More than 100 people joined hands in prayer in the courtyard between
the historic and new courthouses Saturday morning. People from all walks
of life, ages and races joined together in Lancaster’s first citywide
Unity Prayer Rally.Community churches and spiritual leaders brought a message of hope and healing from the sanctuary to the streets. The two-hour event stretched well into a third hour, but no one seemed in a hurry to leave.
“We are not going home the same. Revival is here,” rally organizer Apostle Ollie Alexander proclaimed. “A change has taken place.”
The crowd fell silent as Javier Robles raised the shofar to his lips and blew into the oldest wind instrument known since biblical times. The shofar is made from a ram’s horn and its sound signifies repentance and the awakening of the soul.
“I feel good when I sound it. The Holy Spirit comes to me and that is how I blow it,” Robles said. “Straight from God. Straight from the Holy Spirit.”
The Unity Choir, led by Pamela Ingram, with voices blended from 33 congregations, sang soothing hymns while ministers shared their messages.
The recent heat and humidity were absent in the early summer morning where a constant refreshing breeze was blowing. Some stood with both arms stretched to the sky and some knelt. Some swayed in silence with their eyes closed as tears streamed down their cheeks as they fervently prayed.
My Hope changing world
My Hope of Lancaster, an affiliate of My Hope with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), offered Bibles in English and Spanish. The Rev. Martin Crosthwaite of BGEA, opened the rally by declaring all believers Christians, shunning any divisive labels.
“My only title is Christian. Let’s not put ourselves in a box,” Crostwaite said. “If I say I am one, then I need to act like it.”
He held up his Bible and said he was here to ask people to do the work because it changes lives.
Crosthwaite introduced his friend, Terrance Gallman, a parolee who served 12 years of a 27-year sentence.
Gallman said he had to learn to do things differently if he wanted a different life. He said he humbled himself and joined with those walking a more peaceful path. He now travels with Crosthwaite giving his testimony and encouraging leaders to reach out to the young in their community.
Gallman said My Hope is changing the world one community at a time. He implored Lancaster leaders to share the message of hope and change with the young in the community, “who don’t know another way until someone shows them.”
Some spoke their messages, while others delivered theirs in song. Evelyn Delgadillo, of Centro Cristiano Luz y Verdad, sang “This is the Air I Breathe,” first in Spanish and then in English.
Greater power needed
Lancaster’s spiritual and secular leaders came together with a shared understanding that a power greater than them is needed to heal the community.
“I think this is a great thing. If we are going to make things better, it is going to be because of things like this,” Sheriff Barry Faile said.
City of Lancaster Mayor John Howard and Lancaster County Councilman Brian Carnes proclaimed the third Saturday of June as a day of prayer.
“My personal prayer is that this will be the cornerstone, the beginning of the healing in Lancaster County,” Howard said.
Both quoted the classic Hezekiah Walker gospel song, “I Need You.”
“We all have found out and we know that we are a part of something greater than we are,” Carnes said.
Powerful messages
The ministers spoke in their own unique ways – from the soft-spoken Rev. Lloyd Reid of St. Paul Church to the fiery Rev. Marvin Tennant of SC Fire and Christian Assembly Church.
Reid, with his white hair blowing in the breeze, said he had been saved for almost 60 years.
“ As long as God directs your path, you will not go wrong,” Reid said.
Tennant proclaimed revival is here and revival is now. He added humor to his message.
Scanning the diverse congregation, he said, “I see salt, pepper, oregano and salsa.”
“I like a little spice in my food,” Tennant said, as everyone laughed.
He said the crowd gave him a little view of what heaven is like.
Apostle Mamie Wilson of Resurrection of Life Ministries delivered a powerful message filled with a rocking rhythm in what felt like one big breath.
“You already healed us and delivered us. We are the prosperous, not the broken. We are not without hope. One city under God with liberty and justice for all,” Wilson proclaimed.
One man shouted, “Thank you, Lord, we don’t summon you, Lord! You summon us! Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah!”
Participants awed
City Administrator Flip Hutfles and deputy auditor Susan Hunter Wallace were among those enjoying the day.
“I think this is one of the most beautiful things that I have seen in downtown Lancaster. I feel so blessed to be here,” Hunter Wallace said. “And I am so proud to live in such a community that comes together for Jesus.”
Members of Faith, Hope and Victory church were wearing T-shirts with a big superhero-styled “G” on the front.
“It’s the G-Force, recognizing the power of God that is greater than anything we could ever do or think because we are nothing without it,” Tammara Johnson said. “We want the world to know there is a greater force inside all of us. That is the only reason we exist.”
Everyone seemed to be grateful for the day to come together and pray for peace and unity.
“I think this is awesome,” Lancaster resident Ebony Mitchell said. “It is so amazing that we are all coming together as one to serve God, who has always been One, and to let the world know who He is.”
“I feel like this is an answered prayer to this town. Jesus is letting us know we have been forgiven and He is restoring our city and it’s time to plant new seeds, so we can have a new and better harvest,” said Minister Julia Truesdale with My Hope of Lancaster.
“The fervent prayer of the righteous has been heard.”
Karen Hartley said she attended a similar prayer rally in Columbia and was glad to attend one in her hometown.
“This is awesome. I think it is wonderful that the people are pulling together, the leadership and the pastors,” she said. “This is what we need.”
By the end, everyone was holding hands and singing.
By the end, everyone was holding hands and singing.
“I love it,” Concepcion Guevara said. “I think it is absolutely gorgeous what the Lord is doing in our community and I think everyone is enjoying it. This will bring us together – all of us.”
Contact Mandy Catoe at (803) 283-1152
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