Worthy Christian News > Christian > Florida Rally: “Racism Breaks the Heart of God. Racism Should Break Our Hearts, Too.”

Florida Rally: “Racism Breaks the Heart of God. Racism Should Break Our Hearts, Too.”

(Worthy News) –
Church leaders joined with a crowd of some 400 racially diverse citizens in Lakeland, FL last week for what was called the “One Heart Community & Faith Rally,” CBN News reports. Participants prayed together and proclaimed unity against racism following the police killing of George Floyd.

Dozens of pastors joined Thursday night’s rally, which was emceed by Pastor Anthony Brown of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church, CBN reported. Telling the crowd that this was not a partisan event, Brown said: “Tonight is a gathering of community leaders to express our desire for justice, unity, healing and hope… We’re coming together as Lakelanders to bless our city, to love on our community and to let the devil know we are together.”

Concerning racism, event organizer Pastor Jeff Scott: “In the name of Jesus, racism must die.” Moreover, Scott added, the death of racism “has to start with us.”

Among the rally participants was Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd who told media reporters that: “This is our opportunity to listen. I can tell you, had [the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck] been in this county I would’ve had him in jail before the sun went down that day. I would’ve put him in jail because that was horrific,”

According to CBN, Christian leaders at the Lakeland event “acknowledged past failures to take the lead on racial issues. Pastor Scott Thomas of Free Life Chapel told the crowd about the church’s mission to heal the racial divide and bring justice for all and said: “Racism breaks the heart of God. Racism should break our hearts, too.”