JACKSON, Miss. – Enduring cold temperatures Monday morning, members of the 100 Concerned Clergy of Jackson and other area clergy held a prayer vigil on the steps of City Hall for Mayor Frank Melton’s health.
“We are encouraging the entire city of Jackson tomorrow, Jan. 13, to take time out to pray for our mayor’s health, and that God will bless and keep him lifted,” said the Rev. Hosea Hines, president of the 100 Concerned Clergy. He is also pastor of College Hill Baptist Church in West Jackson.
The group is also calling for prayer for the progress of the city as well.
Before the vigil began, Bishop John C. Evans of Cathedral AME Zion led a prayer asking God to blessed their efforts. Leading the vigil prayers were Bishop Ronnie Crudup of New Horizon Church International, the Rev. Canon David H. Johnson of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, and Senior Pastor Stan Buckley of First Baptist Church of Jackson. All prayers included various requests for healing and restoration for the Mayor.
After the vigil, Hines would not address inquiries about other matters pertaining to the mayor. “We felt like because we have a mayor whose health is failing, it is our duty to pray for him,” said. “Our chief (objective) was simply to focus in on the health of the mayor. Everybody deserves the best quality of health they can have.”
Hines did react however to a question about the mayor running for a second term in light of his health. Hines responded, “That’s his choice.”
Melton was released from St. Dominic Hospital Friday afternoon after nearly a week stay. In a news release that day, he said, “I’m happy to say that I am feeling better and stronger by the day. I look forward to getting back to serving the citizens of Jackson as soon as possible.”
The mayor has been diagnosed with end-stage cardio-myopathy, according to court documents.
His attorney John Reeves told The Mississippi Link in a telephone interview, after Monday’s prayer vigil, that the Mayor’s “hospital stay was very productive.” “He seems to have a lot of his strength back.”
Reeves said he believes that it is the “heart-felt” intercessory prayers that are going forth on the Melton’s behalf that are helping him. He said he personally knows the power of intercessory prayer.
He said the mayor has been ordered to rest for a few days or so. “I know he is very appreciative for the prayers and support,” Reeves said. “I talked to him just this morning. He is recuperating nicely.”
Last month, a judge delayed the mayor’s federal trial on civil rights violations because of his health. The trial is now schedule to begin Feb. 2.
As for the prayer requests, Hines said in a later release, “While we are asking for special prayers on Tuesday, we want the prayers to continue as well as look forward to a brighter future in the Capital City.”
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