There was no effort of the two key men involved to “seek the spotlight” for this great “inside” story related to the Ferguson tragedy in the summer of 2014. Two years after it happened I learned of it — and unknown to most — here it is, now available to all.
For years Ferguson Mayor James Knowles has served his small town, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. When first elected, he never expected to have worldwide recognition from tragedy and unrest that occurred in 2014 in Ferguson.
But that is what happened. For months his pictures appeared on televisions throughout the United States and the whole world. Mayor Knowles is now thought to be “… the most famous small-town mayor on earth …!”
While many prayed and many pastors served as witnesses and calming influences, here is another impacting story that may have never been told publicly. The two key people in this story are Mayor James Knowles and Ferguson Pastor Aeneas Williams.
In Ferguson’s 4th of July Parade in 2014 – just weeks before the tragic death of Michael Brown – Aeneas Williams served as the Ferguson’s Parade Grand Marshall. That was the early part of the developing friendship of Aeneas Williams and Mayor James Knowles
From an earlier radio conversation on this website, titled … “Aeneas Williams, in 8 NFL Pro Bowls, chairman St. Louis National Day of Prayer [www.gatewayndp.org]” … accessed by clicking on … http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/224/5/: We read .. “Aeneas Williams is best known for his remarkable success with two teams in the National Football League, the Arizona Cardinals & St. Louis Rams. His 14-year career included playing in eight Pro Bowls and being selected as an All-Pro NFL star four times. As a junior in Southern University, Aeneas shares that he ‘… made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ … ‘ Now a pastor of The Spirit Church in St. Louis, MO, (www.thespiritchurch.org), he beautifully uses his fame as a platform to advance the Good News of Jesus. Aeneas Williams served as the Honorary Chairman of the Gateway National Day of Prayer (www.gatewayndp.org).”
Since that time of radio, Pastor Williams was selected to be in the NFL (National Football League) Hall of Fame!
I won’t give the details here … and since neither of these two fine men ever sought any publicity about it … when you listen you will agree that this “behind the scenes” story of their friendship and desire to serve is, indeed, impacting and powerful … very helpful to Ferguson … and a display of wonderful role modeling to the world!
Additional past related Anytime Radio
To hear … “NFL Great Aeneas Williams with Rams & Cardinals tells of his spiritual journey into meaning in life” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/281/5/ ];
To hear … “Pastor Charles Ewing, uncle of Michael Brown, & Anastasia Syes have important words re Ferguson” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/671/5/;
To hear … “Ferguson Mayor James Knowles – ‘most famous small town mayor in the world’ – a lifetime of service” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/04/22/ferguson-mayor-james-knowles-most-famous-small-town-mayor-in-the-world-a-lifetime-of-service/;
To hear …”New information from Ferguson Mayor James Knowles: winter patrols for the homeless; $10-a-day salary” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2015/09/10/new-information-from-ferguson-mayor-james-knowles-winter-patrols-for-the-homeless-10-a-day-salary/;
To hear … “In a warm get-acquainted radio visit, Bott Radio greets Ferguson’s new Chief of Police, Delrish Moss” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/05/27/in-a-warm-get-acquainted-radio-visit-bott-radio-greets-fergusons-new-chief-of-police-delrish-moss/;
To hear … “Pastor Joe Costephens (First Baptist Ferguson): radio from the streets of the Ferguson, MO conflict; ‘Jesus is the answer’” ... click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2014/08/19/pastor-joe-costephens-radio-from-the-streets-of-the-ferguson-mo-conflict-jesus-is-the-answer/;
To hear … “’Adopt-a-Block’ leader & Ferguson Police Chaplain Jose Aguayo: ‘in perilous times, a call to prayer’” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/07/16/adopt-a-block-leader-ferguson-police-chaplain-jose-aguayo-in-perilous-times-a-call-to-prayer/.