A full house of community leaders and church members congregated Sunday evening to pray for the town of Farmville in light of Tuesday’s vice presidential debate. Moton Museum served as a neutral meeting place for the community worship service.

Organizers conceived the idea during a meeting initiated by Farmville Mayor David Whitus, according to New Life Pastor Bill McIntosh. The event came to life with the help of several area churches, Longwood University President W. Taylor Reveley IV and the town of Farmville.

“Mayor Whitus gathered together the leaders of faith in belief that the way to unite our town was through the ministers of Farmville,” McIntosh said.

Attendance at the event exceeded leaders’ expectations. Not only were the 200 prepared seats filled, there were people standing in the back, as well, McIntosh said.

McIntosh led communion, as pastors from seven local churches served communion to the people in attendance.

The New Life Church worship team led the music and the Calvary Chapel Choir formed the community choir base.

“Both the worship team and the choir did an amazing job in exalting the name of Jesus Christ over Farmville,” McIntosh said.

Pastors offered prayers on behalf of the town and country.

McIntosh said in his 36 years of serving the Lord, he has never seen or participated in a community worship service with both the racial and denominational diversity exhibited by those in attendance on Sunday.

Many local church communities’ attendance and assistance contributed to the event’s success, McIntosh said, including New Life, Calvary Chapel, Beulah AME, Farmville Presbyterian, Farmville United Methodist, Farmville Baptist,  Race Street Baptist and Farmville Church of Christ.

Whitus said the event “was well received and brought people together from all across our community,” based on the attendance and speakers.

“God is truly doing something unique in Farmville and has great things in store for our town, in addition to the vice presidential debate,” McIntosh said.