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A local organization is bringing back its annual revival for the Suffolk community after taking a break due to the pandemic.

The Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (SIMA) will host its annual citywide revival at 7 p.m. on April 27 and 28 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St.

The theme for this year’s revival is “Wake Up, It’s Revival Time!” Each night will have a variety of speakers to encourage attendees after being apart for the past two years.

“We want to bring the community together, especially after this long period of time of being limited in gathering,” said the Rev. Anthony Sommerville, SIMA Revival chairman.

The first night’s speakers will consist of local elected officials, including Mayor Mike Duman. The second night will have clergy from Suffolk churches and SIMA, including the Rev. Dr. Robert Hobbs of Metropolitan Baptist Church and the Rev. Henry Diggs, presiding president of SIMA.

“We want to give encouragement and provide an opportunity as Suffolk to come together and move back to where we need to be and talk about God,” said Sommerville. “The main thing is to let the community know who God is and who Jesus is.”

SIMA has been active in Suffolk for 46 years. The organization is made up of members from 30 churches in Suffolk who want to make a positive impact on the city. They hold events throughout the year, including Holy Week services and a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The organization also helps with relief efforts, including donating for hurricane relief and volunteering at a COVID-19 testing center.

“We just want to get the community together,” said Sommerville. “ It’s not just about religion. We do scholarships and different things to get the community together.”