SC teachers rally to put God in schools

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The State House grounds became an outdoor church service Saturday.

Dozens of educators from all over the state gathered to pray.

"Please convict and empower us to passionately be your light in your school," they prayed. "In our city state and nation."

Elementary school teacher Angela Jones attends the prayer rally each year.

"This gets me motivated back to my first purpose," said Jones. "My first purpose is to teach but also teach the children God sends to me."

Jones, her colleagues, and fellow believers say there's a lack of God in the school system.

They say it impacts learning, increases violence and leads to an overall Christian moral decline.

"There's been so much controversy about whether you can pray in school when you pray, what type of prayer you give," said Richland Two Board Member Chip Jackson. "It has caused those strong believers of faith to withdraw because we don't want to offend folk."

A song from national recording artist Marvin Sapp kept them encouraged while hoping their pleas to a higher power will be answered.

"I'm so excited!" said Monica Elkins. "I'm fired up for the school year."

"I just want to see the Lord glorified," said Scott Schull.

"I'm expecting to see a change in our school system, a change in our children," said minister Lois Brown. "That they will feel better about themselves and they will know someone is praying for them."

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