Fresno church takes down hostage memorial wall after last 20 captives freed

FRESNO, Calif. — For nearly two years, the faces of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel stood as a solemn reminder in the window of Cornerstone Church’s administration building on Fulton Street in Downtown Fresno.

Each photo represented a life in limbo, and for many in the community, the wall of faces became both a call to prayer and a symbol of hope.

Now, with all surviving hostages released, church members gathered to take the display down.

“This is what we have been waiting for,” said Pastor Jim Franklin to the church members who gathered Tuesday evening to watch as they pulled the pictures down.

Cornerstone Church first put up the memorial wall shortly after the October 7th attacks.

As the names and faces of the more than 200 kidnapped individuals became public, their images were added to the display.

“We came together as a community, supporting and praying over and over again,” said Pastor Joey Ferrer. “We never forgot any of them.”

That dedication continued through nearly two years of uncertainty. The church held prayer gatherings, community vigils, and stood in solidarity with families thousands of miles away.

This week, a long-awaited breakthrough arrived.

As part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the final 20 living hostages were freed and returned home.

That news brought immense relief to people all around the world that have been praying for their release and staying hopeful.

“Very relieved,” Ferrer added. “The members are now back home safe, and that’s something that we’ve been praying for a long, long time.”

The church community led a moment of reflection and prayer.

Lord, we thank you that we have finally come to a point of peace.

For Pastor Franklin, the blank wall now holds a different kind of meaning, one where families are reunited and “homes that are not blank.”

But behind that empty wall is a church community that will never forget how deeply they prayed for this day to come.

“I pray we never have to put pictures up like that again,” Franklin said. “Amen,” the crowd echoed.

As the display comes down, Cornerstone Church continues to pray for the healing of returning families and for those still mourning the loved ones lost.