With Cargill Closing, University To Hold Prayer Vigil for Plainview Community

With Cargill meat plant closing its doors later this week, Wayland Baptist University has planned a prayer vigil for the Plainview community in this difficult time.

"Several of us felt like it was time for a prayer vigil, prayer rally in Plainview in light of the closing of the Cargill plant. It's caused a lot of anxiety and fear in the community and we feel like it was a good time to come together," said Danny Andrews, Director of Alumni Development at Wayland Baptist University.

Andrews has organized a prayer vigil for the Plainview Community on Monday night in the school's Harral Auditorium at 7:00.

"It's a community effort asking God to help us through a very difficult time," he said.

Its not only the 2,000 people laid off from the plant that will be affected, Andrews says it will also impact small businesses and schools.

"We are all affected in one way or another by the closing of the plant," he said.

"I know at my job they told us also if in a lot of communities a lot of people start moving we might have less hours at work," said Plainview resident Vanessa Escamilla.

She says she thinks the prayers will help people remain positive.

"God is closing one door for them and, there's going to be another one that is open. This could be good for them, either to stay here or if it's meant for them to leave," said Escamilla.

Andrews says the vigil will be informal and all are welcome.

"Just come and share a time of prayer there will be some special music, some uplifting music and some scripture so we want everyone to come and be together in this process," he said.