Former Santana Vocalist Escapes RV Explosion

LEON PATILLO ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY IN RV FIRE

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- Former Santana vocalist and Christian music pioneer Leon Patillo and his wife Renee narrowly escaped serious injury on Monday night when the 36' RV they were traveling in exploded in Barstow, California.

According to a media release distributed by Brian Mayes of the Nashville Publicity Group, the Patillo's were driving down the road following weekend concert appearances in California when there was a large explosion and smoke and flames erupted from the front air conditioning unit. Before Leon could pull off the road, the entire front of the RV was engulfed in flames.

The news releases states: "As they scrambled to get out, none of the doors would open as the fire damaged the electrical system enough that the power locks were no longer operational. With flames in the front cabin, Renee finally managed to get her door open, but Leon was not able to climb over the center console due to the fire. He finally managed to break a small window and crawl out, and they began to run knowing that there were several bottles of propane on board. They managed to run about 100 yards before hearing a large explosion, and the RV burned to nothing but a frame."

"Leon incurred scratches on his back from trying to go through the driver's window, and I have a few cuts on my fingers and some under my feet from not having any shoes," says Renee. "We did not have any burns. We inhaled a lot of smoke but we are okay now."

The fire destroyed Leon's keyboards, MP3 player and merchandise, as well as their clothing and luggage, cellular phones, personal effects, and the money they had received from love offerings at concert appearances over the weekend.

"We are still in a little state of shock but God is giving us peace," says Renee. They are currently recuperating at their home in Las Vegas.

Leon Patillo's latest CD Live Experience 2 was released in August through Nashville-based TAG Artist Group, home to such artists as Phil Keaggy, Bryan Duncan, Bruce Carroll, Chuckie Perez, Chronos, Steve Archer, Anthony Burger, Substance, Kent Bottenfield and Joy Oliver.

Visit Leon's website at: wwww.leonpatillo.org

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.

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Prayer @ Strawberry Fields

BOILER ROOM OF PRAYER LAUNCHED AT STRAWBERRY FIELD
Former Children's Home Now Part Of Worldwide Movement Of Prayer Among Youth

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (ANS) -- John Lennon could never have "Imagined" what has happened to the Strawberry Field children's home in Liverpool, England, immortalized by The Beatles 40 years ago, since it officially closed its doors back in May 2005.

The famous red gates of Strawberry Fields.
Photo credit: www.24-7prayer.com

An enterprising venture in prayer among young people is revitalizing the site in Woolton, Liverpool, made famous when John Lennon wrote the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" after playing there as a child. Lennon spent much of his youth playing at Strawberry Field, which was close to his Aunt Mimi's Menlove Avenue.

An internet report at: www.24-7prayer.com says the famous red gates of Strawberry Field, The Liverpool children's home that became world famous after The Beatles 1967 hit song "Strawberry Fields Forever," has just re-opened its doors as 24-7 Prayer's Liverpool 'Boiler Room' -- a "hothouse of prayer" if you like -- operated in association with the Salvation Army.

The report states: "This legendary site, where John Lennon spent time as a child, has lent its name to businesses, literary publications, sporting events, and even a memorial in New York City's Central Park (near John Lennon's home of his later years)."

So what is the significance of this site becoming a 'Boiler Room' of prayer?

The website says: "Strawberry Fields was a place of joy and beauty for John Lennon during his childhood. Now, with excitement and expectation, we re-open the site as a place of joy and beauty for many of his fans as well.

"That Strawberry Fields is not being shut down for good is a victory in and of itself. The children's home was shutting because it is preferable that children be cared for by foster families or small group homes rather than in large institutions.

"But Strawberry Fields is not only a site with a rich heritage of mercy and social justice -- the site remains, to this very hour, a center of pilgrimage to Beatles and John Lennon fans worldwide."

24/7 Prayer's organizers say: "Our prayer is that some of these pilgrims may find One greater than Lennon at the gates of Strawberry Fields..."

Their website says it all began with a six-month-long prayer effort in the city. As Liverpool churches 'passed the prayer baton' to one another week after week, something amazing happened: Gary and Dawn Lacey, Salvation Army officers, were presented with an open-door opportunity to keep Strawberry Fields open as a 'Boiler Room' and a Salvation Army center for community action.

Now, as the six months of prayer draws to a close in November, organizers sense that the adventure has only just begun, and they feel the Spirit's invitation to chase after Him.

The website explains that 'Boiler Rooms' are Christ-focused community centers that 24-7 Prayer is establishing all over the world. Part of the dream behind the Liverpool Boiler Room, which is being run by the Salvation Army, is a longing to establish a place where anyone can come and find a 'home' with God.

The site says: "Jesus told us that his Father's house has many rooms, and that one is one being prepared for each of us. At the Liverpool Boiler Room, we foresee the youth, the homeless, the churched and un-churched, the loud and the quiet, the creative, the contemplative, the hyperactive, the sinners and the saved sinners alike gathering for prayer, community and outreach."

Strawberry Fields now houses eight prayer rooms of different shapes, sizes and themes -- including a Global room, a Liverpool room, and the 'Tabernacle.' There's also a chill out/drop in area, and studio art space.

"Walking in, you cannot fail to be hit by the presence of God and a huge sense of as yet unrealized potential, just waiting to explode," the site says.


** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. ** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

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