via:wlwt.com
They are moving beyond the four walls, the stained glass and towering crucifixes, but not the sanctity that drew them to the life of prayer and Christ.
More than a dozen pastors stood shoulder to shoulder Monday and announced a new initiative that takes not only messages from the Bible onto the streets, but also offers services to young men in an effort to detour them from a life of crime.
In the end, they hope to bring peace to this city neighborhood saturated by so many churches, yet rife with shootings, fights and death.
Four of the city’s 17 homicides this year have occurred in Avondale, more than any other neighborhood.
Called Pastors for Peace, group members said they will spend the next month learning about what social-service and outreach programs are available so they can take the message of hope, peace and where to turn to the streets. They plan to mobilize in May.
Many expressed concern with the spike in homicides. Over a 10-day period ending Sunday, when the body of Richard Parks was discovered in a car in Over-the-Rhine, seven people were killed on the city streets by guns. Police have not named any suspects in those cases.
March alone has had 12 homicides, compared with just five in January and February.
“We are called on to pray; we know there is power in praying. And since our land needs healing, we are going to continue praying.” said the Rev. K.Z. Smith of Corinthian Baptist Church.
The pastors acknowledged that many of those in need of such prayers aren’t regulars at their Sunday’s worship services.
“We have to come out of the churches, out of the four walls,” he said.
The pastors will work with already established groups, the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence as well as the Community Police Partnering Center.
“We need to do what we can to let them know there is hope,” said the Rev. Peterson Mingo, who is also affiliated with the initiative to reduce violence. “God doesn’t expect those the (street) corner to come in to (hear) us, we need to go out and reach them.”
Anyone who wants to participate in training for the community outreach and prayer teams is asked to contact either Ennis Tait at 513-259-6050 or pastortait@msn.com, or Doreen Cudnik at 513-602-7029 or dcudnik@gcul.org.
