On Nov. 6, the mayor of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones, worshiped with the St. Louis Central Church after being invited by Bible Worker Branden Watson.

Five months ago, Watson was walking to a friend’s house when he passed a festival. As he looked at the festival, he saw the mayor and her team. Watson visited his friend and on his return trip, he noted the mayor was still there. After saying a prayer, Watson decided to introduce himself.

“I’ll admit, it was a little bit intimidating,” Watson said. “I wasn’t sure what she was going to say, I wasn’t sure how she was going to react.”

Despite his nervousness, Watson decided he was “not afraid to do big things and take risks for God.” Watson introduced himself to the mayor and invited her to attend the St. Louis Central Church.

Mayor Jones and Branden Watson met at a local festival.

After speaking with Watson, Jones introduced him to her staff and over the next few months Watson, with the help of St. Louis Central Church Pastor Rob Alfalah, worked with the mayor’s team so Jones could visit and attend the church.

During her visit, Jones briefly spoke to the church on the responsibility of Christians to their community. Following her address, Conference President Dean Coridan prayed for her and her staff. The church then presented the mayor with a gift basket.

Later that day, Mayor Jones posted the following on her Facebook page: “Grateful to be in worship today with Central Seventh Day Adventist Church. Thank you for the invitation!