Mary Jo joined the pastoral staff of Gateway Church in May 2004 as the Associate Pastor of Prayer & Intercession. She has served the Lord in prayer and intercession lay positions for the past twenty-eight years. In 2004, Mary Jo received her Masters in Practical Ministry with concentrations in Prayer, Ministry and Church Leadership from Wagner Leadership Institute.
The difference between a praying church and a church that prays is that the latter church involves everyone—men, women and children. It is Mary Jo’s desire to see that happen at Gateway. Her heart is to teach, train and impart “effective prayers that will avail much.” Prayers that are strategic, focused and intentional. Prayers that declare God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.
She also desires for every member of Gateway to become a personal house of prayer, then when we come together, a corporate house of prayer. Isaiah 56:7b, “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Mary Jo and her husband, Bruce, have two married daughters that have blessed them with four grandchildren. Traci and Rob have three children: Mackenzie, Bethanie and Grant. Toni and Pete have baby Samantha.
October 18, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Dear Pastor Mary Jo,
We met a few weeks ago at one of the services. My husband, Ray Swenson was in a wheelchair and had just gotten out of the hospital for necrotizing pancreatitis. You had mention a gentleman (C Simmons?) who had gone thru the same ordeal. Would you possible ask this gentleman if he would visit with my husband? Our phone number is 817 503 0677. Presently, Ray will be having a CAT scan of the abdomen on 10/23 and will see the surgeon on 10/25. My husband does not feel that he can handle a 9th surgery……We are holding onto Jermiah 30.17 that God declares that he will restore Ray’s health and heal his wounds. His abdomen wound is almost healed…We covet your prayers. Respectfully sheila swenson