Article is based reporting by Sam Kraemer, video by Dominik Dausch, Newscenter 1 and Robert Grant KEVN, Black Hills Fox News.

RAPID CITY, S.D. —Around 50 people demonstrated their support for refugees affected by President Trump's immigration executive order Sunday at the Rapid City Regional Airport through prayer, scripture and words.

Photo: United Methodists and others gather at the Rapid City airport to pray, read scripture and sing in a peaceful protest of Trump's immigration order.  Photo courtesy of Rev. Holly Sortland.

The gathering was organized by several United Methodists pastors, Rev. Karl Kroger, Piedmont Grace UMC, Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, Box Elder, Edgemont, Pringle  UMC and Rev. Holly Sortland, Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC. Those pastors read scripture, offered prayers, led those gathered in song and then yielded the space for others to speak their mind.

Several people also held signs, some of which read 'America is better than this', 'Refugees welcome’, 'Pray for refugee children' and 'Today, Anne Frank is a Syrian girl'.

Organizers said they wanted to spread a theme of unity.

"We had such a great diversity and I think as you scanned around the crowd, you could see that there were all sorts of different people: young, old, in between, and I think that is representative of the fact that loving people is all encompassing,” said Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, of the Bridge Church in Box Elder. “And we can all do that. We can all be kind and love one another."

Additionally, Lehrkamp said Americans on both sides of the political spectrum should share ideas and thoughts on how to address this immigration policy.

"I hope that other people will continue to perpetuate an atmosphere of love and acceptance, and that there is a need to pray for leadership, whether you agree or not,” she said. “That there is a need to just be in conversation and open dialogue with one another -- to make a difference in the world."

Photo: Speakers led prayers, read scripture and songs at the Rapid City Regional airport in a peaceful protest of Trump's immigration order. Photo courtesy of Rev. Holly Sortland.

Others made note of American history, saying the nation founded on immigration shouldn't turn its back to others seeking the same freedom.

Scripture readings were about welcoming strangers as Jesus did.

“I was moved by the number of people and the presence of those who have been working for a just world for years, said Rev. Karl Kroger, Piedmont Grace UMC.

Kroger, Lehrkamp and Sortland hope to continue the efforts to raise awareness of social justice issues in the Rapid City area.  The three leaders are looking at holding “Moral Mondays”— a gathering of prayer for social justice.