Faith community kicks off new year with prayer service
Published 10:18 am Tuesday, January 7, 2020
For more than a decade, Clark County’s faith community has gathered at the start of each new year to lift the community up in prayer.
This year, the tradition continued with the community prayer service at Grace Bible Church Saturday morning.
During the service, local government, faith and organization leaders took turns praying for various segments of the community.
Clark County Judge-Executive Chris Pace opened the service with a call to not only pray for those we love, but those we disagree with as well.
“It’s easy to pray for our children, our families and those who think like us,” he said. “I challenge you to also pray for those you disagree with.”
Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner said the service has been held for 14 years, and started as a collaboration by him and former judge-executive Henry Branham.
Guest speakers during the ceremony included the Rev. Jim Trimble praying for schools, students, teachers, staff, administrators and parents; Clark County Homeless Coalition Executive Director Terry Davidson praying for volunteers, churches, non-profits and help groups; the Rev. Raymond Smith praying for the courts, jail, fire, EMS, law enforcement and first responders; the Rev. William Newell praying for the military, including active duty, retired, veterans and reservists; Dickie Everman praying for those in distress; and the Rev. Don Stanley praying for elected officials, appointed officials and civil government.
Burtner gave the closing prayer, which included prayer requests from several members of the crowd, and the Rev. Lee Cruse, pastor of Grace Bible Church, gave the benediction.