People from various churches came together Wednesday night to promote peace and unity between denominations in Fort Worth.The Unity Dinner, held in the University Christian Church, concluded a week of prayer for Christian unity.

Suzanne Castle-Rolen, associate minister for college ministries, said the Unity Dinner was the finale of a weeklong international event that encouraged unity between churches in Fort Worth.

The event is held in various places around the world annually, but it is making its return to Fort Worth.

“The relationship between churches has been dormant in recent years,” said Tim Carson, senior minister at UCC. “Sometimes it takes a major event like this to jumpstart a change.”

Michael Kinnamon, professor for mission and peace at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, was the featured speaker for the evening.

Kinnamon teaches courses in peace and justice, interfaith dialogue and the global and local mission of the church, and he is involved in many social justice activities in the St. Louis area.

Carson said Kinnamon’s speech focused on uniting churches in the Fort Worth area and building the relationships between congregations.

In addition to Kinnamon’s speech, the TCU Word of Truth Gospel Choir performed.

Carson said it is important for TCU students and young adults to attend an event like this because they are the future leaders of the world.

Kamaria Powell, a UCC member, said the event was very important.

“Unity is important regardless of the cause, but I believe it is especially important when dealing with the unity of Christians.” said Powell, a junior biology major. “This is what the unity dinner is all about, gathering together to uphold and celebrate the thing that we are united for: faith.”

Carson said every year there is a different continent that is the focus of the event. This year, Africa was the featured continent and Kubwinya, an African marimba group, performed.