General Minister and President Sharon Watkins and Cynthia Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., were among religious leaders who met yesterday with President Barack Obama for an Easter prayer breakfast. The event, held at the White House in Washington, D.C., was organized to highlight the important role that Christian organizations play in serving their communities, their country and the world.
Hale gave the opening prayer and Watkins offered a brief reflection on the significance of Easter among Christians at the breakfast, with its themes of resurrection and hope. "We are empowered by the resurrected Christ to reach out to help our neighbor emerge from the tomb….help them shake off the trappings of death, racism, hunger, and cynicism and live lives that speak to resurrection and hope." Several other well-known faith leaders spoke at the hour-long breakfast meeting. To read the President’s remarks, go to:
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-easter-prayer-breakfast
Read comments given by Sharon Watkins (PDF)
Read the prayer given by Cynthia Hale (PDF)
