On Sunday, July 8, Rockcastle Baptist Church and Christian Life Assembly of God held a unity service at Rockcastle Church. The service was themed around a unity of the faith and celebration of our country.

The multiracial and multidenominational service was conceived as Pastor David Middlebrooks and his church reached out to other nearby churches to unify and fellowship. Rockcastle and Christian Life Church are about a half mile apart on 68-80 east of Russellville.

Pastor Nathan Cockrill and his church Christian Life Assembly liked the idea “Although it took some time to come about, it was worth the wait. There was a spirit of unity in the service lifting up the Lord,” Cockrill says.

“There were testimonies of God's power, music ranging from African-American spiritual songs to contemporary Christian music, messages from the pastors, and a special time holding hands and praying for our nation.

As Pastor Middlebrooks put it as he preached Sunday, "We have a great country." He also talked on unity. "We go thousands of miles to talk to someone about God but won't say hello to our neighbors." He wants to change that in Russellville and Logan County.

As Pastor Cockrill put it, "We need to be blessed and in unity so we can bless those who don't know God."

Looking around after the service and seeing the people of all ages, races, and backgrounds mingling around a mountain of smoked ribs put one in mind of what Heaven will be like, Cockrill added.

The three pastors pictured are Pastor David Middlebrooks Jr. (Rockcastle Baptist), Pastor Nathan Cockrill (Christian Life Assembly) and Pastor James Bryars (Rockcastle Baptist).

In the picture with folks holding Bibles are Deacon James Jackson and pastors Steve Matthews, Cockrill and Middlebrooks.