Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By SCOTT MIMS | Special to the Selma Times-Journal

SELMA – The organization known as S.T.O.M.P (Selma Team Outreach Ministry) held its 14th annual Praise Unity Celebration and its third Citywide Prayer Day on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Phoenix Park in downtown Selma.

This year’s theme was “United in Prayer: Stronger Together,” and S.T.O.M.P co-founder Annie Towns estimated that 100 or more people were in attendance.

“We had a wonderful day. God blessed us with a powerful, Spirit-filled day,” Towns said. “I always tell people what our mission is—reaching our city and community with the message of hope through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Groups of people from different churches come together to make the event happen each year. Starting in 2023, the Selma City Council and mayor presented a proclamation designating the first Saturday in October as a citywide prayer day moving forward.

In addition to organized prayer, the celebration event included songs, preaching, dances and giveaways of gift bags containing arm bands and rocks engraved with the S.T.O.M.P acronym and a Bible verse.

Towns quoted a theme verse for this year’s event, Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

“We’re just praying and asking the Lord to get the other churches involved in our passion for prayer for the city of Selma,” Towns said. “I just really, really believe that if we all come together in prayer and all of us (are) real passionate about prayer, the Bible tells us that God commands a blessing upon us when we come together in unity.”

Two speakers were featured, Bob Armstrong of Blue Jean Church Selma and the Rev. Dr. Frank Asumadu of Springhill AME Zion Church of Prattville. Deacon Rick Robertson of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa presided. In addition, each person received a meal ticket and enjoyed a food truck lunch provided by the Selma Housing Authority.

Towns also wished to recognize organization co-founder Eric Dawson.

“When God gave me this vision 14 years ago, I asked him (Dawson) if he would help me with the vision, and he said ‘yes,’” Towns said. “I could not have done it without him.”

She also added that her pastor, David Nichols of Crosspoint Christian Church, is in support of the ministry. He along with Pastor Ralph Edwards serve as spirit advisors.