To celebrate faith, culture and community, residents from across North Texas gathered at a Fort Worth chapel on Nov. 16 for the latest installment of the “Saints in Unity” devotional series.
Titled “Children Are the Heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3), the dedication celebrates the power of faith, fellowship, and service in strengthening families and communities. This is part of the ongoing United Saints devotions and events, an effort by Latter-day Saints across North Texas to deepen understanding, celebrate common values, and strengthen communities through service and faith.
The series seeks to foster friendship, connection, and shared service among people of all faiths, with a special emphasis on support and fellowship for people of African heritage. Previous events have included devotions, participation in the 2024 Opal Lee Walk for Freedom, and a Juneteenth celebration focused on faith, culture and service in North Texas.
“We loved building relationships with pastors and community leaders,” said Dallas-Fort Worth Stake President Brandon Ellison. “It helps us look beyond our own walls and recognize the good things others are doing. It opened my eyes to how we can connect and uplift our neighbors.”
The event, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, honored two local organizations. Hope Farm and Fort Worth Save Our Children’s Learning Center each received an Exemplary Achievement Award for their dedication to mentoring, educating, and developing the character of Fort Worth’s youth.
Hope Farm is a leadership program that guides at-risk boys into Christ-centered, honest people.
“Our hope is to change the trajectory of our community, and it will take all of us. We can’t do it alone, and we’re grateful to the churches and nonprofits who will walk with us to achieve that goal,” said Zacher Dawson, executive director of Hope Farm.
Dawson received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of Hope Farm’s impact on fatherless boys and their single mothers. Vernon and Linda James, founders and longtime faith leaders of the Fort Worth Save Our Children Learning Center, were also recognized for their decades of service to local children.
The center, which provides a safe and supportive environment for youth, celebrates 40 years of community service this year.
“We do this for the children. To know their potential and see them blossom. It reminds us that work matters,” Vernon James said.
The service also featured several musical performances. Children at Save Our Children sang songs they use to memorize scripture, planets, continents, oceans, and more. The OneVoice Community Outreach Choir featured church vocalist Bekah Sumsion for a spirited rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” and “Oh Happy Day.”
“Being part of Saints in Unity has been an incredible blessing to our choir,” said Trish Hodge of One Voice. “OneVoice is about building bridges and reminding people to God that we are one. This event embodies that spirit of people coming together despite our differences. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as one in God.”
After the meeting, guests toured exhibits on Black history and family heritage, as well as exhibits highlighting the work of Hope Farm and Save Our Children. Participants viewed African heritage artifacts and learned about their origins and significance.
With music, a message of faith, and a shared commitment to service, this devotion marked another milestone in the United Saints initiative, which continues to strengthen friendships and promote service throughout North Texas.
Sharissa Lewis, assistant director of media affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contributed to this report.
