The Sound of Trumpets brings Hope to Cleveland Texas.

The Sound of Trumpets brings Hope to Cleveland Texas.
Written by: Sara Phipps Carr

As the trumpets of hope echoed through the small community near Samuel Wiley Park, pastors of surrounding churches gathered to pray over the heavy hearts that fill the stricken town of Cleveland Texas.

Last month, the small town was thrown into a media frenzy when 19 men and juveniles were arrested and charged for the alleged rape of an 11 year old girl. An affidavit states the incident took place over a three month period ending Thanksgiving weekend.

“God is never wrong,” said Pastor Archie Phillips “what happens in our communities in our nation, in our states, it lets us know that God is not pleased with what is going on.”

The community gathered at Samuel Wiley Park for a “Community Spiritual Awakening, Blow the Trumpet in Zion” on Thursday March 31st 2011.

The members of the Community Rescue Committee wanted the public to gather in prayer and to join forces to change their community.

“We are trying to bring people from the community and talk to them about our kids,” said Mayor ProTim Barbara McIntyre “we are trying to find solutions, they don’t know what to do in a case like this, but there is such a disconnect and trying to reconnect we have to start with those in need.”

Since the alleged rape, the media has reported those involved have been victimized or labeled incorrectly with little truth exposed.

“It’s out of our hands now, all we can do is pray that the judicial system will sort of the truth,” said Pastor Travis Hullett “all I can do is pray for the city of Cleveland and help those with the healing process.”

As the pastors preached in the outdoor auditorium, under this roof, there were no signs of a racial divide. Instead a community joined in prayer to reignite hope in their beloved city of Cleveland.