The Rev. Daniel Johnson, associate pastor of Congregational Formation and Missions at Second Baptist Church in East Memphis, saw an opportunity to reach outside the church walls and make new friends on the other side of town.

“Back in 2015, I think it was, a pastor friend in France told me a gospel choir from their church would be in the United States,” said Johnson.

Johnson knew the daughter of Dr. William and Dianne Young, co-pastors of The Healing Center in Oakhaven.

Johnson said there were real heart-felt discussions between members of Second Baptist and The Healing Center.

So, Johnson and Second Baptist members surprised Dr. Young and Healing Center friends in mid-June by showing up on their grounds with a huge banner that read, “We Stand ‘Two Together’ With You.”