TMU alumni, staff gather to worship before upcoming stand-in

TMU alumni and staff gathered in worship and prayer on Thursday night. (Chaz Mullis/NowHabersham.com)

Words of comfort and reassurance were shared at the Yonah Campground Clubhouse Thursday night as Truett-McConnell University alumni and staff gathered in worship and prayer.

The gathering served as a precursor to the “Stand-In for Accountability” demonstration planned for tomorrow, June 6. The event’s organizers demand justice after sexual abuse allegations were recently brought against Bradley Reynolds, TMU’s former Vice President of Academic Affairs.

“A-Z Prayer Guide for Truett-McConnell” – click to enlarge (Chaz Mullis/NowHabersham.com)

Heather Pillsbury, one of the demonstration’s organizers, led the attendees in worship, singing various gospel songs and encouraging prayer. “Father, we thank you for the courage of those who have spoken out so far,” she prayed. “We pray for continued courage for those who will be speaking truth into this situation.”

A prayer guide was given out to all in attendance, titled “A-Z Prayer Guide for Truett-McConnell.” The list names various words alphabetically to be prayed for in support of the victims of the scandal.

Early in the service, Pillsbury prayed specifically for Hayle Swinson, the TMU alum who brought forward the allegations against Reynolds. “We pray that Hayle would feel seen, would feel the immense support that people have for her, that she would gain strength from us,” she prayed.

Click here to watch the streamed event in full on Pillsbury’s YouTube channel.

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