Prayer rally for Youngstown schools set for Sunday downtown

YOUNGSTOWN

A prayer rally focusing on the needs of the children of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is planned for Sunday downtown.

Organizers will announce this morning at the Nathaniel Jones Federal Courthouse in downtown Youngstown that Pastor Gary Frost with the It’s About the Children unity campaign hopes the event will ease the tension surrounding the development of a new operational structure within Youngstown City Schools.

The prayer rally will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday on the steps of the Nathaniel Jones Federal Courthouse in downtown Youngstown.

“The current crisis in the Youngstown City School District is symptomatic of deeper issues that plague our Valley,” Frost wrote in organizing material for the rally. “The religious community brings much to the conversation regarding these matters. However, our greatest contribution is our faith in God and in His power to heal and restore.”

During the rally, local clergy members will lead a community empowerment prayer, and music and dance presentations by Gail Nevels, Lindsay Renea Dance Theatre and other artists also are planned.

The primary focus of the event is the well-being of local children. Though teachers, clergy, union and government officials are expected to be present at the rally, none of these people will speak or be personally identified.

“We welcome the support and participation of community leaders, organizations, and the single individual who recognize the need for prayer and share the desire to serve,” Frost said.

“For all of our endeavors and partnerships, we will exercise godly discretion, so as to never lose sight of our single most important commitment and cause: It’s about the children.”

For more information about It’s About the Children and the upcoming events, email ItsTheChildrenTeam@gmail.com, Pastor Gary Frost at gfrost@namb.net or community relations coordinator Debórah Benton, at Repdbenton@an.edu or dbenton@an.edu.