I looked around and saw new faces everywhere. The speakers were faith leaders and city leaders. The people gathered to pray against the violence in a city. They were cries saying, "together, we're better," and "if you see it, say it." The homicide rate in North Omaha has caused many to come together. The answers of only one group are not strong enough. I saw city leaders coming together with Church leaders. Police officers gathering with the people they serve. Day 1 in Omaha and I could already see that God was at work all over the place.
This group was a result of many different groups coming together. One of those groups is called First Responders. This group gathered several years ago to commit to praying at the scene of every murder in the city. They go to each of these scenes and offer to pray with neighbors and families, that have just experienced tragedy. Instead of combating violence with violence they acknowledge that prayer is a weapon against the powerful forces of violence.
After the prayer rally the people gathered for a celebration together. They went to a block party with 400 of their friends and neighbors. What an experience to start my first week of working with Christ for the City.
Wow! That city is alive.
ReplyDelete