| The evening
was warm and at 6:00 PM the people began arriving
at the church. We were prepared with parking lot
attendants on duty to make sure that all had places
to park. It was believed that there would be a large
turnout and that belief eventually proved to be
true. The lot was filled to overflowing, with cars
parked in the field behind church, the Bufano property,
along Glenwood-Dyer Road, and even at the roller
rink!
Inside, the building was “bursting at the
seems.” Not only was every pew filled, but
also there were people in the choir loft and chairs
on the pulpit, up and down the outer aisles, and
filling the narthex. The crowd was estimated to
be somewhere between 600 and 700 people. The air
conditioning labored to keep up.
Dr. Joel Nederhood moderated the meeting, which
featured four speakers. The speakers were well-versed
on the various dangers that legalized gambling
bring into an area. One of the speakers, a Mr.
Jerry Prosapio, who is a former compulsive gambler,
gave a compelling testimony of his addiction to
gambling. It included the ruinous affect it had
on his family and how people can so easily become
compulsive gamblers. The bottom line in the messages
was to be involved. Community opposition is the
key to keeping legalized gambling out.
After the meeting, the speakers remained in the
sanctuary to informally answer questions. Also,
some members of the press were present asking
questions of their own. Most importantly, a steering
committee began forming to spearhead the fight
that has already begun.
Please keep this matter in your prayers. Similar
fights have been won elsewhere around this country
and, with God’s help, this fight can be
won too!
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