A group of African American clergy in Florence is uniting in celebration of Black History Month to address the plight of the black community in the Pee Dee.
Wednesday morning, the pastors held a news conference to announce their partnerships in Black Clergy Engagement Day.
Reverend Terry Alexander, who also represents District 59 in Florence and Marion Counties in the SC House of Representatives, is one of the ministers heading up the event.
"In celebrating our Black History, let us celebrate our faith that has brought us thus far along the way. The black church, who has been our cornerstone throughout our history and has been and still remains as the moral consciousness of this country. Come let us celebrate our history, let us celebrate our faith, " said Rev. Terry Alexander.
The ministers will hold a forum to talk about many issues that affect African Americans in the Pee Dee.
Rev. Alexander explained, "These issues that are affecting our community now has gotten so bad. The unemployment rate is so high. Our educational system is not doing our children any justice. Healthcare disparities are killing kids unborn and the list can go on and on and on."
The pastors say if the black church doesn't step up, then they're not true to their calling.
"This effort here next Saturday is a starting point of the African American churches coming together, pulling their resources looking into their congregations, seeing whom we can pull out to assist in these areas. We can't wait on no one else to save our people, that was never the case. That was never designed like that. We have to save ourselves and this is one of the starting efforts here," said Rev. Alexander.
Black Clergy Engagement Day will feature speakers from across the state. The Florence group of pastors is encouraging other ministers, lay speakers and church leaders to take part in the event.
It will be held on Saturday, February 18th at Wayside Baptist Church at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m.
The church is located on 1815 Cashua Road in Florence.
If you would like more information, you can contact Rev. Terry Alexander at ber2mat@aol.com.
