Pastor Michael Kusarawana used to be an associate pastor at the Village Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Last week, Michael interviewed Ron Kelly about leadership—a topic that Ron is imminently qualified to speak about. Here is that interview.
Michael has just launched a new website called WiPray, and here he is to tell you about it.
Greetings,
I hope this message finds you well. Happy New Year! As we step into this fresh chapter, I wanted to share a brief and inspiring story of a full-circle miracle from the past year. My hope is that it uplifts and blesses you as much as it has me.
It was this time last year, in 2023, that I found myself attending the GYC youth conference in Portland, Oregon. The city was alive with activity, and thousands of young people had gathered with a shared mission—to spread the gospel. Yet, on that particular day, I couldn't join the outreach efforts. Instead, I returned to my hotel room at the Hilton to do the one thing I could: pray.
As I gazed out of the window at the busy streets below, a wave of burden washed over me. I saw countless people rushing by, faces etched with stress, and hearts I imagined weighed down by unseen struggles. My heart broke for them. How many of them had someone to confide in? How many knew the hope that comes from a relationship with God? I began to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. How could one person make a difference for them?
It was in that moment of hopelessness that God intervened. A clear, undeniable impression filled my heart: "Prayer." But prayer? How, Lord? How could prayer bridge this gap and reach the hearts of so many?
And then, the vision came: Michael, create a space where my people can come together—where they can share their burdens and celebrate their blessings. A place for prayer and praise.
I grabbed a piece of paper and began scribbling down ideas, brainstorming names for what this "space" could be called. One name stood out above the rest: WePray.
I remember the joy that flooded my soul in that moment. The name encapsulated everything God was impressing on my heart—a community united in prayer and praise, lifting each other up in faith.
The months that followed were a rollercoaster. The dream was clear, but the path was anything but smooth. There were moments of doubt, financial challenges, technical roadblocks, and even times when I questioned whether this idea would ever become a reality. Yet, with every obstacle, God opened a door.
But there was one unexpected hurdle that I hadn’t anticipated: the name WePray was already taken. For a moment, it felt like a setback, but God was still leading. After much prayer and reflection, the idea to modernize the name came to mind. I reimagined it as WiPray—a name that not only preserved the vision but also introduced a modern, tech-savvy feel.
This past Saturday, exactly one year later, I found myself once again sitting in a Hilton Hotel room—this time in Columbus, Ohio, overlooking the cityscape as I attended another GYC youth conference. But that day was different. I witnessed the fruition of God’s vision.
WiPray is live. The website launched just days before this conference began, and as I reflect on this journey, I can’t help but marvel at the full-circle moment. What started as a prayer in a hotel room has now become a platform where people from all walks of life can post their prayer requests, share their praises, and support one another in prayer.
WiPray is more than a website—it’s a testament to what God can do when we surrender our burdens and follow His leading.
I invite you to be part of this journey. Visit WiPray.com/prayerWall and be among the first to post your prayer requests and praises. Together, let’s create a global community of believers, lifting each other up in faith and love.
Remember, this is just the beginning. New features are on the way, and I can’t wait to see how God will continue to use WiPray for His glory. Please share it with your friends and family, and let’s watch together as prayer changes the world.
This is my full-circle miracle, and I know it’s only the start of something far greater than I could ever imagine.
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Blessings,
Pr. Michael Kusarawana