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Freedom Center Hosts the Second Annual Citywide 7 Words of Freedom Service April 3

Good Friday Service presented in partnership with Legacy Pointe Church

CINCINNATI- The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Legacy Pointe Church will host the second annual Citywide 7 Words of Freedom Good Friday service April 3. The multi-cultural, multi-denominational service features seven dynamic religious leaders remembering Jesus’ Seven Last Words before his death, along with the words of other inspiring freedom luminaries, from Mahatma Gandhi to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Faith Daniels of Mojo 100.3 will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, were guests will learn Jesus’ seven words from a robust group of Cincinnati’s religious leaders and speakers including: Chris Beard, People’s Church; Elder Deborah Merritt, Executive Pastor, Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship; Pastor Rick Nance, New Vision United Methodist Church; Dr. Elliott Cuff, Lincoln Heights Baptist Church; Paul Booth, Jr., Lead Pastor, Legacy Pointe Church; Rob King, Lead Pastor , Vineyard Church Cincinnati and Bishop Barry Clardy, Princeton Pike Church of God.

The Citywide 7 Words of Freedom was created to reach beyond age, race, gender or religious affiliation, promoting collaborative partnerships and the NURFC’s core theme: courage, cooperation and perseverance. “The vision behind 7 Words of Freedom is to bring leaders and congregations around Cincinnati together to ignite a powerful spirit of unity throughout Cincinnati that will fuel innovative approaches in educating the community about local and global struggles for freedom while spreading the message of the human spirit,” says Paul Booth, Jr., lead Pastor, Legacy Pointe Church. “We are excited about the budding Faith to Freedom partnership with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This partnership will cultivate opportunities for the faith community of Cincinnati to create initiatives that will be a catalytic force in the positive transformation of Cincinnati.”

The Seven Last Words of Jesus were gathered from all four gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This collection of verses is deeply rooted in the Christian faith and Lenten (Easter) season, spanning several denominations. For the church, this time represents resurrection and rebirth, a time to recommit oneself to Jesus’ message of love and compassion for others. Ultimately, Jesus’ message transcended religion, providing the universal truth that inspired the civil rights leaders who rallied the people across the north and south to sit in, to march— making political leaders and legislators “make good” on the promise of the founding fathers.

The event not only serves as a time for the faith community to unite, it also serves as a call to action. “The Freedom Center exists not only to educate our community, but to connect people of like heart and mind,” says Clarence G. Newsome, PhD, president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “We are a community seeking renewal and inspiration— this service will rejuvenate Cincinnatians and connect them to a network of people committed to positive change.”

7 Words of Freedom is presented by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Legacy Pointe Church and is a free event, open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by service at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall. Special performances include musical selections from Legacy Pointe Church choir. Limited seating. For more information call (513) 333-7737 or visit www.freedomcenter.org/7WordsofFreedom. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FreedomCenter, #7WordsofFreedom