When Prayer Moved A Town To Unity

News spread around Warsaw, Indiana in April 1999 that the Klu Klux Klan (KKK) was going to have a rally at the Kosciusko County Courthouse on Saturday, May 8th. A few leaders gathered to discuss how the city should respond. The first action was to pray and encourage everyone to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Out of that prayer meeting Randy Packer, President of the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association (GWMA) along with Pastors John B Lowe II, Chad Burkhart and Joe Banks to name a few began calling around town to gather the community together for an event that eventually would be called “Cultures, Community and Christ”.

“CCC” was sponsored by the GWMA in cooperation with Grace College & Seminary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, Warsaw Community School Corp. & Warsaw Community Development Corporation. It was held Friday, May 7th on the night before at Center Lake Park. Randy Packer noted that the celebration would, "make a positive statement about our cultural diversity and the reconciliation through Christ that makes that possible." During the gathering everyone was asked to stay away from the Klan Rally the next day as they closed in prayer, people holding hands and tears flowing in agreement.

The next morning Law Enforcement put barriers on the streets in a two block area around the Courthouse. The Klan members showed up to empty streets, closed businesses and a lonely Courthouse lawn as they got out of their bus. They stayed for a short time because they had few to listen to their rants of hatred. Peaceful solidarity won on May 8, 1999 in Warsaw, Indiana.

Pastor John B Lowe II recently reflected on that time, “Kosciusko County and Warsaw were bathed in prayer and the Holy Spirit touched people’s hearts allowing unity to shine. Liberties were exercised, without conflict, due to prayer and a plan of following peace. People have their right of free speech but also have the right to ignore bigotry. We need prayer every day to ask Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to come and shine in Kosciusko County, our Nation and the World.”

On Thursday, May 3rd at Noon, everyone is encouraged to come to the Winona Heritage Room in Winona Lake as we observe National Day of Prayer. Even if you can’t make it to that event take time to pray. This year’s theme is “Unity”, something that is in short supply today.

Christian Unity

On April 29, 1968 after the urging of Majors Howard and Pearl Palomaki of The Salvation Army of Warsaw a meeting was held to organize a Women’s Auxiliary. The goal was to bring women of all backgrounds and faith together to support the mission of serving “others” in Kosciusko County. E. Mazie Alexander was the County Recorder at the time and Palomaki approached her with the idea. “Oh, I can’t do that!” she replied after his pitch. “Oh, yes you can,” he countered. Mazie answered, “I will think about it and pray for guidance.” The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary began as Alexander urged Georgia Kaufman to be the first President and Ada Eagler helped with projects. They met in people’s homes until they got to 35 members and then began gathering at the Corps & Community Center. That first year they held a Bazaar at Glover’s Furniture and helped with the Toy Shop at Christmas. The now famous nut sale started in 1970 as thousands of dollars have been raised to meet human need in the name of Jesus. In preparing to celebrate 50 years it should be noted that this group models something desperately needed today. In all those sales, service and times of fellowship, religion, race, politics and other differences have been put aside for the common good. Unity of purpose under the banner of the love of Jesus can reach out and touch a dark and hurting world. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Mazie prayed for guidance and even after she and many other faithful women have been “promoted to glory” that little band of women keeps on. The Soup & Pie Luncheon on April 18th will be a Golden Jubilee of all that has been accomplished but also a celebration of UNITY. Something we so desperately need in our World today.