call God's people together to impact their communities by prayer, caring and sharing King Jesus and kingdom principles in the 7 spheres of influence in society

When Nehemiah saw the city of Jerusalem, he saw a city with a wall that was broken down and city gates that were burned with fire. The Target 7 strategy came out of prayer time with a question posed to God of where we needed to focus our prayers if we are to reach a city with the gospel. God revealed the necessary areas and the concept of Target 7 was born. Target 7 covers the areas of influence (families, government, schools, business, media/arts, the Church) which make up every people group, as well as the concept of building a protecting wall around every community.

Your descendants will take possession of the cities (gates) of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed. Genesis 22:17b-18a

7 Days of Prayer at the City Gates

Target 7^SM identifies the gates of the city, the areas of influence, that must be targeted in order for the city to be transformed for the glory of God.

In scripture, a gate is an opening or an entrance. The gates were a very important place because there: (1) people assembled; (2) the laws were read; (3) proclamations were made; (4) priests and prophets delivered their discourses, admonitions and prophecies; (5) business was conducted. Gates were also the openings to the city, so they were carefully guarded day and night.

We have already identified some of the "gates" of our city. They are the government, schools, businesses, the media and entertainment industry, the church, and families (Target 7^SM). In each of these areas, people assemble and important decisions are handed down to us. Those who are leading in these arenas have great influence over us. What are we supposed to do? I believe we are to go in by prayer and possess these gates.

God's promise to Abraham was that He would bless Him, multiply his seed, and that this seed would possess the gate of his enemies. (Through Jesus Christ we inherit the blessings of Abraham, Galatians 3:14).

In the gate, believers are supposed to open their mouths for the poor and needy (Proverbs 24:7). "Wise" believers do this (Proverbs 30:9). God will reward those who turn back the battle at the gate (Isaiah 28:5-6). God desires judgment at the gate (Amos 5:15). Wisdom and understanding cry out at the gate (Proverbs 8:1-3). Gatekeepers were assigned to watch and protect the city at the gate (Nehemiah 13:19).

As believers, it is our responsibility to sit and watch with the Lord at the gate.