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Traditionally white, black churches' joint service shows 'what kingdom of God looks like'
Air Line, St. John Baptist churches united Sunday
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Sylvia Akers, center, hugs Peggy Shirley, during a joint worship service at St. John Baptist Church with members of the traditionally white Air Line Baptist Church and traditionally black St. John in Gainesville, on Sunday. The two churches desired to come together in the wake of racially charged shootings that have heightened tensions nationwide. - photo by JOSHUA L. JONES
Two Hall County churches tore down traditional racial walls and worshipped together Sunday, defying the division that has fueled racially charged shootings across the U.S. over the past month. “This is what the kingdom of God looks like,” said Stephen Samuel, pastor of traditionally black St. John Baptist Church in Gainesville, looking over a racially mixed congregation. And Scott W. Moore, pastor of traditionally white Air Line Baptist Church in East Hall, said of the joint service, “We cannot stop here — this is not enough.”