"One in Worship" spiritual awakening returns to Ford Field

For Immediate Release, March 7, 2005  -  Bishop Andrew Merritt lit a spiritual spark last summer when he hosted One in Worship: A Day of Sacrifice at Ford Field in Detroit.

This summer, Bishop Merritt and Straight Gate International Church hope to set the hearts of Christians ablaze with the fire of the Lord when One in Worship returns to Ford Field on Friday, June 10 from 7-10 p.m. and all day Saturday, June 11. One in Worship activities will include quiet prayer, Bible reading, celebration in worship, and a call to discipleship. Participants should bring their Bibles.

One in Worship, which will be broadcast globally via satellite, is presented by Straight Gate International Church of Detroit.

Because of his great concern for young people and the paths they choose, Bishop Merritt has added a special ministry this year. On Thursday, June 9, Youth in Worship will take place at Straight Gate International Church, 10100 Grand River Ave. in Detroit. Bishop Liston Page of Highway Church in New Jersey will lead the ministry and Israel Houghton will lend his musical inspiration.

One in Worship is expected to draw tens of thousands to the stadium that will be the site of the next Super Bowl. Preferred seating is available in advance for $20. To register, call 1-800-901-2535 or visit www.oneinworship.com.

Under the leadership of Bishop Merritt, Straight Gate International Church has grown dramatically in Detroit over the past 28 years. Bishop Merritt is a powerfully soft-spoken Christian leader with staunch faith and a vision that requires action. For Merritt that action — renting a stadium capable of holding 70,000 people — didn't seem that extravagant, it was necessary.

"I had a vision that the Lord gave me that was One in Worship," Bishop Merritt said. "I knew I had to draw our people — the Christian people of this country — together to praise His name. With the world in turmoil, with violence in our streets, with devastating natural disasters, it is people of God who can make the difference. Our people need faithful leadership and as Christian leaders it is our responsibility to bring the faithful together to pray for that strength for our government, our president and our world leaders."

Christians of every denomination from all over the state and country came out to share their love of the Lord last August. Most left with a newfound excitement about themselves and their faith. Some found Christ for the first time.

For Bishop Merritt, One in Worship is an opportunity to unite.

"We may never be one in doctrine," Bishop Merritt acknowledges. "We may never be one in all our beliefs. But when the presence of God fills a room, we can be one in worship. Last summer, we experienced the power of God's love during One in Worship. This June we have an even greater opportunity to unite in prayer, to lift up our voices to God and ask for his love, strength and forgiveness."

For Erica Owens, 24, of Fraser, the 2004 event was an exhilarating religious experience. The One in Worship ministry and worship leaders were much like those her own Saint Clair Shores Assembly of God Church invites to speak or perform for their congregation.

"One in Worship was inspiring — I can't begin to describe the atmosphere — you have to imagine thousands gathered in His name," Owens said. "The ministry leaders' message evoked so much emotion. Although their message is very similar to what I hear in my own church, there were so many more ministry leaders with their own way of communicating. And the music was amazing, truly uplifting. I'm looking forward to the next One in Worship."

Among those who will set the religious tone for One in Worship 2005, are Bishop Merritt, his wife and ministry partner, Pastor Viveca Merritt, Pastor Paula White of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., Bishop Joseph Garlington of Covenant Church in Pittsburgh, Pastor Sheryl Brady of The River Church in Raleigh, N.C., Apostle Barbara Yoder of Shekinah Christian Church in Ann Arbor, Mark Chironna of Master Touch International in Orlando, Fla., Chuck Pierce of United States Strategic Prayer Network, Michael Chitwood of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dr. Pat Francis of the Kingdom Covenant Centre in greater Toronto, Matthew Kelly of Australia . . . and others.

Worship leaders who will sing praise to the Lord include: Israel Houghton, Phil Driscoll, Judy Jacobs, David and Nicole Binion, Martha Munizzi, Morris Chapman, and Vicki Yohe — all of whom performed at the first One In Worship. Alvin Slaughter will join the mix this year.

For those who missed last year's One In Worship or who want to relive the powerful experience, CDs, DVDs and videos are now available for purchase online at www.oneinworship.com.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF BISHOP ANDREW MERRITT

Bishop Andrew Merritt founded Straight Gate International Church in 1978. The Church, a non-denominational ministry, with a congregation exceeding 5,000, is currently housed in a 165,000-square-foot building at 10100 Grand River in Detroit. Bishop Merritt shares his ministry with his wife of 26 years, Pastor Viveca Merritt.

Bishop Merritt has been recognized as “Clergyman of the Year” and “Minister of the Year” by the Michigan Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He also has received the YMCA “Minority Achievers Award” and currently serves as Second Vice Bishop on the Board of Bishops of the Higher Ground Assemblies.

Bishop Merritt has achieved national and international prominence through his work on One In Worship. He recently had the honor of meeting with and advising President George W. Bush in Washington D.C. It was Bishop Merritt's fourth such audience with the current president. He has also met and interacted with the late President Ronald Reagan and former President William Jefferson Clinton.

Bishop Merritt has written six books. The latest album “Expectation” of Bishop Merritt and the Straight Gate Mass Choir debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Chart.
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