In the last three days there have been three fatal shootings within 2 blocks of our church. Our neighborhood (Pico Union) is the stronghold and home of 3 of the largest, violent and most notorious gangs in the country: The Burlington Street Locos, Mara Salvatrucha, and the 18th Street Gang. Things have been fairly quiet as far as gang warfare goes in our neighborhood for the last few years, and our neighborhood was seeming to take steps towards becoming a safe community. But since January of this year gang violence has been on the rise again. Of these recent shootings one took place right in front of the grocery store that I frequent on a weekly basis, another was a few yards down from our church. Many of our youth saw the shootings and the neighborhood seems to have been plunged back into fear. I would like to ask that you pray for a few specific things:
1. God would use these events to open doors for the Gospel
2. God would use these events to motivate the church to be more active in connecting with and confronting gang members with the Gospel. Pray that we would be willing to die if need be so that others might hear the message that brings life.
3. God would use his church to confront the attitudes, injustices, and evil that lie behind and perpetuate gangs.
by God's grace
for God's glory
Safety
4 comments:
Your Dad and I are in prayer with you about this present danger and opportunity to witness to your community. May you be led by His Spirt.
We will pray for you guys too. May the Lord grant you grace during this time. We are grateful to have family like you reaching out in the hard places with the gospel.
love
matt and bonni
Stay faithful friend. Preach the gospel with boldness. I witnessed a beating just outside the church and the next day there was a shooting across the street. I kinda know what you and others might be thinking. keep in you prayer.
keep preaching friend!
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