SPRINGDALE (KFSM) -- Since the deadly shootings of five police officers in Dallas and the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, congregations in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley have been coming together in prayer.
At Sunday's (July 10) service at Cross Church in Springdale, Pastor Clint Smith addressed the shootings saying it is times like these when everyone needs to come together.
"We believe that now is a time to unite, it's not a time to segregate, it's not a time to get to a point where we are trying to get our agenda pushed forward," Smith said.
The pastor also acknowledged law enforcement and thanked police officers and first responders for the work they do every day.
"Many of these men and women sacrifice every day and pray for the families too," Smith said. "I'm sure there is a lot of anxiety right now and we need to make sure we support all that are helping our city to be the best it can possibly be."
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse agreed, but said there is more that can be done.
"We can also be open to communicating and again be proactive, so those types of incidents don't happen here or are at least less likely to happen here," Sprouse said.
Sprouse said he feels encouraged by his church community.
"As we pray for our police officers, as we pray for our cities, as we pray for our residents that we just sort of stand back and figure this thing out and talk with one another," he said.