The Rev. Linda Sweezer Rowster led the congregation in prayer and teaching Tuesday night as House of Peace Worship Church International hosted a “Back-to-School Night” event for school-aged children and their caregivers.

Rowster’s daughter, Anne Sweezer Rogers, said the idea for giving out backpacks filled with school supplies was her mother’s idea, and the church has been hosting “Back-to-School Night” for years.

Special guest speaker and Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Dr. Tori Holloway gave the children words of encouragement. He told them three short stories of achieving success through perseverance.

Before the backpacks were passed out, Rowster gathered the children in a circle and prayed for them, touching each one on the shoulder as she prayed. Other church members did the same. They prayed for the children to have strength and peace.

“We’re blessed to be able to do this,” Rowster said of the giveaway. She noted that all the backpacks and supplies are donated from both church and partner members.

High school students Kalise Oliver, who attends Warren Central High School, and Jason Davis, who attends River City Early College, passed out the colorful backpacks filled with school supplies to younger children. The backpacks were printed with encouraging phrases on them, such as “Let your light shine,” “Faith can move mountains” and “Jesus is my BFF.”