WAKULLA CO., Fla. (WTXL) - Thursday night, the Wakulla County community came together to promote unity after a series of hate crimes.
WTXL ABC 27's Abbey Maurer was at the Prayer Vigil and has more.
Unity, forgiveness and justice...three words in response to three letters, spray painted in hatred on three predominantly black churches.
Those words echoed over and over again during a community prayer vigil at the New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Crawfordville.
Nearly 150 people from different church congregations held hands, sang and prayed for unity, and the healing of their community, after several recent acts of racial discrimination.
Jeff Tilley is a member of the band Revival Railroad, which provided musical selections during the vigil. He said he hopes to show everybody that in Wakulla County, all the residents love each other and love Jesus.
"It's important for me, for all residents, to show that we care and that we can break down stereotypes," said Tilley.
Then, the message of forgiveness, Especially when a surprise guest speaker stood in front of the crowd. It was Wakulla County Under Sheriff Trey Morrison, on suspension, after posting insensitive comments on social media about what happened in Ferguson, Missouri.
"Y'all, I'm sorry," said Morrison, "That's all I can say, I'm sorry. God bless you."
And finally, the message of justice. Wakulla County Sheriff Charlie Creel said he's been meeting every day with the FBI, narrowing down possible suspects. He assured the crowd, they will catch whomever vandalized the churches.
"Somebody's going to come forward, and we're going to solve this," said Sheriff Creel. "What this person did is not indicative of what Wakulla County is. They are a coward, hiding behind a can of spray paint."
Those in attendance, like Sopchoppy resident India Harris, said they felt a sense of pride after the prayer vigil.
"We are a very close knit community and it just feels good to see us all come together for a good cause for a change because we are a community full of love and support," said Harris, "And for something so bad, something good did come out of it for our community to come together in a big way like we did tonight. It was really beautiful. I enjoyed it."
Afterall, the goal? To make Wakulla County an example for the rest of the nation that everyone can get along.
