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Event draws people to pray for city
By BOB JACKSON
YOUNGSTOWN
It could have been a scene lifted from a Hollywood movie about the Old West, with duelers starting the long walk at the end of town to meet in the middle for a high-noon showdown.
But the people who converged in the center of Youngstown on Saturday weren’t there to engage in violence, but to pray for an end to it.
“We believe God is going to do something major in our city, and I believe this is the beginning of it,” said 60-year-old Mary Savage of Poland.
“That’s why I’m here.”
The event was called Converge On Youngstown, and the goal was to draw as many people as possible to meet at the heart of the city and pray. Taking a cue from 1 Chronicles 9 in the Bible, participants began walking at noon from locations on the four sides of Youngstown and met in the central square where a prayer service took place.
They prayed for peace and an end to violence, for economic growth and prosperity, for an end to prejudice and freedom from addictions. They prayed for fathers, mothers and children, for marriages, for the schools and for spiritual revival.
“This is not a political movement, and this is not a protest,” said Pastor JoAnn Pangio of Abundant Harvest Church in Austintown, who organized the event. “This is the people of God moving in the power of God to bless our city today.”
The group from the East Side, which had begun its walk at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church on Garland Avenue, was the first to arrive, getting to the square at 12:30 sharp. Pastor Carl Anderson of Greater Liberty Baptist Church said the walkers were met with support from passersby.
“People supported what we are doing, and that is taking back the city,” Pastor Anderson said. “We are taking back the things the devil has taken from us.”
The other groups, coming from the north, south and west sides, all arrived within four minutes of one another. Each group walked about a mile to get to Central Square.
As they converged, they were met with cheers from those already at the square, and they came with shouts of victory and praise. All told, about 250 people gathered once all the groups arrived. There were faces of all races, representing 24 churches from greater Youngstown.
About a dozen people who were unable to make the walk had driven downtown and also were waiting.
Among them was 86-year-old Lillian Joseph of Youngstown, who had fully intended to make the walk, but decided to take a ride when one was offered to her by Savage, who was unable to make the walk because of a hip injury.
“I’m here because I love the Lord,” said Joseph, a native of the West Indies who came to the United States on July 4, 1970. “So many things are happening, but only God can make a change.”
Cindy Stalnaker of Boardman, 48, said she was intrigued by the idea that the event included people and churches from the suburbs, but focused on Youngstown.
“No matter what suburb you live in, Youngstown is the center of our community,” said Stalnaker, who marched with the group that came from the South Side. “There is so much good, so much potential, so much to offer here. As Youngstown goes, so goes the suburbs.”
Among those who took the microphone to lead prayer was Sgt. Chuck Swanson, a 25-year veteran of the Youngstown Police Department, who prayed for police officers and an end to crimes of violence.
“We call them crimes, but what they actually are, are sins,” Swanson said. “We call it homicide, but God says ‘Thou shall not kill.’”
Swanson said he takes his Christian faith to work with him daily and has built a reputation as a cop who cares.
“I’ve gone into domestic-dispute situations and prayed with people,” he said. “I let people know that there is a God who loves them. He has people in every place and in every situation, and He is still in control.”
Mary Johns, 58, of Poland, said she hopes Saturday’s event was only the beginning of a stronger movement toward peace and Christian involvement.
“There is definitely a call for God to come into this city and do great things for it,” Johns said. “God has not taken his hand off this city.”