North Carolina Research Campus Announcement Invocation by Mayor Ray Moss

September 12 was a monumental day for Kannapolis. Buildings that once provided populations worldwide with towels and bedding provided the backdrop for David Murdock’s announcement of the North Carolina Research Campus planned to replace the empty manufacturing buildings and breathe life back into the 158 acres known as Plant 1. Since that announcement, Mayor Ray Moss has received many requests for written copies of the invocation he gave that day. Following is a transcript of that invocation reprinted with Mayor Moss’ permission.

God, our Father, bless this gathering of people who have come to rejoice with each other over the fact that great things are about to happen on the very ground that we stand upon.

We thank You for the past, for those who had the vision to believe that fields and gullies could be transformed into factories and plants that employed people - people who lived in villages, raised families, and created a city - and who lived in harmony and peace.

We thank you for the present, for those who have, and share, the vision to believe that silent, deserted factories and plants that have become useless can be demolished, and from the dust and ashes a new venture, a new industry, a new way of life, can be molded into a place where people can live, learn, work, play, and worship together. Bless with Your grace this special project.

We thank You for Mr. J.W. Cannon, whose vision 100 years ago created Kannapolis. We thank You for Mr. David Murdock, whose vision today will recreate Kannapolis. We ask that You continue to let Your love fall upon this city and its people, upon this region, and upon this state.

Let us continue to give You thanks for all You have given us, and be grateful for all that we have.

And now let us rejoice together in the exciting news that is to be announced this morning.

Will You hear this our prayer that we offer in the name of Him who holds the world in His hands, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.