Church leaders, residents gather to pray for Danville in the New Year

City church leaders and residents gather for a prayer rally Thursday morning on the steps of City Hall, thanking God for the New Year and asking him to heal the broken hearts, families and economy of Danville. About 100 people braved the cold weather to attend the event, which was started by the Rev. Larry Campbell of Bibleway Worldwide Church in 1985 to promote unity among Danville’s churches.

By: John Crane | GoDanRiver.com
Published: January 02, 2009

Church leaders from across Danville held a prayer rally on the steps of City Hall on Thursday morning, asking God to deliver jobs to Danville, heal broken families and mend broken hearts.

Local religious figures also expressed thanks to God for “bringing us to 2009” and prayed for the city, the school system, local churches and for Barack Obama, who takes office Jan. 20 as the nation’s first black president.

About 100 people braved the stinging cold for the event that was started and organized by the Rev. Larry Campbell of Bibleway Worldwide Church.

Attendees started the rally by singing “God Bless Danville” to the tune of “God Bless America,” before leaders from several churches delivered prayers.

The Rev. James Stewart from Mount Carmel Baptist Church prayed for Danville, while Living Word Ministry Church Pastor Loretta Murray prayed for the family unit, asking God to mend broken hearts.

She asked God to bless the man, or husband, who is “the head of the family,” and the woman, or wife, who is the “housekeeper.”

Asia Williams, Miss Black Teenage Danville & Pittsylvania County, said a prayer for youth, Bishop Arthur Linder from Mount Sinai Glorious Church prayed for Danville’s jobs and businesses. The Rev. Jermaine Parker from Smith Chapel Baptist Church prayed for the education system and Bishop Ray Stevens from Bibleway said a prayer for the unity of churches.

Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders cited jobs, city utility bill relief, health, public safety and education as areas needing improvements. They shouldn’t be looked at as problems but as chances to make pro-gress, he said.

“We do not have problems, but we do have opportunities,” Saunders said.

After the event, Campbell said he began the annual New Year prayer rally in 1985 to promote unity among the city’s churches “to bring churches together in ecumenical spirit.”

Campbell said he’d like to see more jobs and improved economic conditions in Danville.

“Danville is a microcosm of the country today,” he said. “We need employment.”

Campbell also expressed hope that Obama would improve the country’s economic situation.

• Contact John R. Crane at jcrane@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7987.