Peace Marchers Declare Love for MoVal

It was a unique sight over the weekend in Moreno Valley, as across the fronts of several Moreno Valley residents’ T-shirts were the words “I Love My City.” As part of the Peace March last weekend, Victory Outreach Church of Moreno Valley organized vendors, youth groups, and other local churches to march from the corner of Heacock Street and Sunnymead Boulevard in support of their city, finishing their march at Sunnymead Park. Pastor Mark Orellana organized the event not only to “preach the gospel, but provide a sense of unity and community” for Moreno Valley, he shared. Pastor Orellana and the Victory Outreach Church looked to involve youth actively and create “synergy and togetherness which will show people that together we can do more,” according to Orellana. This is the third time that the Victory Outreach Church has held such an event and they have been increasing in attendance. The first event had 50 in attendance, which rose to well over 100 for the second, and Pastor Orellana predicted that the third would have well over 200. The event’s popularity was such that Pastor Orellana noted that over 30 vendors called to try to set up a booth during the event. When the marchers organized on the corner of Heacock and Sunnymead, parishioners on megaphones cheered on and encouraged other marchers with words of the gospel. The more than 50 marchers arrived by foot, car, and some were driven in vans by Pastor Orellana or other local pastors. Joel Belmonte, who participated in the march, also noted the large youth contingent in attendance. “Look at the people here. People say that the youth don’t want this. You can see that they are craving something like this,” he said. Shortly afterwards, Belmonte took the megaphone and began outlining the march, telling everyone that their march would be unified and that along their march to Sunnymead Park they would not leave anyone behind. As the crowd of faithful gathered prior to their march, they met in a circle to begin with prayer for the city of Moreno Valley and for unity.