Christmas 2020 and New Year’s Eve

In this remarkable year of Kingdom of God challenges and opportunities we are rejoicing in His faithfulness. Since Jesus was born in Bethlehem in most humble circumstances, nations have risen and fallen and yet His Kingdom remains unstoppable.

2020 – A Year of Breakthrough . . .

Changes on-site both externally and internally reflected in the pictures below.

You can see our prototype Legacy Prayer Bench under development. The Scripture Tiles will carry powerful messages along the pathway to and from the large future Cross in the Garden. A physical and spiritual inheritance can be created on behalf of a loved one, family member, or even as a statement from your business ministry. Simply visit the Legacy Dedication page HERE to partner with us.

Improved Amenities . . .

We now have a set of stairs for improved walking downhill to the Prayer Trails and some of our team were able to meet and pray for the first time this month in our newly remodeled office to be used for hosting visitors and telling the Gateway Prayer Garden story. If you’d like to see a 17-second micro-tour of the facility just click HERE.

2021 – A Year of Lift-Off . . .

In the New Year, we look forward to hosting you when we have heat and electricity!

Plan to come and visit us in 2021 and watch for further details on Facebook and your email.  We are on the move and looking for volunteers to partner with us in a very bright future for the Front Range of Colorado! Links to volunteer opportunities are HERE and our office telephone number is 719-574-0500.

Looking back and remembering . . .

As we view 2020 in the rear-view mirror, we’ll see how the Lord has been preparing us for the greatest movement of the Holy Spirit and expansion of His Kingdom in history. His desire is to bless all peoples and bring sons and daughters into His family and make disciples. We get to participate with Him!

From the Gateway Prayer Garden Team we wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas season and a most remarkable 2021 ! “Of the increase of His (Jesus’) government and peace there shall be no end . . .” Isaiah 9:7

For the Kingdom,

Director

Mark R. Spengler, Director

These are amazing times and we believe full of promise for God’s Kingdom purposes on earth and those include the Prayer Garden!

GATEWAY PRAYER GARDEN PROVIDES FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR FRIENDS TO SUPPORT FINANCIALLY . . .

Two powerful ways to the next level of “Establishing the Garden” . . .

• The Gateway Prayer Garden is inviting supporters who would like to create a spiritual legacy by providing Legacy Prayer Benches and Legacy Scripture Tiles. The Prayer Benches form the perimeter of pathways in the shape of a ground Cross that every visitor will walk on. They can be donated on behalf of a loved one, a friend, church or para-church organization, school, or even businesses.

LEGACY PRAYER BENCHES . . .

Simply go to this link: Legacy Dedication Prayer Bench & Plaque

SCRIPTURE TILES FOR THE MAIN PATHWAYS . . .

154 Scripture Tiles will be placed in the pathway surfaces for everyone to read as they walk along. Individuals can also choose the same Scripture in a foreign language if desired. Every individual who would like to make a suggested donation toward a Scripture Tile can choose the Scripture from a list on the website. These Scriptures have been chosen to provide a progression of messages from God’s Word as they walk to and from the large Cross, where there's an opportunity to experience Jesus.

Simply go to this link: Legacy Dedication Scripture Tile Stone

There are lots of additional ways to partner to take us next level of “Establishing the Garden”! Go to this link: Other Partnering Options

FOR ANY WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND TED BECKETT’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE . . .

These videos are on the internet for your viewing, just click on the links:

Celebration of Life Service October 16, 2020: Beckett Life Celebration

Ted Beckett-Graveside Service October 16, 2020: Beckett Graveside Service

And here was his challenge to those attending a Men With a Purpose luncheon September 9, 2019: Ted's Charge To Us All

LAST MINUTE CHANGE TO DECEMBER 12^TH PLANS TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 13^TH . . .

We had planned on hosting a mini-Grand Opening for this Saturday (12/12) because we’d been given a green light by the city of Fountain to hookup our electricity. They have put yet another obstacle in our path so we are simply inviting those who can come to the modular on-site (we’ll try to get it warm enough!) and pray with us for a final breakthrough this SUNDAY (12/13) from 2-4 PM. Perhaps not coincidentally, are battling locally at the same time a national conflict is occurring in the governmental arena. We’ll be serving hot drinks and snacks while showing you our plans for 2021! Hope you can join us in person!

For the Kingdom,

Director

Mark R. Spengler, Director

TED BECKETT WAS CALLED HOME TO BE WITH HIS LORD JESUS . . .

On Saturday, October 10^th at approximately 3:50 PM, Ted was called home after several weeks of struggling with complications from congestive heart failure.  As his wife Audrey was praying, Father God spoke into her spirit that Ted is one of God’s Generals.  God had need of Ted to work with him to formulate strategies to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Friday, October 16^th at the Beckett Event Center and graveside observance at Evergreen Cemetery with military honors. Ted was proud to have served as a Marine!  Many ministry friends and family members shared how Ted influenced their lives and ministries.  An additional celebration of Ted’s life memorial service will occur on November 15^th in California.  A video of the memorial service will be made available on-line.

