How One Church’s YES Sparked a Prayer Movement: The Impact of Anyone Pray

When Empowered Life Church in Toronto first heard about Anyone Pray, they didn’t realize it would become one of the most transformative ministries in their community. What began as a simple invitation to speak at a chapel service turned into a divine partnership. One that is now connecting countless individuals to hope, prayer, and the love of Jesus Christ.

This is their story.
And it may just become yours, too.

A Divine Moment That Changed Everything

In December 2022, Pastor Donnie Persaud and his wife were invited to share at the weekly staff chapel service at Crossroads. They expected a meaningful visit, but they didn’t expect destiny to unfold.

After the service, a Crossroads representative introduced them to a brand-new initiative launching at the time:
Anyone Pray powered by Crossroads, a prayer line and outreach platform designed to mobilize churches and believers into a powerful movement of intercession.

“It was a divine moment for us,” Pastor Persaud recalls. “We knew immediately this was something God was putting in our hands.”

Crossroads offered the Anyone Pray platform—connecting prayer across the nation. Empowered Life Church brought their heart, passion, and people.

A partnership was born.

Launching a Prayer Line to Give Life

In March 2024, Empowered Life Church officially launched their own 1-800 prayer line through the Anyone Pray platform.

And the launch date wasn’t random.

They chose Resurrection Sunday, a day symbolic of hope, new life, and breakthrough, to open a phone line that would bring those exact things to anyone who called in.

“We want to be a resource for our community,” they said.
“A place of hope people can call when they feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or alone.”

And people did call, from all walks of life, every kind of struggle, every kind of story.

The Heartbeat of a Praying Church

Prayer isn’t new to Empowered Life Church. It is part of their DNA.

They have always believed deeply in the power of intercession, and many members already felt a calling toward prayer ministry. Anyone Pray, powered by Crossroads, became the natural outlet—Spirit-led and people-centred—equipping believers to step into their gifting and serve others through prayer. Volunteers like Mana McClean quickly discovered how life-changing this ministry could be.

“Every person has a mission and purpose,” McClean shared.
“For me, it’s encouragement. Anyone Pray helps me use my gifting to encourage others, believers and non-believers, and live out my calling.”

Then there was Arlene Farrell, who says prayer has always brought her joy. “Loving God means loving people,” she said. “Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can communicate His love.”

Both women describe their experience on the prayer line as fulfilling, purposeful, and spiritually transformative, not just for the callers, but for themselves.

A Partnership That Brings People Back to Jesus

Empowered Life Church is deeply grateful for the partnership with Crossroads and the network of intercessors supporting this national movement.

“Anyone Pray helps people reconnect with Christ,” Pastor Persaud shares. “And that only happens because it is strategic, structured, consistent, and Spirit-led.”

The combination of Crossroads’ decades of experience in prayer ministry and the local church’s heart for community has become a powerful force for hope across Canada.

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Why Should Your Church or Organization Become a Prayer Partner?

Because people are hurting.
Because hope is needed.
Because Jesus still answers prayer.
And because He uses people to deliver that hope.

By joining Anyone Pray, you step into

✔ A ministry that transforms lives
✔ A calling that deepens your walk with God
✔ A community where your gifting can flourish
✔ A front-line movement bringing hope to Canada

How YOU Can Join the Movement

If this story has stirred your heart, you can take the same step Empowered Life Church took…

👉 Become a Prayer Partner:
www.anyonepray.com

👉 Become a Volunteer:
www.anyonepray.com/service/be-a-volunteer