You’re Not Alone,nearly 3,000 Members Of Alfred Street Baptist Church Support#bringbackourgirls

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - May 12, 2014 - PRLog -- Nearly 3,000 members of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC), the oldest and largest African American church in Alexandria, Virginia, celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11^th, 2014 with a prayer vigil at  both the 8a.m. and 11a.m. worship services-to raise awareness for all of the kidnapped and missing girls in Nigeria.  Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor, led the ASBC congregation in a powerful, poignant and moving prayer for the 300 school girls who were kidnapped from Nigeria and for all kidnapped and missing girls and women worldwide. Nigeria remains one of eight countries with the highest rates of human trafficking in the world.

In a show of solidarity and support for the mothers of the abducted school girls in the Chibok Borno State region of Nigeria, ASBC raised awareness of human trafficking by asking everyone to hold up their ASBC “PRAY FOR OUR GIRLS” signs; which were disseminated to members as they entered the sanctuary.  Members, visitors and volunteers of Alfred Street Baptist Church joined together in the global effort to #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS on Sunday with their call for PRAYER. “You’re not alone (to the Mothers of those abducted school girls in Nigeria). These young innocent girls belong to all of us.  They are all of our daughters.” commented, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley. “Many of us go into a panic if we look away for one moment, and can’t find our child in Walmart; imagine the pain and anguish you would feel if your child was taken from your home in the middle of the night.  We believe in the power of prayer and therefore we are calling on all believers to join us prayer to #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS.”

Alfred Street Baptist Church is committed to empowering African American girls and women through education, spiritual guidance and more importantly prayer – with our PRAY FOR OUR GIRLS prayer vigils which were on Sunday, May 11^th-Mother’s Day. “We are supporting the #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS global movement and whole heartily denounce violence of any kind against girls and women of all ages and ethnicities.” stated, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor, Alfred Street Baptist Church.

ASBC distributed thousands of PRAY FOR OUR GIRLS signs and special gifts to all mothers who were in attendance for their Sunday Mother’s Day worship services. Everyone in attendance on Sunday, May 11^th participated in the church-wide photo in support of the #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS campaign which was sent out via social media to show ASBC’support. “Many people ask what can I do, I don’t have any money, and I can’t travel to Nigeria to help, what can I possibly do?  We here at Alfred Street Baptist Church know that there is power in PRAYER and PRAYER can change any situation.” continued, Pastor Wesley. Millions of African-American girls and women have gone missing including Relisha Rudd, the 8-year-old girl that has been missing from the homeless shelter in Washington, DC since February. “Brazen abductions and violence against our innocent girls and women must STOP.” said, Pastor Wesley.

About Alfred Street Baptist Church:

Established in 1818, Alfred Street Baptist Church is home to the oldest African American congregation in Alexandria, VA. It has served as a prominent religious, educational, and cultural in the Northern Virginia community. Currently under the esteemed leadership of Rev. Dr. Howard John Wesley, Alfred Street Baptist Church has over 5,000 members with services every Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Alfred Street is also home of the popular Come As You Are (CAYA) worship service every first Wednesday of the month. For more information regarding Alfred Street Baptist Church, visit www.AlfredStreet.org.