Posted: 02/08/2013 at 8:21am | IP Logged

WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) -- An urgent prayer alert has been issued for Native American Christian leader, Dr. Richard Twiss, who suffered a "major heart attack" while visiting Washington, DC., to attend a series of meetings around the National Prayer Breakfast in the nation's capital.

Richard & Katherine Twiss, Co-Founders of Wiconi International

The prayer request came from Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher of The Elijah List and Breaking Christian News, who said, "I just found out today (Thursday, February 7, 2013) that my friend Richard Twiss suffered a major heart attack yesterday while in Washington DC.

"Please keep him and his family in prayer at this time as he is in ICU on support systems and the next few days are critical for him."

Twiss, who Schultz described as a "mighty warrior", is President and co-founder of Wiconi International www.wiconi.com), a group based in Vancouver, Washington state, that provides education, encouragement and offer practical support to Native American families and communities.

"Richard had emergency surgery to clear a blood clot in a main heart artery and is currently on support systems for his heart and lungs," said Schultz. "The next 48-72 hours are critical."

According to Wiconi International's Facebook page, "He is in the ICU after a long night of intense surgery and being closely watched by a team of medical staff all night. It is still too soon to say anything solid for sure, due to this being a very delicate time frame. All we know for sure is that God is in control. Keep Praying. More updates to come."

Wiconi International says that it is committed to "Creating opportunities for the betterment of our Native People and Communities through advancing education, culture, family and spirituality - in the Spirit of Jesus."

Richard is a widely traveled and popular speaker, activist, educator, author and networker among innovative thinkers within the Native North American and Indigenous community internationally.

Born in 1954, Richard holds a doctorate in inter-cultural studies (cultural anthropology, primal and folk religions and the history of Christian mission) from Asbury Theological Seminary.

You can help his family with financial needs for lodging, airfare, etc. by donating here or: http://www.wiconi.com/?cid=1229.

To check for regular updates on Richard's condition go to Wiconi International's Ministry's Facebook page -- www.Facebook.com/pages/Wiconi-International/217872990129?ref =ts&fref=ts.

Also check out The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News at www.elijahlist.com and www.breakingchristiannews.com

Source: Assist News Service