DENTON, Texas — Approximately 400 people gathered for the eighth Saints in Unity event, hosted by the Denton Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in an evening marked by worship, music, and messages centered on peace and unity in Christ.
The program was part of a continuing series of interfaith gatherings sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Texas. The Saints in Unity series seeks to foster friendship, understanding, and shared service among people of all faiths, with a particular focus on outreach to and fellowship with those of African heritage.
The theme, “Peace, Joy, and Healing through Jesus Christ,” framed keynote addresses by Carol Lawrence-Costley and Mauli Bonner, who each shared personal stories of faith and moments when they felt guided by God to serve others.
Lawrence-Costley emphasized the power of Christlike love. “When we love our neighbor, we choose to recognize their inherent worth, dignity, and sacred potential in every person that we meet,” she said. “Just as Christ did, every soul, regardless of the circumstance or status, is of a precious value in the sight of God. When we allow the spirit to help us see Christ image in those around us, our hearts are softened and our perspective is transformed.”
Bonner echoed that message, underscoring trust in divine direction. “All we can do is follow the Lord and the rest is up to Him,” he said. “We just serve each other. We just do His will.”
They were joined on the program by Spencer Smith, a Latter-day Saint and interfaith specialist in Fort Worth, and Bishop Edward Udell, Auxiliary Bishop and Global Missions Director for Christ Holy Sanctified Church. Together, Smith and Udell reflected on the remarkable connection they discovered between their ancestors and the deep friendship that has grown from their shared faith and service.
Udell described the relationships formed through the Saints in Unity initiative as profoundly personal. “These are all people that are my personal friends, my brothers,” he said. “Spiritual friendships, deep spiritual friendships that we are accepting of each other as fully Christian, fully brothers and sisters in Christ, in the body of Christ, working together to build the kingdom.”
President Calvin Griffin, president of the Denton Stake, said the gathering reflects core Christian principles of equality and divine identity. “That is what unity in Christ is. It’s equality. Everyone wants to be equal. There is no hierarchy in the church and the Kingdom of God. There’s unification that allows all of us to be exalted. This is the heart of Jesus Christ,” Griffin said.
He added that understanding humanity’s shared spiritual origin calls believers to greater love and responsibility. “We are spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents. This truth brings new meaning and urgency to the Savior’s great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves… Loving one another is not just a suggestion, but our sacred responsibility.”
Musical worship was provided by the OneVoice Community Outreach Choir, featuring soloist Sonia Evans, whose performances added a spirit of reverence and celebration to the evening. Choir director Trish Hodge has added the choir’s outreach efforts to Saints in Unity, calling these relationships the “Kingdom Crew” in their mutual efforts to build the community of Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the continued growth of the Saints in Unity series reflects a desire across North Texas faith communities to build bridges of trust, deepen mutual understanding, and work together in shared service — united in a common belief in Jesus Christ as a source of peace, joy, and healing.
Photography by Julianne Winzenz