How to curb violence in NC: Burlington ministry believes churches can provide the answer

Dean-Paul Stephens, Times-News
·2 min read

Durham and Alamance County could become ground zero for a statewide initiative to use church resources to combat local crime.

This is according to Durham resident Julia Ross, who has been tasked with outreach efforts for a project titled MLK Peace in the Streets Coalition.

Religious Outreach Coordinator Julia Ross will begin reaching out to churches starting Jan. 17.
Religious Outreach Coordinator Julia Ross will begin reaching out to churches starting Jan. 17.

A longtime community evangelist and outreach specialist, Ross was tapped by the Stop Killing Us Campaign, based in Burlington, to work as its Religious Outreach Coordinator. One of her first tasks is to convince North Carolina churches to commit to offering youth mentoring programs, particularly for churches that are located in high-crime neighborhoods.

"I feel that I would be able to talk to the pastors and get them to come to meetings and stop all this violence," Ross said.

The logic, according to Ross, is if more community churches commit to mentoring youth and other outreach initiatives, said youth wont become involved with violent activities.

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Currently, there are plans to formally kick off the outreach initiative in tandem with Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 17.

"We will be out in the community with an open forum," Ross said about her Jan. 17 plans. "That will be the first one, I think, and we will be doing what comes natural."

The initial forum will be held in Durham, but there are plans to hold other forums in other communities.

Ross and Stop Killing Us Campaign organizer Curtis Gatewood believes that trying to curb violence coincides with the spirit of non-violence that King espoused.

"We know he had an emphasis on non-violence," Gatewood said. "If we are serious about honoring the legacy and life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., then I think we should try to adopt some of his principles, especially those he held most dear to his heart."

Ross said she believed that churches are the ideal institutions for this project, largely due to the roles they play in their individual neighborhoods.

"If you are committed to something and you have the expertise to do what it takes, I think it will be alright."

Dean-Paul Stephens covers racial justice. Follow him on Twitter @DeanPEStephens. If you have tips, send an email to dstephens@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Times-News: Burlington ministry launches fight against violence