Church Holds Prayer Call After WSSU Shootings

Emmanuel Baptist Church replaced its planned WSSU Day with a Call to Prayer following two shootings on the Winston-Salem State University campus.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Christianity

Church Holds Prayer Call After WSSU Shootings

Two shootings occurred on the Winston-Salem State University campus Saturday night during homecoming celebrations. Emmanuel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem shifted its planned WSSU Day to a Call to Prayer for students and staff on Sunday.

Why it matters

The church's Ram Sunday typically draws hundreds of WSSU students and staff, and official homecoming events were canceled after the shootings. The shift reflects how local faith communities are responding to violence affecting the university community in Winston-Salem.

Emmanuel Baptist Church held its Call to Prayer service on Sunday, with congregants dressed in WSSU colors and gear. Ram Sunday at the church typically draws hundreds of WSSU students and staff, though attendance at this service was not reported.

The players

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church is a Winston-Salem congregation that holds an annual Ram Sunday event for Winston-Salem State University students and staff.

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University is a historically Black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, whose students and staff were affected by the campus shootings.

The details

Two shootings occurred on the WSSU campus Saturday night during homecoming celebrations, and official homecoming events were canceled. Emmanuel Baptist Church held a Call to Prayer service in place of its planned WSSU Day and is in contact with university leadership about support for the school community and victims' families.

Saturday night (November 8, 2026): Two shootings occur on the WSSU campus during homecoming celebrations.
Sunday (November 9, 2026): Emmanuel Baptist Church holds its Call to Prayer service.

Community Response

Faith-based prayer gatherings have long served as a community response to violence affecting historically Black colleges and universities, and Emmanuel Baptist Church's Call to Prayer follows that pattern in Winston-Salem. The church's decision to replace its planned WSSU Day with a prayer service reflects how local congregations have stepped in to support students after campus violence.

Winston-Salem State University students and staff who attend Emmanuel Baptist Church's Ram Sunday may find the church's support and free counseling services available in the wake of the shootings. Residents seeking support can contact the church, which offers free counseling to anyone in need.

The takeaway

Faith communities and campus services can offer practical support to students after violence, including counseling and prayer gatherings. Anyone affected by the events can reach out to local congregations or university support resources for help.