The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The Rev. Benito Fonseca looked for the highest point in Virginia Beach to commune with the Lord. Each year, he winds up back at – where else? – Mount Trashmore.
Fonseca is the pastor of Iglesia de Dios Ebenezer, the first Hispanic church in Virginia Beach started more than 17 years ago.
“God sent me here,” said Fonseca, a retired Navy petty officer first class. “I went to the seminary and studied because there were no Hispanic churches here.”
The church, which is located at 1101 Eaglewood Drive in the Oceana section of the city, has about 385 congregants.
A large portion of those congregants will meet at the base of Mount Trashmore by the flagpole from Sunday through May 29.
On Sunday through Friday, they’ll walk around the base of the mountain one time from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“While walking, we’ll pray for the families in Virginia Beach and the leaders in power,” said Jill Natera, church member and co-leader of the intercession ministry.
“We’re just doing what we are told to do. We do it peacefully and then leave.”
Natera said individual prayers will be offered in English and Spanish. The event will take place rain or shine.
On the final day, Saturday, May 29, the walk will start at 3 p.m. and will consist of seven circles around the base followed by a small prayer service on top.
The seven circles, according to Fonseca, signify when the Israelites marched in Jericho to make the wall come down.
“We’ll be praying to take down the walls – abortion, drugs, homosexuality, divorce and more – that are destroying our community,” Fonseca said.
Fonseca came up with the idea four years ago.
“God told me to do this and I feel like I’m doing the will of God,” Fonseca said. “Our church believes that prayer changes things; when we pray things are going to happen.”
Sandra J. Pennecke is a freelance writer who covers the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach for the Beacon section of The Virginian-Pilot.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
