FOREST PARK — The racial divide that separates many people in Cincinnati brought hundreds together Sunday night at Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World church.

        More than 400 clergy and members of congregations from dozens of churches across the Tristate gathered to “Let the Healing Begin” — title of a service sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Pastors' Consortium.

        The pastors' group comprises Baptist, Pentecostal and other Christian ministers. It formed after the April 2001 riots to address race relations and other issues.

        “There are individuals who might think that this place is so far from healing,” the Rev. Bobby Hilton, Word of Deliverance's senior pastor, said. “But we're just a few prayers away.”

        The Forest Park church rumbled with dancing, singing and shouts of joy from the multi-ethnic crowd that packed the church for the 7 p.m service.

        Pastor Jim Crabb of Courts of Praise Christian Center, Fairfield, a consortium member, also led the crowd in prayer and delivered a sermon broadcast live on WCIN (1480 AM).

        He told the crowd that they were “agents of change” empowered by the Holy Ghost. And he said Cincinnati is on its way to bridging the racial divide that led to last year's violence and unprecedented change, including the collaborative agreement between the city and black protest leaders.

        Bishop Michael Dantley of Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship in Walnut Hills said Cincinnati is going to be different because of what happened there Sunday.

        “This is a church that knows how to bless and praise,” he said, , emphasizing the role of church in mediating differences among the races.
       According to God, “there is no black and no white,” he said.

        Those conducting the service didn't place blame and offer specific solutions for specific problems, despite the nature of the service.

        They simply asked God to unite the city, and to bring peace and an end to racial injustice.

Many Catholics demand disclosure
Cardinal: New solution sought
Cleveland bishop calls for prayer and fidelity
Men say church knew of sex abuse decades ago
Landlords angered by mini-riot damage
Oxford grads take prizes
Warren Co. roads taking on orange hue
Woman leaps out of moving vehicle
BRONSON: Death row
CROWLEY: Erpenbeck gossip has sad undertone
Some Good News
You Asked For It
Authorities concerned about rise in dogfighting
Boone looks to its past
Both parties court growing new bloc of Hispanic voters
City's 'just a few prayers' from healing
Domestic violence funds pulled
Indiana 'warriors' slammed
Mine-safety system has mixed reviews
Money worries clog sewer project
Renovation gives police more space
School-funding report author sues
Tot has just cuts, bruises in 30-foot fall
Traficant skipping primary
Walk circle, seek self
Kentucky A.M. report
Tristate A.M. report