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WINTON – They were bundled against the cold, but hearts were warmed through words.

A crowd numbering approximately 100 gathered on and near the front steps of the Hertford County Courthouse here Monday morning where local government officials hosted a Community Day of Prayer.

“It’s a privilege to be together this morning in the spirit of unity and reflection,” said Hertford County Manager Oryan Lowry who opened the event. “We hope that today’s gathering brings peace and a sense of connection with our community. Our goal is to foster a sense of community and support through shared prayer that offers hope and strength to all present.”

Dr. Renee Fleetwood, Executive Clerk to the county’s board of commissioners, introduced the five local pastors that each offered a “themed” prayer.

Bishop Taunya Queen Melendez, Senior Pastor/Founder of Well of Life Kingdom Ministry International, prayed for public safety and law enforcement.

Bishop Arthur Clark, Senior Pastor/Founder of Mt. Sinai Church of God in Murfreesboro, offered prayer for health and human services.

Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Senior Pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Ahoskie, went to God in prayer for local education.

Dr. Mark Gaskins, Senior Pastor of Murfreesboro Baptist Church, prayed for local infrastructure and development.

Dr. Wallace Phillips, Senior Pastor of Carpenter’s Shop International Church in Ahoskie, offered prayer for local economic development.

“I’m so humbled because God is so good to us,” said Andre Lassiter, chair of the Hertford County Commissioners, after the prayers had been lifted up. “I want to thank each of you present for coming out this morning and supporting our county in prayer.

“Prayer is our secret weapon,” Lassiter continued, acknowledging fellow commissioners John Horton, Bill Mitchell, Ronald Gatling, and Leroy Douglas. “We need you, our citizens, to help us make God-like decisions. We are mere men, we cannot do this on our own. We need God’s wisdom and we need your prayers to make sure that God will give us the wisdom to make the decisions that will change people’s lives. There are 20,000 people in our county that depend on our decisions each and every day.”

Lassiter stressed that he believed that God has great plans for Hertford County.

“The county we know and see today is about to undergo a generational shift that will allow generations to come to prosper because of decisions that are made today,” he said. “What we’re doing this morning on these courthouse steps is invoking the presence of God over this county. We are setting the tone of God first in this county.”

Later, during the 9 a.m. regularly scheduled meeting of the county commissioners, Rev. John Porter, Senior Pastor of Meherrin Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, gave the invocation where he prayed for the board members and other local county leaders, offering praise for their decision making and governance, community engagement, and transparency and accountability.