Shooting for Peace
Recovery of a city after riots isn’t quick or easy. Some neighborhoods never heal. Helping a city lift itself out of pain, poverty and despair is a massive effort and requires multiples of state, private, community and spiritual organizations coming together, giving life to healing movements and events. One such movement, “Shooting for Peace”, by its very title exposes the size of the gap needing to be closed.
Starting April 14th 2016, a variety of ministries, Churches, organizations along with collaboration of the Baltimore City Police Department, SportsPower International and Christian Business Men’s Connection came together solely for healing Baltimore’s youth. The purpose was to present notable others who had faced very difficult futures and succeeded against the odds. It was to introduce students with a better more positive and lasting choice – that being the fellowship and power of Jesus Christ.
With unprecedented access, and the care of the Baltimore City Police, former NBA Basketball players were driven to over 100+ schools in Baltimore City to meet with students and share messages of hope and a purpose. Students were invited to attend the final arena event on Saturday, April 16. Those same professional players had challenged some of Baltimore City’s legendary athletes to play them in the Celebrity Basketball Game at Coppin State University Gymnasium.
This arena event was not just a game-it was peppered with surprises and entertainment and the best gift of all was listening to those professional players giving their testimonies, teaching the students and the adults what Jesus Christ can do to change lives. Ray Lewis gave a testimony and motivational speech at half-time. Everyone heard the Gospel Message and were presented with the opportunity to make a decision for Christ. Volunteers were available if anyone wished to speak and pray about their choice. The Maryland Bible Society provided 500 New Testaments and 250 Gospels of John just for them.
As the Lord tells us, “…. seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be……..and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
Read the full press release here.
Category: News