By Pat Centner, AFAJ staff writer

October 2001 – Roma, Texas, the “jewel” of the Rio Grande Valley, lies along the Texas and Mexico borders between Laredo and McAllen, Texas. This small town of 10,000 residents has earned the nickname “jewel” because of its beautiful historical buildings and rich history as a trading post and inland port for the Rio Grande River. It has also been designated as a National Park. 

The citizens of Roma are as diverse as those in any small town in America, but its close proximity to the Mexican border has naturally resulted in a high concentration of Mexican-American residents. Since Roma is linked to several other little “barrios” (neighborhoods), the number of children attending its schools is more than half the town’s population. The Roma Independent School District (RISD) serves nearly 6,000 students and employs over 1,000 workers. 

The students of Roma have long been on the heart of RISD board member Raymond Mussett. A local physician and Christian, Dr. Mussett has seen the increased violence, lack of respect, and disregard for God that students are flaunting in schools nationwide and in his own hometown of Roma. 

Believing that fervent prayer is the key that unlocks solutions to difficult problems, Mussett initially asked that school board members take turns praying before each board meeting. They agreed. He later suggested that a men’s community prayer breakfast be initiated, with the primary goals of praying for the community’s leadership, families and clergy, and to discuss issues involving Roma’s school children.

How the prayer breakfast came into being and the information shared at the meetings can serve as an excellent model for Christians across America who are interested in initiating a similar gathering in their communities. Here is Mussett’s story. 

Q: How did the idea for the prayer group originate?
A: Early this year, our pastor invited Judge Ralph Beisner, a Supreme Court Justice from New York, to a special dinner to talk to our community leaders about the importance of Christ in the life of public officials. 

The leaders were very receptive and wanted to continue some sort of meetings. We discussed the problems of our youth and the remedies now available, many of which fall short of any long-lasting solution. 

I proposed a men’s prayer breakfast, and the idea was accepted. Several men later told me they felt slighted because they had not been invited to the meeting. We have countered that with personal, one-on-one invitations, either through a home visit or phone call. This has been very effective.

Q: How did you approach your superintendent of schools, mayor, and other officials with the idea of a prayer breakfast?
A: At that first dinner, I asked them individually what they thought were the most pressing problems facing today’s school kids. The superintendent and principals who attended mentioned drugs, premarital sex, pregnancy, and lack of respect. The solutions they offered were “more discipline” and “more education about the consequences of such activities.” The county judge said, “I tell these young kids when they come before me that they either straighten up or they go to reform school.” I asked him if he thought that solution was an effective one, and he was not hopeful. I also asked if he knew of any other solution, and he could not think of one. 

I then suggested that today’s kids need a change of heart, and only Jesus Christ can make that possible. Miraculously, this has continued to be the focus of conversation at the three prayer breakfasts since the dinner. 

At those meetings, we’ve addressed the blatant disregard for God that is so prevalent in our schools by quoting our founding fathers’ statements concerning the importance of religious principles in public life, and by exposing the bad Supreme Court decisions that have put God out of our schools and public life. 

Another issue we’ve discussed as a probable cause for the problems in our schools is that most parents don’t take their children to church anymore. We approached our community clergy with the facts concerning the breakdown of the family, the absence of the father in homes, and the lack of godly examples in our homes and schools.

As leaders in our community, we need to set the example. We need to live our lives in the way we would want others to live, and to take every opportunity to tell them why we live the way we do. We need to be accountable to our community and to God. Many people are not leaders but are looking for examples to emulate. This is especially true of our youth. 

Q: I’m sure you’re aware that there are towns and cities in America where the town leaders would laugh you right out of their offices. Do you have any suggestions for situations like that?
A: There are leaders in our community who have not participated yet; however, I continue to invite them even though they have refused or have not shown up, yet. I think the key is that I have been in the community for 21 years and have worked hard for the sake of the Lord to be a friend, an example and a participant in community activities. 

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of living on your face before God, living a righteous life, confessing your failures, and being humble as prerequisites for influence in your community. People need to know you and at least respect you before you can gain their ear. Even with those who may laugh at you, it is so important that you not allow a spirit of bitterness to enter in. Seek to make your community leaders a success by supporting their efforts and praising them when they do something worthy. Be available to them when they have needs in their lives. Show them Christ’s love.

Q: What are your thoughts concerning Christians in public office? 
A: I believe it’s time that we as Christians “come out of the closet,” come out of our churches and become participants in the communities where we live. We need to throw away our “holier than thou” attitudes and move among the hurting and seeking and lost as Jesus did. It is uncomfortable and scary at times, but you will be amazed at the positive response you’ll receive from good people as you give them a reason to have hope in the future. 

Q: How long has your group been meeting? Where do you meet? How many typically attend? 
A: We have had three meetings thus far. Meetings are held at the community center away from the schools and churches in order to encourage an ecumenical group. Approximately 25-30 attend. 

Q: Have you thought about including women as a part of the group? 
A: We felt it was important to start with the men, that it was necessary to discuss our roles as the spiritual heads of our families. In a society where church has been relegated to an activity for “women and children,” it becomes imperative that men be encouraged to lead. We need to encourage each other to live up to the challenge that Christ gives us to be the head of our household, loving and leading our families to do that which is right, and good and true. This is not easily discussed in front of women; it’s not the macho thing to do.

We have encouraged the women to start something of their own. We are planning another dinner in several months which will include our wives. Many have told me they feel somewhat left out, but when I explain that we men need more prayer than they do, they are very supportive. 

Q: What words of advice would you offer to others interested in pursuing a course of action like that you’ve taken in Roma?
A: Seek God first and ask Him to give you a passion for your community’s youth – youth that are growing up without God in their lives. 

Also, ask God to give you a passion for your community. It is so easy to criticize and find things wrong, to sit on the sidelines and fail to participate. I have found that community leaders do have a good heart, in general, and are looking for new ideas to move their community forward. Work to make your community leaders a success. 

Q: Are there pitfalls you can help others avoid as they attempt to start a community prayer gathering? 
A: The only pitfall I can think of is that some leaders might become proud and haughty. But if, instead, you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and respect and listen to others, God will lift you up. Give honor and glory to Him whenever you have the opportunity. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit by living in a way inconsistent with the way you are encouraging others to live.  

Contact Dr. Mussett at [email protected].