During a recent dream Johnnie Rouse, a member of Grace Baptist Church, envisioned she was out in the street praying and bringing the community together.
“In the dream I was praying that God would change this community from all the drive-bys and crime that we see today into a place where He is present,” Rouse said.
In between the abandoned houses, the police reports and lost hope, faith is starting to play a bigger role in the community. Established churches, along with individuals who feel called to minister to the area, are trying to make an impact.
For the traditional churches in Weinland Park, getting back into the community is one of their top priorities.
“If we can reconnect with the community, we can minister to people who are going through a tough time and show them that we’ve all been through hardships,” said Kate Hayes, an elder at the Seventh Avenue Church. “We need to show them that we are here to see them through this.”
Not having the doors of the churches open during the day is one of the biggest problems leaders of both congregations see as a barrier to having a better relationship with the community.
Seventh Avenue’s most recent pastor, the late Emmett Morris, who passed away six weeks ago, managed to keep the church open for the community. Since his death, the other pastors have been trying to continue the trend. Associate Pastor Robert Hayes has been working to make the church more accessible.
The church will be offering its annual Vacation Bible School to the children of the community this week as a way of reaching out. Traditionally, the program attracts 70 to 80 children for the week-long event and provides them with lunch.
