Hundreds pray for Modesto residents taken hostage by ISIS

MODESTO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of people gathered in Modesto on Friday night to pray for the safe return of Assyrian Christians taken hostage by Islamic State militants in Syria. Many people in the community attended the service at St. Zaia Cathedral.

Stanislaus County has one of the largest Assyrian communities in the United States -- estimated to be about 20,000.

Modesto residents Sharlet and Romel David believe 12 members of their family have been captured by the Islamic State in Syria.