While an adult private club celebrated its grand opening Sept. 6, more than 50 Christians gathered nearby to pray for their Gallitan County, Kentucky, community.
The group met in the parking lot of a gas station adjacent to the Sandbox, a new nightclub that opened in the former Racers strip club building. The prayer vigil, organized by Pleasant Home Baptist Church pastor Ben Wilson, was intended as a peaceful response to the club’s launch.
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Participants came from 10 to 12 churches across several denominations. They sang hymns, prayed in small groups, and joined in corporate prayer before dispersing after about an hour.
“We weren’t there to engage with anyone,” Wilson said. “We couldn’t even see people going in, but I’m sure they saw us. Our prayer was that God would work in their lives — that those entering would come to know Jesus and fill that God-shaped hole in their hearts.”
‘Wrong is wrong’
Wilson, a bivocational pastor and attorney, had previously pursued legal avenues to prevent the club from opening but was unsuccessful. Instead, he turned to prayer and rallied support through the Owen Baptist Association, social media and phone calls.
Community reactions to the club’s arrival have been mixed, Wilson said, ranging from strong opposition to indifference. But he believes silence is not an option.
“Being an ostrich with your head in the sand is no defense,” he said. “Wrong is wrong.”
Larry Gilliam, worship pastor of Glencoe Baptist Church, led the group in singing “Amazing Grace” before the groups gathered and launched into prayer.
Wilson said the vigil was only the beginning. “We asked each church represented to keep praying. I’m certain we’ll be back, and next time we’ll work to double our numbers. We know there is power in prayer.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mark Maynard and originally published by Kentucky Today.
