To Do in RI: Christian gathering at Johnston Memorial Park a day of worship, praise

The Believers United in Christ event will take place at Johnston Memorial Park on Saturday, August 24, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome to participate in a day of worship, prayer and praise. All churches are welcome to join in on the day and showcase their ministries and outreach programs.

Rev. David Butera estimates several hundred people will attend.

Highlights include: “Living Scripture Theater”, the Women’s Adult and Teen Challenge Choir, Pianist Larry Wilson, Singers Sarah and Dahlia, and Worship Music by Eric Lee Brumley.

Speakers for the day include: Rev. Jose Ferreras, Rev. Richard K. Leahey, and Mike Quilty as Master of Ceremonies.

Food trucks will also be on-site. Attendees are encouraged to bring water, a chair/picnic blanket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. Food, Ice Cream/Lemondade trucks on site.

Rev. Butera said most importantly, their team will offer a time of prayer for state and local representatives, first responders, and school committees—both in English and Spanish.

“At 12:00 PM, all leaders who are present in this celebration will be asked to join us on stage,” he said. “Spiritual leaders will lead in prayer, seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in your decisions as you lead and represent the residents of Rhode Island. We will be asking for His presence in our school committees and school administrators’ hearts, as they guide our children in becoming upright citizens helping to propel our state in the future.”

Spiritual leaders will also be seeking God’s divine protection over first responders.

According to Rev. Butera, several colleagues from a men’s fellowship Bible Study that meets on Saturday mornings prayed together and wanted to bring a united Christian event to the community and came up with the idea and named the event Believers United in Christ. The core team includes Charlie Benson, Mike Quilty, Felix Marinelli, Jr., and Michelle Bellagamba.

They agreed that Johnston Memorial Park was the best venue to hold this event as a central location for the surrounding communities. Wesley Pennington, retired from the RI State Police and Director of Mothers Against Drug Driving (MADD), is also supporting this event. Members of the core team belong to many different churches, which support numerous ministries and outreach programs.

“The incentive for this event is for the power of God to move within the churches as they humble themselves as a body of believers seeking God’s sovereign power to heal our nation. This comes straight out of the Bible. 2^nd Chronicles 7:14. This is the bacKBOne behind the vision for this event,” Rev. Butera noted.  

The team hopes to have this event on a yearly basis in other parts of the state as well. For the moment, they pray for this event to be successful.

Rev. Butera noted that they are passionate about bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone. This event is about bringing all Christian churches, regardless of denominations, who believe in the word of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, to pray, praise, and worship as followers of Jesus Christ together for a glorious day. Seeking God’s divine presence and guidance within all facets of our culture and society.

The core team is devoted to a life of serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They utilize the talents God has bestowed upon and the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit to glorify God, do His work, and renew lives by bringing the light of the Gospel to all people.

They will be accepting donations to help offset the cost of the event.

Born and raised in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Rev. Butera is one of five siblings raised with strong values and working principles in which the love of God, family, and Country were instilled deep within the roots of his  heart. He comes from a family of ministers serving God: his great-grandfather, of Greystone Methodist Church; and his brother, Don Butera, is a missionary to Indonesia.

Rev. Butera is a Certified Minister of the Assemblies of God, a graduate of Northpoint Bible College: with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Theology and Pastoral Studies, and Global University Berean School of the Bible: Certification in Principals of Biblical Counseling.

Rev. Butera said, “As people know, our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, and it often feels like the church’s voice has been too quiet amidst the turmoil. This is a critical time for the church to stand up and speak. We frequently see large gatherings advocating for various causes. This event is to show solidarity as believers united in Christ, we can demonstrate our commitment to faith and the moral values prescribed within the pages of the Holy Bible.”

“We, as a team, encourage you to join us at our Believers United in Christ event and bring your congregation. Together, we can be a powerful witness to the strength and unity of the Christian community.”

For more information:  https://believersunitedinchrist.com/. Additional information about this event, please contact Rev. Butera at 401-474-3428 or [email protected].