Bethel A.M.E Church in partnership with the Social Justice and Community Outreach Ministry of Hemmingway Temple AME Church will host the “Jesus Died So That We Wouldn’t Have To: Stop the Violence” 7 Last Words Service.
The service will be preempted by a press conference calling for a White House National Summit on Gun and Gang Violence. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and young ministers from Baltimore and Prince George’s County will stand in solidarity with children from Baltimore’s most violent and gang infiltrated neighborhoods to demand President Obama’s attention to this issue.
The “Jesus Died So That We Wouldn’t Have To: Stop the Violence” service is designed to bring national attention to how gun control laws are affecting America’s youth.
Instead of just recounting Christ’s story on the cross, we wanted to pair it with an issue that Christ stood against –violence, said Dr. Frank M. Reid III, senior pastor of Bethel.
Minister FranShon Reid, Bethel’s minister to youth, is a co-convener for the event.
“We need more faces calling for action that look like the young people terrified to leave their homes,” Minister Reid said. “We can’t leave the decision-making up to individuals who haven’t experienced our fear or lived out our stories.”
The service begins 7 p.m., March 29 at Bethel A.M.E Church, Owings Mills, 10989 Red Run Boulevard.
Senior pastors are Dr. Reid, Bethel AME and Dr. Michael O. Thomas, Hemmingway Temple AME.
Co-convenors are Minister Reid and Minister Melech Thomas, Hemmingway Temple AME.
For more information, call 410.523.4273 or go to www.bethel1.org.