Ted was a man of bold vision and faith.  His successful real estate development endeavors provided both resources and a platform for him to powerfully demonstrate his Christian faith.  Owning his own business allowed Ted flexibility with his time.  Ted made himself available to be used by God in miraculous ways in more than 70 countries.

Upon hearing the story of God’s plan to build a Prayer Garden on the land the Becketts owned in Fountain, he and his wife Audrey, made a momentous decision (see link) to gift this $2 million property for a Prayer Garden.  What excited Ted were the Prayer Trails which are now functioning. His story about the Prayer Trails is on-line (see link).

Pray with us that ALL the Lord has in mind for Gateway Prayer Garden will be faithfully created for His 21^st century Kingdom purposes.

FIRST TIME FOR FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT . . .

Flagstone Scripture Tile Example                                   

Legacy Prayer Benches Example

In a 7-0 vote on Tuesday evening, October 6^th, the Planning Commission of Fountain, Colorado approved the preliminary plat for Gateway Prayer Garden.  We are awaiting approval of the Final Plat and Development Plan.

This decision is the next step in allowing us to move ahead with setting the modular building as a construction and security office and then begin the physical layout of more

than 300 stone blocks that form the perimeter of the ground Cross as Legacy Prayer Benches.  We will begin fabricating 77 Scripture Flagstone Tiles (in both English and a foreign language).

If you’ve been following our activities over the past three years and concurrent tussle with government, you’re aware that we’ve never asked for financial support.  Now is the time and your opportunity to partner with us to going to another level of bringing the Prayer Garden to reality.

SAVE THE DATE . . .

Saturday, December 12^th, from 2:00-5:00 PM is the date and time we plan to host you on-site in our newly opened Security/Construction building.  This time is based upon all the remaining approvals finalized from the city of Fountain and a helpful weatherman . . . !

We hope you can make it!  More details to follow soon and make sure you Like and Follow us on Facebook at GPG Facebook to keep up to date with our activities.

It’s an exciting time to be serving our King !

PASTORAL GATHERING ON-SITE . . .

On August 17, the Garden hosted on-site approximately 20 pastors and wives who had come to pray for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in the Pikes Peak region. That visit included participants burying the Word of God, pounding a stake in the ground, and commemorating the event with an engraved stone (shown below).

The words read “Kingdom of God Revolution, August 17, 2020”. These were pastors and spiritual leaders not cowed by the extreme (and inconsistent) Covid-19 restrictions being placed on church gatherings in Colorado and were among the first to re-open their doors for ministry.

CRITICAL ISSUE ON THE BALLOT NOVEMBER 3 . . .

As the nation continues to struggle in the midst of so much misinformation and dis-information regarding the Covid-19 virus, we encourage you to pray and act in obedience to our heavenly Father. Sickness and diseases stem from our spiritual enemy and the Prayer Garden and Trails is place of healing and restoration. It is also a place where we intercede for the civil affairs and leadership in our nation, both locally and nationally.

One of the issues affecting Colorado that is HIGH on God’s agenda is abortion. For the first time in 53 years, Coloradans will have the opportunity to begin to turn the tide on what has been unrestricted abortion by removing the practice of late-term abortion. We know ALL abortion not only grieves the heart of God but also brings devastation to the soul and spirit of those experiencing it. Our state has even been given the moniker of providing “tourism abortion” because of its readiness to allow abortions at any stage of pre-born child development.

The issue to decide whether late-term abortions will continue to be allowed in Colorado is called Proposition 115 and will be on the ballot this fall. We encourage you to pray for its passage and to volunteer in any one of multiple efforts in the Pikes Peak region to promote understanding of this matter. Link: Resource Material for Prop 115

The shedding of innocent blood is of highest importance to God and creates a foundation in our society and culture for all other forms of violence to occur including child abuse, domestic violence, and murder as well as polluting the land. (Numbers 35:33, Ps. 106:38)

Of course, voting is in obedience to God’s Word where Jesus says in three Gospels “render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar’s and unto God those things that are God’s.”  Practically this includes voting and even if you don’t want to choose a candidate to support, you can at least pray and vote God’s will regarding LIFE.

ELECTION INTEGRITY IS A BIG DEAL THIS YEAR . . .

Wherever you are you should recognize the importance of the election in November.  We have never seen the kind of issues facing voters in an election year with Covid-19, violence in the streets, and such political polarization.  If you’d like to ensure the voting process is kept on a level playing field in your city, consider volunteering. Link: Volunteer Here..

