People join hands in prayer last Wednesday during a prayer walk along Tunnel Boulevard to sites where shootings have occurred. The walk was led by Pastor Charlotte Williams to help curb community violence and show that residents are not afraid.
People sing last week as they walk past Jordan Grocery along Tunnel Boulevard during a prayer walk to sites where shootings have occurred. The walk was led by Pastor Charlotte Williams to help curb community violence and show that residents are not afraid.Armed only with the Word yet unafraid, 14 people set out on foot after dark on the streets where the violent prey.
Their starting point was the parking lot at Eastdale Village Community Church on Tunnel Boulevard.
It was just two minutes up the street to where Kenny Hall had been shot to death two weeks before.
"We are not afraid," said Martha Williams, mother of Eastdale pastor Charolette Williams. "We know that God is with us."
The group headed in that direction carrying a message of peace and hope, part of an outpouring of effort among Chattanooga churches that has intensified since 10 people were shot -- three fatally -- during one week in late October.
But the violent were at work long before October. So far this year there have been 25 homicides in Chattanooga, compared to 17 in all of 2013.
Among the faith-based efforts under way:
• Church of the First Born Pastor Alfred Johnson says, "Jesus can stop these bullets." Johnson and members of several churches marched in September and vow to march and pray until "there is noticeable decrease." His church helps men get jobs and has helped at least 60 men in the past year.
• Nation of Islam leader Kevin Muhammad hosted a fundraiser for the family of 28-year-old Terrence Lebron Bivens, who was shot to death Oct. 27 in Alton Park. His group also offers manhood and womanhood mentoring every Monday.
• The Rev. Ezra Maize, pastor of Friendship Central Community Church, is opening the church gym every weekend to assure that young people have a safe place to play. The gym and game room open at 7 p.m. and remain open until the last person goes home, said Maize.
• Pastor Rosena Billingsley, of Branches Praise Worship Center in North Chattanooga, sets up a prayer tent on Saturdays near a Brainerd Road gas station to pray for peace and the specific needs of anybody who asks. She said she's taking prayer to people who might not stop at a church.
And last week, women with United Methodist churches in the city organized and conducted four days of prayer walks and programs focused on curbing child abuse, domestic violence and street violence.
The Eastdale Village Community Church was among those taking part. Other churches include Stanley United, Hurst United, Wells Chapel and Randolph United.
Police officers are also participating in some of the community prayer walks, calling for a partnership between law enforcement and the community to fight crime.
"We want them to know we're going to be here today and not gone tomorrow," said Assistant Police Chief Tracy Arnold, who walked with the Eastdale group but not in uniform. "We're a part of the community as well. Once we establish those relationships, we will get more collaborative efforts toward stopping this violence."
Nancy Westmoreland, right, puts her hand on the arm of Pastor Charlotte Williams, center, as she leads a prayer last Wednesday at a location during a prayer walk along Tunnel Boulevard to sites where shootings have occurred. The walk was led by Pastor Williams to help curb community violence and show that residents are not afraid.The Eastdale congregation believes that praying and walking lets perpetrators and victims know that the church cares about the pain they have endured and that the church wants to help.
Some of the group walked last week carrying Bibles.
As they walked, they quoted scripture.
First, Psalm 23: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ...
Then John 3:16: For God so loved the world ...
Their walk was interspersed with specific prayer at crime hot spots and day-care centers.
The group had gone only a block when deacons and parishioners from New St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church heard the group singing "Do Lord Remember Me," and left their service to join in.
"Much needed," said deacon Harold Sexton of New St. Mary.
On they walked.
Passing a group of homes, Eastdale pastor Williams chanted: "There is power in the blood of Jesus to break every chain."
The group stopped near Jordan Grocery, once the site of a number of shootings, Williams said.
"Not for name, show or fashion," prayed Charles Smelley, pastor of Randolph United Methodist Church in South Pittsburg. "We're doing it to make a difference. Heal this community. Bring peace into this place."
Drivers honked their horns and flashed lights as they passed the walkers.
"Thank y'all," called out one driver. Another driver pulled over and joined the walk.
Some two dozen people had joined the walk by the time the group stopped at a day-care center off Tunnel Boulevard to pray.
The Kandy Kastle on Gillespie Avenue relocated in March 2013 because of violence in the area.
"The children couldn't play on the playground without hearing shots," said owner Gerald Mason.
The church group moved on, then stopped at another day care still operating on Tunnel Boulevard and prayed for the kids.
"We come to this community speaking motivation and inspiration," said Sexton. "We say peace in this neighborhood."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com.