Richmond County churches, school leaders pray for safe, successful year

Eleven years ago, Vonnie Gilmer envisioned churches uniting to pray for the beginning of a new school year.

This vision came to life as it began with only a handful of people attending the first year as they gathered at L.J. Bell School one Sunday afternoon and walked the campus. The next year, there were more who joined the prayer walk, and each year it continued to grow.

The ROC Church of God of Prophecy in Rockingham hosted the event, which takes place each year on the Saturday before school starts, on Aug. 24.

The initial meeting began at 9 a.m. and would follow with groups of people going out to all Richmond County Schools — public and private — to pray for the safety of the children and staff. There were also prayers for souls to be saved as well as revival.

All Richmond County churches are invited to attend each year; there were 25 churches represented this year. More than 200 people attended the event including staff members representing 15 schools, Richmond County Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Farrell, two assistant superintendents, and three school board members. Attendees ate breakfast and fellowshipped before the meeting.

“As the old saying goes, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work — this is my wife’s dream,” said Pastor Steve Gilmer welcoming the crowd and acknowledging the school personnel and other clergy in attendance. “We are stronger together. Pyramids are built from the bottom up, and I thank the Lord for the foundation of our schools, the teachers, the administration, and all the staff.”

Vonnie Gilmer stepped up to speak, thanking the Lord for blessing the prayer walk so abundantly as well as thanking all who made it possible and all who were in attendance.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we had to just move it to the Cole Auditorium?” she asked. “God does great things with small beginnings. I believe you are here because you are people of prayer.

“All facets of the school are very important; when one link breaks down, the whole day is affected,” Vonnie Gilmer continued. “There is a whole lot that goes into each school day. Our superintendent has a lot of responsibility, and we are so glad he has come to Richmond County.

“I have seen and heard more from him than I have from any superintendent that I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked in three different counties. When I sent the invitation to him there was no hesitancy, he said ‘I’ll be there;’ we appreciate him.”

The superintendent spoke next, thanking the Richmond County Board of Education and his staff for their support.

“It’s hard to believe it’s already another school year,” Ferrell said. “They always told me the older I got, the faster they would come.”

Ferrell said he wanted to add safety and security for the staff and students to the prayer list.

“I’ve also added … that our students are fed, well-rested, and cared for so when they arrive at our doors that we can do our work to make sure they are receiving the best education possible.”

Ferrell mentioned how different it is now being a teacher, and the things they are dealing with that many years ago weren’t factors. He also asked for prayer regarding a few new procedures and wisdom for all involved.

“I ask for prayer that I will make the school system the best it can be for our students and for our teachers and staff,” Ferrell said

In humor, Ferrell took a moment to mention prayer for a winning football season as well. He also spoke of prayer for the many changes at Richmond Senior High school in the areas of a new principal, a fairly new football coach, and a new athletic director. He then thanked everyone for their support and for being there to participate in praying for all the schools.

The ROC Student Ministries Pastor Toni Hodges was next to take the stage as she also opened with thanking everyone.

She spoke on the importance of guarding our hearts, then began reciting scripture from Proverbs 4:20-27 and said, “There is a song I grew up singing in children’s church that said, ‘“’Oh be careful little eyes what you see.’

“Proverbs is loaded with wisdom, and right here in chapter four we are given priceless pieces of wisdom for our everyday living. We are told to fix our eyes on what God has for us, but what does that look like for our students, teachers, parents, and grandparents?

“Your friends, your circle, and who you are influenced by matters. In this room today in what we are trying to accomplish, we have all of heaven cheering us on; this is a God thing. It is beyond denomination; it is for our students and school systems, and we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus. Going back to that church song, ‘Oh be careful little eyes what you see’ if we look at the world around us, it is easy to take our eyes off of Jesus. All throughout the scriptures we are told to focus on Him.”

Hodges went on to say knowing the word of God and keeping it in our heart is the only way we can overcome the obstacles in this world, and we help the youth by the standards we live before them.

“They are constantly watching us; we are an influence on them either good or bad,” said Hodges. “Every child is worth the sacrifices made to ensure they know without a doubt that they are loved and deeply cared for.”

In closing, Vonnie Gilmer went over each school with attendees to make sure they would all be covered during the prayer walk. Immediately following, the pastor closed with a prayer, then the song “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West played as everyone ventured out to each one of their assigned schools to pray.

For more information on the yearly prayer walk, contact The ROC Church Church of God of Prophecy in Rockingham.