Rick and Robin McLaughlin Step Into New National Leadership Role
Psalm 45:7 – “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.”
Throughout Scripture we see God move anointed leadership from generation to generation. In the NDP family of prayer leaders, Mary Bruce, a seasoned and beloved NAL, is following the Lord into a new season of life. Stepping into the shoes of such a mighty prayer warrior are Rick and Robin McLaughlin--a powerful and prayerful team, ready lead the Northeast region in mobilizing prayer for America.
From their home in Maine they will encourage and equip prayer leaders throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. Before the Lord led Rick and Robin into this new season, the Spirit was working beyond the scope of things seen to bring the couple ministry connections across New England. Little did they know, these relationships would become key in their new NAL ministry.
“We feel honored that God has given us this shepherding,” Robin said. “We already love the team of NALs, and we are excited to pray in agreement with them and begin understanding the U.S. in a greater, more intimate way.”
Rick and Robin’s ministry of prayer and submission to God begins first in their home, and then extends out into their leadership. “If the Lord leads me in a direction, I always go to Rick first, to have his covering and also the Lord’s,” Robin said. “We have always flowed well together, and the Lord always uses us as a team. We want to be an example for others in showing them the relationship between the bride, the church, and the bridegroom, Christ.”
The couple prioritizes their prayer time before the Lord as a cornerstone of their marriage. In their leadership at events, Robin might be in front of the crows more often, but position in front of others does not determine importance in the relationship or before God. “We were first best friends before we were married,” Rick said. “I’m okay in the background to engage the Lord in prayer, because I know I’m covering my wife in prayer.”
Just as Jesus did not shy away from the non-religious or misguided individuals of His day, the McLaughlins are always ready to share the Gospel and pray for anyone they encounter. They have prayed with drug addicts, leaders wrestling with pride and other couples seeking to model a Biblical marriage. “When you feel the Lord’s heart for people, it is messy, because you’re dealing with undone hearts,” Rick said. “The Lord is redeeming us, and though it is messy, it is very rewarding.”
Rick and Robin operate a building company and own rental property in addition to their ministry responsibilities. “We love to work hard, but at the end of the day, ministry is our favorite,” Robin said. “We find it easier to minister to people in the marketplace—anywhere we go for jobs, we always find somebody in need of prayer.” Rick recalls the Lord moving him to pray while on a construction job re-roofing a school building during the summer. As he moved across the building throughout the day, the Lord moved his heart to pray for the students, teachers and administrators. While this movement of the Spirit happened well before Rick and Robin stepped into NDP leadership, Rick recognizes it as the Lord shaping and preparing his heart to take the next steps in his prayer life and leadership.
“Praying is all about engaging the Father’s heart, then the Spirit leads my heart and I am just repeating prayers back to the Father as I am led,” Rick said.
Please join us in praying for the McLaughlins as they enter a new season of anointed leadership!
Father, we thank you for Rick and Robin, and for their new role as National Area Leaders with this ministry. We praise you that you have prepared and presented them for this critical task of engaging, equipping, and encouraging others to pray, while mobilizing the Northeast United States to mobilize unified public prayer for their communities – and for America. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen!