By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
As estimated 100 people came together to pray for local churches, city government, schools, and the community during an inaugural “One Church Yukon” prayer walk.
Pastors from a group of Yukon churches led church members during the Saturday, Aug. 15 walk sponsored by the Yukon Ministerial Alliance.
“Everyone feels a little incompetent to tackle the big problems that are facing our country, our community and our schools,” said Pastor Ray Rhoton of Bethel Community Church.
“For us as pastors, the most important thing is to put it in perspective that God is in control. And we need to put Him first. He’s the only one that can really change hearts. He’s the only one that can give divine wisdom. Our main focus was to bring attention to God.”
The group prayer walk was simple, sincere and unified as Yukon navigates the challenges of these uncertain times.
There was no political agenda. The event was motivated out of devotion and a focus on God.
“We prayed for wisdom on church leaders, government leaders and school leaders,” said Pastor Tom Arnould of Good News Church.
The One Church Yukon Prayer Walk started at the Yukon First Baptist Church Prayer Garden at Sixth and Main, where Pastor Chad Penner of Canadian Hills Church of the Nazarene led prayers for local churches.
The group then walked east to the parking lot behind Yukon City Hall at Fifth and Main, where Pastor Rhoton led prayers for city government.
Participants then walked south to Yukon Public Schools’ administration building at Sixth and Maple, where Pastor Woody Burpo of Passion Church led prayers for Yukon schools.
The prayer walk ended with a doxology, as participants sang a short hymn of praise to God, led by Pastor Gary Reynolds of Yukon First Church of the Nazarene.
Other pastors and fellow believers who attended were invited to pray during the unified One Church Yukon event.
“For me personally, unity is the most powerful word in the cosmos,” Pastor Rhoton said. “Most of us want to do our own thing, but when we align with others, there’s less chaos.
“The more we can come together and unify, the less chaotic our society will be. And if you can unify under Jesus Christ, there’s nothing that you can’t do!”
