(This story has been updated to correct the location of Cathedral of Faith Ministries.)
FLINT, MI - A group of Flint pastors say they plan to “blanket the city of Flint with prayer” this weekend in response to rising violent crime.
About a dozen members of the clergy outlined their plan in a news conference Thursday, July 30. The plan includes taking to city streets from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, in an area between the intersections of Clio Road and Dayton Street to Pierson Road and Dupont Street.
The area is near the Hallwood Plaza, where six people were shot during a a popup party where a music video was being filmed on July 25, according to the Flint Police Department.
“The pastors that are standing with me today will work together and be on various corners with our parishioners to offer a pull-over-for-prayer type engagement with anyone who needs prayer, comfort, peace and reconciliation,” said the Rev. Chris Martin of Cathedral of Faith Ministries in Flint.
The outreach effort will be followed by a program outside Hallwood at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Pastors said they are also planning an ongoing effort to address economic development, mentoring of young people and land acquisition and development in Flint.
“This city needs healing. It needs restoration,” Martin said.
Homicides are up 11.5 percent and violent crime has increased 19.1 percent in the city through July 26, according to police, and officials including Mayor Sheldon Neeley have announced various plans to deal with shootings and other violence that have been in the rise in 2020.
Neeley on Wednesday announced the city would no longer resell weapons confiscated by Flint police in an effort to combat violence and has said he plans a gun buy-back program to start soon.
The Rev. Alfred Harris of Saints of God Church on Forest Hill Avenue said prayer is also part of the solution to problems facing the city.
“Prayer must be part of the equation, and we are going forth and we know we are going to be successful,” Harris said. “We’re going to work as if our success depends upon us but we are also going to pray as if our success depends on God.”
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