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April 30, 2010

Evangelist on a mission close to home

By Renee Gendreau News Correspondent

NEW CASTLE — Traveling 8,500 miles, the Rev. Pat Torok witnessed “the Lord move through miracles and visions.”

But she knew she could help others experience God’s presence a little closer to home.

So when the 55-year-old evangelist returned to New Galilee in March after her third trip to India, she began looking into the possibility of having services that didn’t require “being in three states on five planes and a train.”

“I felt called to the pulpit, but I knew I wasn’t called to build a church,” Torok explained. “I’d been praying about it for about a month when I took my grandchildren to Prayer Mountain and asked (founder the Rev. Jim Allison) about doing services there. His response was ‘Sure, when?’”

Founded by Allison in 1969, Prayer Mountain Ministries is located in Darlington on what is believed to be the highest point in Beaver County. Originally a ministry serving troubled youth on the streets of New Brighton, Allison has expanded his programs to include a retreat center and prayer services for a variety of denominations, including a Messianic Jewish congregation.

“We don’t have a church here,” Allison explained. “We do have services Saturday night, but those are more or less a shot in the arm. We welcome all denominations, so when Pat asked me, I said sure.”

“The Lord goes before us and opens doors,” noted Torok whose weekly Tuesday services begin at 7:30 p.m. May 4. Once a month, Torok plans a soaking service with no preaching, only a chance to clear the mind while listening to soft music.

“With soaking, we’re not preaching, we’re connecting with God,” Torok explained, adding that there will also be a laying on of hands at the sessions.

A former member of the Gospel Joy Belles, Torok plans to incorporate a lot of music into the services. She has recorded two CDs and takes her music ministry as well as a puppet show to local nursing homes and hospitals. While she plans to cut back a little on that portion of her life, Torok intends to continue the visits.

She also plans to return to India as well as do other traveling. Torok’s latest trip was part of her work as United States national director and head of women’s ministries for Time Out Missions headquartered in the United Kingdom.

“Our mission is to preach unity to a broken church,” explained Torok who lead worship services and revivals during her five-week stay. “We all agree that the church is Christ’s bride, not a building with a sign. We’re trying to bring the church together as one, not compete with anyone.”

An evangelist for about 15 years, Torok was ordained on a previous trip to India through Progressive Faith Ministries. A member of Word Alive Church in Ellwood City, she sees her role as an evangelist not as “pushing people to the Lord, but drawing them.”

“In India, people came with cancer, addictions. They were expecting miracles. I know we can do the same thing on Prayer Mountain,” she explained. “I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting, but I expect miracles. After all, you can’t have the baby if you’re not expecting first.”

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