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Center Offers 24-Hour Prayer

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

BRANDON - When asked about their plans, Ed and Ann Marie Peterson always have the same answer.

They have none. God has the plans, they say. They're just along for the ride.

That was the foundation behind Onething Prayer Center in Oak Park Plaza, 777 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, two years ago, and for everything that has evolved since, said Ed Peterson.

"We have no business plan, no marketing plan," he said. "Everything we need, and no more, miraculously comes through those doors. We've had no huge contributions, just $50 at a time. But as people's hearts are stirred and people are willing, they give to the ministry and it continues to grow."

As a result, what began as a place for people of all denominations to come together and pray 24 hours a day has developed into a bustling center of religious activity encompassing three buildings in the plaza.

There's a meeting place for Christian business networking groups, classes and religious speakers. There's a studio that houses four initiatives - the Joshua Generation, a Christian dance, drama and vocal program for home-schooled students; One Voice, a community choir; a prophetic dance troupe; and LifeCare of Brandon's classes for young parents.

The Petersons also provide space for Christian-based support groups, counseling services and the Operation Light Force discipleship ministry. Helping to fund it all is a coffee shop next to the prayer center aptly named Cafe Holy Grounds.

In addition, the center is an incubator for 11 start-up churches that normally would spend $30,000 to $40,000 to get off the ground. The Petersons provide space to the churches at cost, just enough to cover the rent. The churches, including a Baptist, a Messianic and a Revival church, have access to a worship area, pastor's office and children's and meditation rooms for their members.

"Our intent isn't to make money," Ann Marie Peterson said. "God told us to be of service."

The Petersons say they're amazed at how quickly the center has developed and the direction it's taken without any prodding on their part.

"It's taken on a life of its own," Ed Peterson said. "And it's all because of prayer. Prayer is the center of everything we do."

Both Petersons have spent their adult lives as pastors, most recently at The Point church in Riverview, which merged with The Crossing in Brandon three years ago.

About four years ago, a friend told Ed about the Onething International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Mo., and he decided to check it out.

"I went to IHOP, which was doing prayer 24 hours a day seven days a week," he said. "I felt I needed to learn silence, to learn intercession as meditation and prayer as worship. It wasn't what I expected. There was this large group of people at a strip mall holding hands and praying in front of a real estate office. A couple had just opened the office and they were praying for its success. All conversation was about The Word."

Peterson said he was overcome by a sense of community and peace.

"I was blown away," he said. "I got there at 10 a.m. and didn't leave until 1 a.m. I was just communing with God. I didn't need to learn any more. This told me everything I needed to know. As ministers, we try to give people what they want instead of what they need. Prayer is what they need."

He returned home and told his wife he wanted to open a prayer center. Ten days later, in September 2006, they found a space at Oak Park Plaza. But they had no savings and needed $10,000 for rent.

"We live by faith," Ed Peterson said. "We didn't have any expectations. If you pray to God with expectations, you're just disappointed. I knew God would show up with a check. A few days later, a man came in and gave me a donation."

God provided the materials to turn the space into a prayer center for 130 people, as well, he said. They needed paint, ceiling tiles and lumber. When they began exploring the rented space, they discovered everything they needed stored inside. Donors provided all the furniture, computers, projectors and sound system.

A continuous influx of small donations help the Petersons cover their expenses, which total about $20,000 a month to rent and operate three buildings.

Most nights, the prayer center features live music by local musicians. Monday nights are set aside for artistic workshops, including religious drama, poetry, writing, dance and art.

At all hours, people of any denomination are invited to come in and pray in whatever style they choose. The only rules are those praying must respect one another, and no social conversation is permitted inside.

"Prayer is a personal, intimate relationship - just you and God," Ann Marie Peterson said. "It's experiential. He refreshes and restores you."

For information on Onething Prayer Center, visit www.onethingprayer.com or call Ann Marie Peterson at (813) 500-9411.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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