Prayer Service for Kidnapped Nigerian Girls to Be Held on Mercer University’s Atlanta Campus

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ATLANTA – A prayer service for more than 200 Nigerian girls recently kidnapped by militant Islamist group Boko Haram will be held on Mercer University's Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus today from 3:45-4:45 p.m.

The service, which will take place in Day Hall, was organized by Eniabitobi Kuyinu, a native of Nigeria and doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision Program within the College of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Hymns will be played by Rhett Barnwell, director of music at Embry Hills United Methodist Church.

Prayers will be offered by Dr. Richard Swindle, senior vice president for the Atlanta campus; Wole Akinola-King, pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God Grace Assembly in Stockbridge; Dr. Karen G. Massey, associate dean for masters degree programs and associate professor of Christian education in the McAfee School of Theology; the Rev. Lee Fullerton, senior pastor of Embry Hills United Methodist Church; Jason Rowland, lead pastor of Living Waters International Church in Riverdale; Dr. Kenyon Knapp, assistant dean for graduate programs and associate professor of counseling in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies; Pamela Perkins Carn, coordinator of the Interfaith Children's Movement; and Stuart Griffin, COO of Street Grace Inc.

“We are praying for the protection and release of these Nigerian girls who are largely being persecuted for their Christian faith. Free people like us must speak out and act in ways to confront the evil of kidnapping, rape and sex slavery,” said Dr. Knapp.

There will also be a reading from Proverbs 24:11-12:

“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”

The public is invited to attend the service.

“Please join us to petition God for the release of these precious souls who are the light and future of their communities. Without God's help, our labors may be in vain,” said Kuyinu.