Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Even with a misty rain and a chill in the air, many still chose to join the forces of their faith and gather for the inaugural Hands Across Craig County for Christ event.
Approximately 75 people of various church denominations and beliefs gathered at the Craig Valley Baptist Church picnic shelter on Sunday, September 9, to share their one common denominator – their belief that agreement in prayer has power.
As vehicle after vehicle kept driving into the large field, one could see the countenance on the face of Dorcas Martin light up. Martin originally had a passion to be a ‘doer’ of what she believed, hoping others would join, and many did.
The plans were to meet at the shelter at 1 p.m. for a potluck lunch and then have an afternoon of prayer and songs of praise to Jesus Christ.
Don Ford and Reverend Steve McNally led the attendees in prayer and worship songs. One song, in particular, spoke to the reason of the afternoon meeting: “We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we will walk hand in hand.”
Everyone went through the line at least once to get their food; some even went for seconds. A variety of desserts were also offered. Said one lady with a smile, “No one went hungry.”
Martin began the afternoon with a story of her personal convictions and a gracious appreciation to all who helped make the afternoon a success.
Don asked people to think about others in the community who needed prayer. “We are one body who has gathered here to worship, praise and have fellowship,” he said. Many names were spoken aloud, and a corporate prayer was led by Pastor Gary Burch.
Ike Craft, who led the music, was joined by Jennifer Crawford on the electric piano and others who performed with their own instruments.
Some of the songs performed include: Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord, Amazing Grace, Love Lifted Me, I’ll Fly Away, I Saw The Light, Kneel at the Cross, In the Garden, I Need Thee Every Hour and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
The songs were intended to be reminders of what everyone was there for as well as an uplift to everyone’s spirit.
The last song performed was, They will Know we are Christians by our Love.
Martin is already planning for next year’s event.
“Considering the weather, I thought we had a great turnout and hopefully those that were there will tell others what they missed so we can have a bigger turnout on the second time around,” she said. “I was so very happy to see attendees meeting new people and everyone coming together as one.”
She added that she believes people need to keep “being as one and keep Christ’s name in the forefront to combat some of this evil that’s in the world today.”
Martin extended a special thanks to the ladies of her Wednesday Morning Bible Study. “They gave me the encouragement and assisted from the start,” she said.
Dorcas also wished to thank all the representatives from the various churches for their assistance including the Craig County Community Church, the volunteers who worked tirelessly and a “very special thanks” to Ken Looney for handling the setup and parking.
“To Ike Craft, there are no words that can really thank him for selecting the songs and working with us to make sure the music came off without a hitch,” Martin said. “And last but not least, to Donn Ford for agreeing to be our emcee and the Crossroads Church’s Crossroads Strings and Chorus who practiced so faithfully.”
Dorcas’ vision is to continue to hope and pray that this type of event will spread across the state and perhaps even the country. “We need him more and more every day,” she said. “Everyone I spoke to said they enjoyed getting together, the food and the music.”
