LET US WORSHIP! CHURCH, LET US UNIFY!

Mill Creek Park on Country Club Plaza became the site of a powerful outdoor worship service this weekend as the Let Us Pray protest and revival movement brought its 50-city tour to the storied heart of Kansas City. Known this summer as the site of civil unrest and rioting, event organizers sought to re-claim that ground for Jesus and unity while making a public statement that the Church will not be silenced.

Kansas City was the 43rd stop of the Let Us Worship protest.  The movement culminates Sunday at National Mall in Washington D.C. Led by California-based Christian musician and activist Sean Feucht, Let Us Worship brought together a diverse group of Christians and non-Christians to experience a night of prayer and praise. During the event, many received Jesus, were baptized and some reported miraculous healing. 

“Only a united church can heal a divided nation,” proclaimed pastor Dr. Charles Karuku. “And only a united church can wage war in the spirit and win! Tonight we are here to win for Jesus Christ!”

Karuku is a Minnesota pastor who, the day after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, felt God calling him to set up and lead outdoor worship at the very intersection of Floyd’s last breath. With buildings still burning, Karuku witnessed hundreds of people receive Jesus and get baptized during the multi-day event. 

During a memorable moment Saturday night, Karuku called worshipers to look for someone in the audience who “didn’t look like” themselves and go over and pray together.  It was a deliberate moment of the church leading in unity…and perhaps an indicator that Kansas City is ready for the ONE KC movement this winter. 

“We are tired of the crime, the violence, and everything that’s going on,” said Brian Tichenor during a KCTV television news segment about the event. “Everybody is against everybody and let’s just come together and worship together. In seasons like this, where America is being fractured and pulled apart, this is the season that we really need the church to rise up and become a solution and answer of hope.”

Saturday’s rally gathered well over 1,000 believers of all races, backgrounds, ages and denominations who celebrated and called on the name of Jesus for three hours.  

During a season where division is in plentiful supply, the body of Christ must find the points of unity and focus there instead. That message was fundamental this weekend and will be central to the ONE KC movement this winter.