A few of Riverview's faithful come out to support one of their own.
They took part in a 5-K Run-Walk to support the Reverend Anthony Daniels. Reverend Daniels is doing well recovering in rehab, after a serious auto accident on July 20th near his home in Barbourville, Kentucky.
About 50 to 60 people ran and walked to support Reverend Daniels in the event, sponsored by the Greater Kingsport Ministerial Alliance.
Click here to see pictures of the 5K Walk-Run for Reverend Anthony Daniels.
"The ministers decided to be a blessing to our very own Reverend Daniels," says Central Baptist pastor Ricardo Dorcean. "He used to be president of the Alliance, and also a member, and also pastor at Central. He grew in Central, and we just felt the need to raise funds and be a blessing to him. All the churches came together, and we are here to show him love."
Starting at the measured 5-K point on the Kingsport Greenway just behind Petsmart, the participants found a cool, sunny late summer morning awaiting them, as they advanced towards the halfway point eastward, up the ridge just past the John B. Dennis overpass, then back the same route. Upon their return, they found the Reverend Daniels waiting to greet them, in the parking lot at the begin point.
"I was very much suprised and appreciative of the event," Reverend Daniels says. "You know, they didn't have to do it, and I express my gratitude to the committee, thanks to the pastors, thanks to the people who came out and walked and ran, and just thanks to everybody. Please express my appreciation, and just let them know that I really appreciate everything they've done. It's going to make me more determined to get better and be a more faithful member of the community."
Reverend Daniels pastors the First Baptist Church of Barbourville, Kentucky, near the scene of the accident.
"The relationship with him is very close-knit," says Reverend Dorcean. "He's a son of this community and it was just natural for us to be a blessing to him.. to make sure we took care of our own, because he is still one of us."
Folks who couldn't be present for the run-walk, had ghost runners for them. "It was a very successful event, very positive and very supportive," Reverend Dorcean said.
"At Central Baptist Church, we have a Health Ministry,' he says, "headed by Jackie Sylvester. One of the things we've been doing for the last 6 months is walking every Sunday, after church. People would meet around 6 PM and they'll walk, they'll run or whatever makes them feel comfortable. When we were sitting around thinking about how to creatively help Reverend Daniels, a walk-a-thon was a natural suggestion for me to make, because of what we already do. People were excited about the idea since we have a lot of runners and walkers in the community in general, so it was just something we just said 'O-K, we can do this.'"
The Greater Kingspor Ministerial Alliance helped spread the word among their individual churches.
"The measure of God's Love and Compassion is how he works through people," says Reverend Dorcean."
"God used us to be a blessing to Reverend Daniels."
