Woonsocket faces big challenges these days ranging from financial and economic to conspicuous accounts of violence, and Calvary Worship Center's Herson Gonzlez hopes to unite the city to overcome them with a Day of Prayer Saturday.
Gonzalez said at least 16 area churches have signed on to join him and his parishioners at River Island Park at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, though everyone is invited. "We're trying to join the entire community together for this thing," Gonzalez said.
Churches are still signing on for the event, Gonzalez said. He's heard from close to 20 churches in Woonsocket who've expressed interest in participating. Gonzalez said the number of churches in the city is surprising. "I'm a little surprised myself, and you know what? The funny part is, I haven't gotten to everyone yet."
Gonzalez credits Mayor Leo Fontaine with the idea, and while the day falls nine days before the coming Nov. 5 election, Herson, a supporter of the Mayor, says the event isn't political. Herson said he'd originally hoped to do the Day of Prayer during the summer, but coordinating with all the city's churches proved too difficult to do that soon.
Herson hopes to bring as many people out on Saturday as possible to focus on solving he City's problems from a religious perspective. "We will pray and thank God for his gracious providence throughout our many years. We will pray over city officials, we will pray over our wonderfully diverse populous, we will pray for spiritual and economic revival and we will pray for forgiveness over our collective and corporate sins," according to a release posted to Woonsocket Patch.
"We really believe that this kind of united prayer can turn God in our favor," Herson said.
People or organizations interested in participating may call 401-762-0102 or email us at WoonsocketDayOfPrayer@Gmail.com.
Churches signed up for the Day of Prayer:
Harvest Community Church
Monte Calvario Assemblies
St. James Baptist Church
Apostolic Pentecostal Church of RI
The River United Methodist
First Assemblies Of God
Church of the Acts
All Saints Catholic Community
St. Charles Borromeo Church
Calvary Worship Center
Church of all Nations of God in Christ
Casa De Esperanza
Iglesia Restaurada En La Fe
Grace Family Worship Center
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Mi
First Baptist Church
Iglesia Misionera Jehova Yireh
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