We are praying for the greatest outcome from the election for God’s Kingdom purposes in America and trust you are too.  “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  We believe this promise as we continue to pursue the vision of the Gateway Prayer Garden.

Pray with us for the Kingdom to come!

PS. We hope to have some encouraging news in our next newsletter regarding progress at the Garden and Prayer Trails!

June, 2020

Dear Friends of Gateway Prayer Garden,

Sunday, May 31^st was history making as we inaugurated a Prayer Circle on our new “Southern Trail” with a focus of serving the military. Here’s the link for your viewing of the activities that occurred on Pentecost Sunday. GP PENTECOST SUNDAY

If you were unable to attend, you missed an opportunity to hear a personal testimony from Chaplain (Major) Chad Davis who lost men to war in Iraq and carried the personal grief, trauma, and spiritual baggage of these experiences for many years. In 2017 he was healed from PTSD and his story will be an encouragement to many in the years to come who are suffering.

Spiritual leaders from here in El Paso County led us in prayers dedicating this new Prayer Circle and it was a moving experience because of the Lord’s presence with us.

We were also able to announce that just two days before (Friday, May 29^th) we received our final approval from FEMA stating the upper portion of land where the Prayer Garden and facilities are to occur is clearly out of the flood-way. Now that obstruction is eliminated and we can go ahead with our submissions to the city of Fountain.

The important results of this approval will allow the installation of water, sewer, and electricity taps to our modular and it becomes a critical interface for hosting, construction activity, and providing security for the land.

2020 has been our year of release and we look forward to further engaging with you personally as we begin to plan in terms of further expanding the southern Prayer Trail, forming the Cross-outlined pathway with the more than 200 blocks presently on site, and gaining approval for our site development plan.

Now that nature has turned the Prayer Trails green and Covid-19 and it’s horrible legacy of multiplied suffering on so many levels is behind us, we are looking forward to a productive year for the Kingdom and realizing His plans and provisions for this this ministry. Please plan to visit in the near future as the nation needs prayer more than ever.

For His purposes to be fulfilled in the Pikes Peak region,

Mark R. Spengler, Director

April, 2020

Dear Friends of Gateway Prayer Garden,

EXEMPTIONS TO “SAFER-AT-HOME” ORDERS –

There is always a silver lining to those things that the enemy throws at God’s creation. For followers of Jesus, Covid19 has prompted prayer for thousands, some of them family members, co-workers, and even those unknown to us personally.

Many state Governors have adopted “stay-at-home” executive orders and in Colorado there are fortunately many exemptions to those working in critical infrastructure and healthcare operations, manufacturing, financial institutions, and yes, even houses of worship provided “social distancing” is employed.

But there is one thing that no exemption is needed for: PRAYER WALKING AND PRAYING.

Whether in your back yard, neighborhood, school grounds, athletic field, downtown, or the Prayer Trail at Gateway Prayer Garden, there are no restrictions on this activity! If you haven’t read the story of why we intentionally began with reclaiming the land along Fountain Creek for this purpose, I’d encourage you to follow this link: Walk and Pray

We believe that every believer should have a place where they regularly walk and pray. Most churches have spare land area, even if it’s a parking lot, where parishioners can walk and pray whether individually or in groups (practicing “social distancing” if needed).

“I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

KEYS FOR PRAYER WALKING –

Here is even more helpful content from the “Bible Resource Study Center” we recommend for walking and praying: Bible Resource Center

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Genesis 3:8

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT GPG –

If you’ve been down to the Prayer Garden recently, you may have noticed a large number of blocks on the ground near the Cross. These will be set in place to begin forming the perimeter of the walkway where Scripture tiles will be placed. When we obtain the go ahead from the city of Fountain that FEMA approvals have finalized, we can move forward with these blocks.

MAJOR PRAYER ANSWERED AND ONE MORE REQUESTED –

You may remember in our last communication we were asking the Lord to bring forth our “Bezalel” to help design and visualize the structures that will be in the Garden based on God’s instructions. Bezalel was the person in Exodus 31 God chose to design and build the Tabernacle. This is critical for two reasons: 1) Once approved, we can hook up our utilities to the Security/Construction building that has remained vacant for over a year. 2) We wanted someone who was dependent on the Holy Spirit to accomplish this ministry.

One of our readers saw this request and gave us the name of an architectural/engineering firm that understands its calling as ministry and we are engaging with them!

NOW our next major prayer request is locating a road grader for a day for leveling our ground so we can place our stone blocks. Prayer with us for this and any suggestions would be appreciated.

DON’T FORGET TO CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR Sunday, May 31^st is a day for us to gather once again on the land and celebrate the continuous leading and unfolding progress by the Holy Spirit of GPG.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS –

We are planning another Fountain Creek cleanup time in the near future that will allow us to extend our Prayer Trails further south along Fountain Creek. Details to follow soon!

With much appreciation,

Mark R. Spengler, Director