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'Outstanding Response' Greets Unity Service
BY: CASSIE TARPLEY
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. —
When Dr. Tony Campolo spoke five years ago at the Cleveland County
Family YMCA Prayer Breakfast, his closing statement was, “I want you
to be agents of God’s revolution in this community.”
The revolution is happening, say organizers of the third annual Racial
Unity Service set for Sunday, when Campolo returns, perhaps to check
the progress.
Hundreds are expected to attend the 5 p.m. service on the campus of
Gardner-Webb University.
“The response has been outstanding,” said spokesman Walter Miller.
“We have a pastors’ gathering at 4 o’clock and I’ve been using that as
a barometer. What I’ve noticed is that there are a lot of people not
on the Unity Team list who are coming.”
One event doesn’t define a revolution, said Miller, assistant to the
president at Gardner-Webb University and the coordinator for the Unity
Team, which is sponsoring the service.
“From day one, this Unity Team has not been about a single large event
like is happening on Sunday, but has been of the business of daily
one-by-one, life-changing experiences,” Miller said.
Mainly a movement of Christian ministers, the Unity Team was founded
by the Rev. Clinton Feemster of Kings Mountain and Dr. Marvin Gobble
of Shelby. Members include the Revs. William Thompson, James Smith,
Luke Harkey, Jose Espinal, Billy Houze, John Houze and Kitty Rankin,
and Drs. John Boggs, Jeff Patterson and Carroll Page.
Miller said members emphasize “that this can’t be done without the
laity.”
“Racial unity doesn’t happen at one large event, but happens as we eat
together, pray together, do Bible study together, visit is one
another’s houses,” he said. “I think the Unity Team has taken on that
mantle of being revolutionary in their daily walk. This team has been
intentional about building relationships.”
Campolo, an internationally known author, speaker and teacher, is the
keynote speaker at the service.
Campolo’s topics, Miller said, focus on “social justice issues,
getting out of our complacent Christianity, doing things in the
community.”
One pair noted for their community work will be honored during the
service.
For setting the example for unity between blacks and whites, former
City Councilman the Rev. Sam Raper and former Shelby Mayor Les Roark
will be presented with the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order
of the Longleaf Pine.
“Because of their work in community relations, especially with racial
relations, Mayor Ted Alexander thought that tied in well with this
service. The Unity Team agreed that they represent the work that we
are trying to do, and they did it in unfriendlier times.”
Date published: 3/04/2005
link to article in The Shelby Star
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