Local churches come together for flood relief, revival
Some of the participants in a planned citywide revival and fundraiser stand for a photograph at First Baptist Church on Village Drive after a planning meeting on Wednesday. Pictured are (from left) George Wallace, Pastor Steve Davis, Pastor Darrell L. Thomas, Minister Al Armstrong, Pastor Daryl R. Napper, Minister Pamela Mitchell, Lisa Hayes, Pastor Eddie Scott, and Lexington City Schools Board of Education Superintendent Darrick Horton. [Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch]
Just as flood waters have risen in disasters across the state due to Hurricane Florence, more than 20 Lexington churches will unite in anticipation of a wave of citywide revival and relief efforts.
Planning efforts began with Pastor Daryl Napper’s vision to help with hurricane relief through the Baptist convention.
Inspired by Psalms 121:2, the notion of a collective revival began brewing as Napper began to share his vision with the Lexington Community Ministers Conference and city leaders.
“We can do more together than apart,” Napper assured. “I hope to raise no less than $3,000 and be able to send a truckload of non-perishable items and water to assist victims who have been affected by the hurricane.”
Revival events will take place at First Baptist Church on 210 Village Drive on Oct. 16-18 at 7 p.m. Intercessory prayer begins at 6 each night along with a daily prayer line that will open at noon each day. For those seeking prayer, the phone number is (302) 202-1118 and use PIN 48469.
Nightly revival speakers on Oct. 16, Tuesday: Bishop James Woodson, Home of Fresh Start of Greensboro. On Oct. 17, Wednesday: Pastor Gloria Samuels of Greater Commission Community Church of Winston-Salem and on Oct. 18, Thursday: Dr. Nathan Scovens, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem. Items for the truck, including child and adult diapers, water and non-perishable food items can be dropped off from 5–7 p.m. daily at Servant’s House at 601 Cotton Grove Rd. or Life In The Word on 176 Meadow Dr.
Mayor Newell Clark and other members of the Lexington City Council have assisted with planning the relief endeavor.
“Rev. Napper reached out to me with an idea to help support folks from the eastern part of the state, as they work to rebuild their lives from this terrible disaster,” said Clark. “I appreciate Rev. Napper, all the ministers and others helping to organize an event to help bring some relief to our fellow North Carolinians.”
Pastor Arnetta Beverly of St. Stephen United Methodist Church welcomes the show of unity.
“I think it’s great that the clergy of Lexington has seen the need for sisters and brothers of all denominations and persuasions to come together to hear the word of God through the spoken word and through song,” she said. “I pray this will be a successful venture in the life of Lexington and Davidson County.”
Participating churches include: Buncombe Baptist, Deliverance Tabernacle, Ezekiel AME Zion, First Baptist Church of Village Drive, Files Chapel Baptist Church, Lexington Christian Fellowship, Life in the Word, New Deliverance Worship Center, New Faith Worship Center, New Jersey AME Zion, New Hope Holiness, New Life Worship Center, New Smith Grove Baptist, Oak Grove Baptist, Old Smith Grove Baptist, Saint Stephen United Methodist, Servant House Ministries, Salem Baptist, Shady Side Presbyterian, Union Baptist, Union Chapel AME Zion, United Baptist, Wings Of A Dove and Yadkin Star Baptist.
This series of events is slated to be one of the largest city-wide Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
“As North Carolinians we understand, all too well, the destruction a hurricane can cause. As a community, Lexington was spared any major long-term damage,” Clark offered. “I know the preparation our staff and people put into the work to be ready for the storm and since we were spared - we clearly know we need to help others. Because it could have been us, needing assistance.”
For those seeking to help with financial contributions, kindly make checks payable to United in Christ Fellowship (with Citywide Revival in the memo line) or CashApp $UNF210.