Prayer Service An Uplifting Break From Pain Tornadoes Left Behind

Among those in attendance was Jennifer Doan, a third-grade teacher at Plaza Towers Elementary who lost seven of her students to the twister.

Sunday, May 26th 2013, 9:39 pm

By: News On 6


Once again, Oklahomans are proving they stand tallest with each other.

Thousands of people showed up to the First Baptist Church in Moore for a memorial and prayer service on Sunday night.

The event, "Oklahoma Strong: Coming Together in Faith" was put together by Gov. Mary Fallin, who served as emcee. It was carried live on both KOTV-Channel 6 and NewsOn6.com.

Tornadoes ripped through the state this week causing damage thousands of homes in several counties and killing 26 people. Two in Shawnee died on Sunday in an EF4 tornado, and the EF5 that barreled through Moore on Monday killed 24 and injured hundreds.

Individual volunteers and charitable organizations still are working around the clock to provide immediate relief to victims in what will be a long road ahead. The prayer service was an uplifting event after a week of heartbreak.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

An orchestra and full gospel choir performed spiritual songs, as did contemporary Christian music artist and native Oklahoman Dennis Jernigan.

Among those in attendance was Jennifer Doan, a third-grade teacher at Moore's Plaza Towers Elementary who lost seven of her students to the twister. Doan suffered a fractured spine and sternum. She was sitting near the front of the church wearing a neck brace.

Children in the audience were seen clutching teddy bears while adults cried and held hands.

School buses and volunteer bus drivers from 12 Oklahoma school districts were used to drive people in from all over the state.

"School bus drivers, we're all about helping people in general, you know," volunteer driver Sherry Mason said. "It just meant a lot to me to help."

One of the stories told at the service was of a brave group of Moore Briarwood Elementary students.

It was a lighthearted moment that ended with poignant song -- out of the mouths of babes.

"I told them a real-life hero was coming," teacher Waynel Mayes said. "And one of my little boys said, 'You mean KD?'"

The crowd at the service laughed for what seemed like the first time in a week.

It wasn't NBA superstar Kevin Durant who would rescue them, Mayes said she told the kids, "but maybe a fireman or a policeman."

As they were taking refuge from the EF5 tornado, Mayes and her students sang to keep calm. One of the students specifically asked if they could sing "Jesus Loves Me."

So they did. They huddled together and sang while the storm raged.

"I started hearing the roar of the tornado and I didn't want them to hear it, so I told them to keep singing louder and when they could no longer hear my voice, then they could scream," Mayes said.

Those students performed "Jesus Loves Me" together again at the prayer service on Sunday. The crowd jumped to its feet afterward and gave the children a standing ovation that went on for several minutes.

Fallin praised the first responders, teachers, volunteers and all Oklahomans, who she said showed the Oklahoma Standard: resilience, strength, courage and compassion.

"We will rise," Fallin said. "In the midst of human tragedy we've seen the best of Oklahoma come forth."

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