Albany, Ga. – A week after a shooting incident injured one person outside the J. Lane Theater during Albany State University’s homecoming weekend, an Albany pastor is organizing a community prayer and worship service at the same location. Pastor Antonio Screen of Alive City Church announced the upcoming event, aiming to promote safety and engage the younger generation in the Albany community.
The 'save our city' community prayer and worship service is scheduled for noon on Sunday, October 18, at 313 Pine Ave., the address of the J. Lane Theater. This gathering follows the October 10 shooting, which occurred during a busy period for the city as Albany State University celebrated its annual homecoming festivities. The incident drew attention from the wider South Georgia region, underscoring local concerns about community safety and well-being.
Pastor Screen conveyed the purpose of the service through a Facebook post, stating that the intention is to bring a message of hope directly to the site of recent distress. "We’re taking prayer to the place where the pain happened," Pastor Screen’s post declared. This initiative seeks to transform a location associated with violence into a focal point for spiritual reflection and community solidarity. The announcement further elaborated on the contrast between the past weekend's events and the forthcoming service, noting, "Last weekend, gunfire shook our community. But this Sunday, we’re returning to that very place with a different sound… the sound of prayer, worship, hope, and healing."
The incident on October 10 resulted in one individual sustaining injuries. Following the shooting, authorities reportedly arrested two men in connection with the event, as noted in previous coverage of the incident. No further details regarding the arrests or the condition of the injured person were immediately available from the provided information. The community service organized by Alive City Church represents a direct response to the impact of such events on local residents and aims to foster a sense of security and unity within the community.
Pastor Screen has extended an invitation to all community members, encouraging them to attend and support the "save our city" initiative. The gathering at 313 Pine Ave. is positioned as an opportunity for collective prayer and worship, designed to address the aftermath of the shooting and to reinforce positive community values. By holding the service at the exact location of the incident, Alive City Church hopes to symbolically reclaim the space for peace and healing, sending a clear message about the community's resolve in the face of challenges. The focus on reaching the younger generation highlights a proactive approach to long-term community safety and engagement, aiming to inspire positive change among Albany's youth. The service underscores the role of faith communities in responding to local emergencies and fostering resilience within the population, offering a structured outlet for residents to come together and express their shared concerns and hopes for a safer future in Albany.