This praise team "warms-up" in the intense heat at Pacific Park, Sunday afternoon.


Juneteenth Celebration
Embraces All Faiths


by: Bobby McDonald

Faith, food, and fellowship was the order of the day as local residents assembled in Pacific Park, on Sunday afternoon, for the annual Juneteeth Celebration, sponsored by the Hopkins County Christian Alliance. The event, which was started last year, embraces all faiths and promotes the general understanding of all cultures in the greater Hopkins County area.

These worshipers found a "shady" place beneath the canopy at the H.W. Grays Building to keep
cool, as they listened to Christian music.


The East Caney Baptist Church Praise Team lends their voices in song, on Sunday afternoon.

Rev. M. LaVelle Hendricks, Pastor of the East Caney Baptist Church and one of the organizers, served as the Master of Ceremonies, as he introduced a number of local pastors and praise teams from area churches.

Rev. M. LaVelle Hendricks, right, introduces Jeff Jenkins, minister at Shannon Oaks Church, as he
is joined by his children, before offering a prayer.


Friend enjoyed visiting between songs and times of worship.

 

From Christian Biker Groups to community outreach programs, residents of all faiths brought their lawn chairs and enjoyed the worship and praise time. Then, all entered the H.W. Grays Building for a time of fellowship with finger foods.

And, isn't that C.J. Duffey at the front of the food line?


Sunday night worshipers brought their lawn chairs and assembled for some great fellowship and
music, at Pacific Park.

Keynote speaker of the night was strongman, Steve Carrier, who delivered a message of hope and unity to the group assembled.

Keynote speaker, Steve Carrier, visits with some of the crowd, following his message on Sunday night.

 

"It is great for people from all faiths and all cultures to get together and to really see just how much alike everyone that professes to be a Christian, really is," exclaimed Hendricks. "After all, if we're all headed for the same place, we must certainly learn to get along here on earth!"

Mayor Freddie Taylor was on-hand to make certain that everything at Pacific Park was in order.


These children found time to play a little basketball, despite the heat, as the water spray fountains in
the background look awfully inviting!

"Juneteenth is a traditional African American Holiday," explained Hendricks. "It celebrates when the slaves in Texas got the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, but we want to promote understanding between all cultures and have made a concerted effort to invite everyone to the celebration!"

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