Dozens volunteer on Day of Service and Prayer

Dozens of people turned out across Poplar Bluff and Butler County Saturday morning to make their communities a better place.

The Community Day of Service and Prayer featured everything from trash cleanup and storm siren testing to prayer groups and more.

“It was a beautiful day to go out and serve, and we appreciate everyone making Butler County a little better than it was yesterday,” said organizer Robbie Myers.

Daily American Republic's Jonathan Martin (left) Deb Pruett and Chris Pruett clean up trash and debris from downtown Poplar Bluff street during Saturday's Day of Service and Prayer.DAR/Paul Davis

The volunteers, Myers said, were a “diverse group.”

After a brunch, hosted by the United Gospel Rescue Mission, volunteers set out on their missions.

Outside the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, Archie Parrish led members of his Faith Baptist Church congregation in prayers for our nation’s veterans.

Chloe Turner picks up trash along Cedar Street Saturday morning.DAR/Paul Davis

“When they declared this a day of service and prayer, our church had already committed to praying for our city,” Parrish said, “so this fit in well with what we were doing.”

With more than a dozen members of all ages present, Parrish said, “We appreciate our country and what the folks who have served have done, so we wanted to come here and pray for them.”

Across town, at Poplar Bluff High School, members of a men’s prayer group at Northpoint Nazarene Church gathered to pray for the city’s schools.

Members of the Friday morning men's prayer group at Northpoint Nazarene Church pray for Poplar Bluff's schools outside the Poplar Bluff High School Saturday morning.DAR/Paul Davis

Robert Clark, a John 3:16 Ministries graduate who was born and raised in Poplar Bluff, felt a deep need to pray for what he described as “my schools.”

“I got to talking to Jeff Shawan and Robbie Myers at the Knights of Columbus breakfast and they explained to me about the community prayer, and I felt it deep in my heart,” Clark said. “I love this school, and for years, since prayer had been out of schools, I felt we as a community need to come together.”

In downtown Poplar Bluff, at the Butler County Justice Center, Ron Webb and more than 20 others from Mount Calvary Power House Church gathered to pray for those who serve in law enforcement.

Faith Baptist Church's Archie Parrish (center) leads a prayer group outside the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center during Saturday's Day of Service and Prayer.DAR/Paul Davis

The event, Webb noted, was part of an assignment in Sandra Jackson’s “God’s Authority in the Believer” class at the church’s School of the Prophets.

“Part of their assignment was to come pray for law enforcement,” said Webb.

Church members, Webb said, “talked about the importance of standing in the gap praying for those in authority.

Robert Clark, a graduate of John 3:16 Ministries, tells volunteers about his plans for the Day of Service and Prayer during Saturday's brunch, hosted by the United Gospel Rescue Mission.DAR/Paul Davis

“It’s very important we have good, solid leadership.”

Earlier in the morning several staff members from the Daily American Republic canvassed the streets of downtown Poplar Bluff with bags in hand, picking up trash and debris from the area.

Myers said he was “happy with the turnout” and how things went.

Volunteers for Saturday's Community Day of Service and Prayer line up for a brunch, hosted by the United Gospel Rescue Mission.DAR/Paul Davis

“This is the first time we’ve done this,” he said. “We have other prayer days and other events throughout the year, and with the extra day this year, this just adds an extra dimension.”

“We really appreciate everyone who took part on their leap day to help,” Myers said.