Will Bring Hopeful Message of Solidarity from White Evangelical Churches and Challenge that Community to Deal with Lingering Racial Division

Contact: Melina Ronn, 917-743-7836

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 19, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- News conference and prayer service will be held 10:00 AM in front of Emanuel AME Church.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the National Clergy Christian said,

"The heart of our nation is heavy over the senseless and horrific loss of nine innocent lives at Emanuel AME church.  As we mourn, we ask all people of faith to look to God and pray for comfort and strength for the families and friends who lost loved ones.  It is critical that we understand that this was not only an attack on a church in South Carolina, but a hate filled attack on every American and the timeless values and freedoms we all embrace and cherish.

"Today we are all members of Emanuel.

"We also pray that through this tragedy, God would ignite a passionate and sincere conversation on race, reconciliation and healing across our nation."

Rev. Rob Schenck, chairman of the Evangelical Church Alliance said,

"The tragedy of Charleston is the incomprehensibly enormous pain and loss experienced by so many, but it's more. It's the deliberate, intentional, and heinous violation of sacred space and of welcoming hearts, and the very deep and ugly reality that an evil fantasy of racial superiority, generated out of ignorance and fear, continues to haunt American culture. Church leaders, pastors, and Christian institutions, especially among white evangelicals, must humbly face up to this demon and methodically exorcise it. Jesus said this kind of evil comes out only by prayer and fasting; let both begin now."

Joining Revd's Mahoney and Schenck will be African American leader Rev. Johnny Hunter and African American anti-gun violence activist Lucy McBath, whose son was gunned down outside a convenience store by a white man after the two argued over the music coming from the boy's car.