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By Daniel Evans and Tommy Murphy

As rain fell from the sky Saturday night, hundreds of prayers went up for the healing of Mayor Willie Edmondson, who remains hospitalized.

Undettered by the weather, residents put umbrellas up and stood hand-in-hand as area pastors prayed for Edmondson’s healing during a prayer vigil at Lafayette Square. Mayor Pro Tem Jim Arrington spoke first and City Councilman Leon Childs also prayed. Michael Jackson and Jimmy McMillan were among the pastors who prayed. 

“I promise you Dr. Edmondson feels it right now. There’s no way the spirit of God hasn’t touched Dr. Edmondson this evening,” Arrington said as the vigil came to a close.

Deacon Ramon Allen from Bethlehem Baptist Church in West Point, the church where Edmondson serves as pastor, also spoke during the vigil. 

“We love our pastor. We’re standing in the gap for him.  We have a loving pastor who loves his flock. We’re here to support him as mayor, but we also love our pastor and we’re going to be there for him,” Allen said.

The family asked for no live video of the prayer vigil, and Edmondson has maintained privacy during his ailment. City officials have said they do not know specifics, but that Edmondson remains hospitalized.

Arrington said the last time he had seen Edmondson in person was the Jan. 23 council meeting, but he had participated in all the city manager interviews, at least via phone.

He said he doesn’t know the extent of Edmonson’s sickness but advised they plan on continuing with his mayoral agenda.

“All I know is, as Mayor Pro tem, we’re going to keep pushing what he wanted to do. We’re going to keep going toward what he had set his sights on and hope that he’s back sooner than later,” Arrington said.