Prayer Service Inspires Unity in McKenzie’s Community

McKENZIE (October 5) — McKenzie’s downtown experienced a busier Sunday night than normal on October 5 as people gathered for a community-wide prayer service at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Dozens decorated McKenzie’s downtown with lawnchairs, all pointed toward the gazebo where various preachers and worship leaders would deliver the Lord’s message to them.

Carlton Townes, event organizer and a senior at McKenzie High School, said the idea to host the event arose a few weeks prior as a message from God, as a way to combat division within the community.

“When I saw so much going on in our world, I talked to God,” Townes said. “I wanted to do something to help our community for the better, so I prayed about it. The idea of a community prayer service just kept popping up in my head.”

Townes wanted to create a stress-free environment, recognizing that some people might feel uncomfortable going to church, feeling like they are being judged by congregants. Townes decided to bring the church to the people, where they didn’t have to dress up or feel exposed.

Townes, with help from some of his mentors, carefully chose the service’s speakers as he believed they represented different generations, backgrounds and denominations.

“Each person I wanted to come speak and pray are those who I knew would move others,” Townes said. “Their prayers are so powerful that people will feel something working in their hearts as soon as they open their mouths and pray…If I could go over and do this again, I would choose the same people over and over.”

Reverend Wilma Pearson of Johnson Temple Methodist Church gave the night’s primary message, preaching the importance of practicing love and unity in a time of division.

Additionally, Greg Barker led the service’s opening prayer; Blake Cossey prayed for God to open the community’s hearts; Craig Hobson prayed over the community; Chad Barnhart prayed for the state, nation and leaders; Jacob Ervin prayed for the schools; and Hunter Herrin prayed for believers to spread the gospel and for the lost to be receptive. Students from McKenzie High School took turns reading scripture. Ervin and Sophie Cole led the community in several worship songs.

As Townes walked around the park, he grew emotional. “I saw different people getting what they needed. I saw people breaking down crying. I saw people just lifting their hands, praising God for the stuff that he’s doing. And I thank God so much for that.”

Townes closed the event with a message of his own, urging attendees to hug those they didn’t know and express their love to everyone gathered. As attendees linked arms, Townes led the final prayer of the night’s service. Following the event, many attendees gathered around Townes and showered him with gratitude for organizing such an event, asking for it to happen more frequently. “We’re gonna see what God tells us to do,” Townes said. “If God says, ‘Do another one,’ we’re gonna do another one.”

He hopes to bring the event back once it grows colder outside. He also hopes to host a similar event in Huntingdon.

“I just think different communities need this. Different communities have that hunger for God in their hearts, and they want to be able to experience this,” Townes said.

Townes considered the Community Prayer Service a major accomplishment, exceeding anything he could have imagined. As his birthday approaches, he said this was the perfect early birthday gift.

“McKenzie came together,” Townes said, “unified, held hands and loved each other. That’s what this was all about for me.”