Over a month ago, our beloved City of Brookhaven was rocked once again by a senseless tragedy. A young lady, who was loved and admired by those around her, lost her life. The news of this incident devastated our community.

While I was trying to process this situation, I began praying to the Lord. He gave me a vision to call our community together. He gave me this vision on a Tuesday, and I only had two days to accomplish what I was instructed to do.

I contacted the appropriate people, and without hesitation I was  granted to host a prayer vigil at Alexander Jr. High School. I had a very short time frame to publicize this even. So, I first turned to social media. Later, I was contacted by The Daily Leader and WJTV Channel 12. Through these sources, the request for all the community to come together was quickly made public.

The prayer vigil evolved into something very massive and very powerful. It was simply a movement to have a city, county and state come together. By the grace of God, that is exactly what happened. For those of you who were present, you have a testimony to the movement of the Holy Spirit that occurred. It was a feeling that cannot be described in words alone.

I would like to say thank you to everyone that attended and participated. I was speechless when I looked out and saw ministers, pastors, law enforcement, community leaders, state leaders, etc. It was so awesome, that on short notice, people from all walks of life came together with one purpose in mind. That purpose was to pray for change and to encourage the citizens of our community.

Not everyone in attendance accepted a physical part on stage because no one actually knew they were going to be asked to pray or speak. Some chose to participate by sitting in the audience clapping, singing and witnessing the power of God.

To those that came on stage and prayed very powerful prayers and gave words of support that were simply phenomenal, I would like to say thank you. You helped make the prayer vigil memorable. At a time in our society when it may appear that no one is interested in anything other than themselves, it was refreshing to see so many people gathered for a special cause. It was also very special to see our elected officials come out and be with the people who put them in the positions that they are in.

In spite of all that has happened in the past seven months, something good still evolved out of the hardships and tragedies that our community has endured. God brought us together with no personal agendas. He brought us together as one community, one city, one state and one body. To our most excellent God, we say “Thank you.”

P.S. All the same public leaders were personally invited to be a part of a march for peace that was in the process of being organized the following weekend.

 

Pastor Phillip Sterling

Grace Community Church