MANSFIELD — While Richland County’s first dry spell last week brought fire watch alerts and valuable time for farmers to plant seed, National Day of Prayer organizers were caught off guard Thursday when isolated storms dumped rain leading to a change in location from the outdoor Central Park Gazebo to the friendly confines of First English Lutheran.
To Reverend El Akuchie, Coordinator with the Richland Community Prayer Network, every cloud has a silver lining. Reflecting on the heavy rain, Akuchie quoted from Hosea 6:3: “If we press on to know the LORD, He will come to us like the spring rain.”
Senior Josh Johnson, who serves as sound technician with Mansfield Christian’s Image Choir helped lead the transition team from outdoors to indoors. Johnson commented, “I have been a part of IMAGE Choir participating in the National Day of Prayer for four years. Every year I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and this was the best yet!”
Directed by Heidi Zentz, IMAGE Choir generated electricity for the 150 who attended the noonday prayer event, providing a number of inspirational songs like “Cornerstone,” and “You Deserve the Glory.” Music artists Chloe Reel and Tenor Caleb Hignite both sang solos and Nicolas Kelley provided piano accompaniment.
According to keynote speaker Reverend Doug Abner, during his community’s breakthrough against drug addiction, hundreds of students at his county’s high school for seven consecutive years would have prayer and worship every day for the first fifteen minutes of the school day.
Abner now has a ministry called the “Appalachian Centre for Transformation” that goes around the nation sharing the story of Manchester, Kentucky.
“Desperate prayer led to desperate actions,” said Abner who saw his community go from “Painkiller Capital of America,” to City of Hope. “God chose a place you would least expect that was poor to demonstrate His power.”
According to Abner, the turning point was when twenty-percent of the county turned out for a march against drugs during cold and rainy weather on May 2, 2004 to take a stand.
Reverend Doug Abner, Appalachian Centre for Transformation
“I believe that Richland County, Ohio is a national model for clergy and community leaders coming together for the betterment of their community. If revival can happen in Clay County, Kentucky, it could surely happen in Richland County, Ohio.”
“I believe that Richland County, Ohio is a national model for clergy and community leaders coming together for the betterment of their community. If revival can happen in Clay County, Kentucky, it could surely happen in Richland County, Ohio.”
Throughout the county-wide observance, local clergy led prayer for government and society.
Rev. Henry Bradley of New Community Temple COGIC led a prayer of repentance, and Rev. James Hill of Paradise Freewill Baptist facilitated prayer for elected officials in attendance along with clergy from twenty local congregations.
Rev. William Crank of Cornerstone Freewill Baptist also prayed for national and state government, Rev. David Howell of Power House Worship Center interceded for schools and churches, and Akuchie prayed for protection for the law enforcement.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Elected officials attending included: State Representative Mark Romanchuk, Commissioners Marilyn John and Tony Vero, Mayors Timothy Theaker and Randy Hutchinson, Sheriff Steve Sheldon, Prosecutor Gary Bishop, Law Director, John Spon, City Council Garnetta Pender, and Trustee Bob Entennman.
According to Pastor Hill, “this gathering will not be soon forgotten. To see our political and spiritual leaders come together for the same cause was remarkable. The sky is the limit on what GOD can do in our community!”
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Ephesians Four, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
View video of 2018 National Day of Prayer keynote speaker Doug Abner.
