An Erie pastor has a plan to quell Erie violence, promote hope and healing

It's another night in the inner city of Erie, Pa. The air, filled with familiar city sounds, carries a somber tune, a melody we've grown accustomed to. It's a rhythm embedded in our daily lives, no longer surprising us. The distant echo of a gunshot, once alarming, now barely causes us to flinch. The quiet whispers of yet another drug overdose seep into our conversations with numbing regularity. The news of a life full of promise and dreams brutally cut short due to senseless violence is a narrative we've come to know all too well.

Recently, Patrick Lyons, a leader in our Youth Program, The Content Creator's Lab, taught a profound class on legacy. Witnessing a room full of young minds engaged in this meaningful conversation was powerful. Towards the end, I asked how many had been impacted by Erie's recent violence. More than two-thirds of the room, a majority of our children, raised their hands. Each hand told a story — stories of fear, loss and interrupted childhoods. A girl privately shared her painful experience of witnessing a loved one bleed out from a gunshot wound. That room, once a place of joy and security, became a stark reminder of the reality these children confront daily — a reality no child should know.

Less than a week later, I heard another verse of Erie's sad song. A local entrepreneur, Shateria Franklin, shared her struggle of grieving multiple family members lost to Erie's violence. Throughout our conversation, she said, "We have to do something." Compounding the tension of this profound pain, my discussion with Shateria coincided with the news of the now-infamous drug raid. As a musician, I understand the necessity of tension and release. In an attempt not to be overwhelmed, I had to remind myself that the tension of this sad song must eventually find resolution.

As I took time to reflect, I remembered Dr. Tim Elmore's explanation of the difference between "complicated" and "complex" situations. A "complicated" situation is a tough problem that remains unchanged, like a math problem on a chalkboard. A "complex" situation however, keeps changing, morphing and multiplying, like an air traffic controller managing a busy airport. This is the nature of Erie's violence — it's not just complicated; it's complex.

As I grappled with these complexities, the word "peace" kept surfacing, prompting the creation of the PEACE Plan — a comprehensive, community-led initiative designed to combat Erie's complex issues.

PEACE signifies Prayer and Prevention, Engagement and Economic Empowerment, Awareness and Access to Resources, Counseling and Community-Building, and Empowerment through Programming.

Prayer and Prevention seeks to unify our community through shared prayer and preventive measures that address violence's root causes.

Engagement and Economic Empowerment fosters community interaction and local partnerships to enhance economic stability.

Awareness and Access to Resources raises understanding about the lasting effects of violence and ensures access to community resources.

Counseling and Community-Building provides psychological support and nurtures unity through community-building programs.

Finally, Empowerment through Programming executes effective programs that offer resources and opportunities to at-risk youth and families.

The PEACE Plan, rooted in faith, community, partnership and empowerment calls on everyone to participate, unite and work together towards a safer Erie. It's more than an idea — it's a call to action and a guiding map toward a future where Erie's struggles give way to hope and healing.

This journey requires collective strength, shared experiences and a united front. The PEACE Plan isn't just a strategy; it's an invitation to engage and help transform our city. The tension in our city, palpable and filled with despair, seeks resolution. The PEACE Plan is a path to that resolution, leading us from dissonance to harmony, from despair to hope, from violence to peace.

In the words of Shateria, "We have to do something." The time for action is now. Let's turn our shared dreams of peace into a reality for Erie. Let's stand and work together, making the PEACE Plan a beacon of hope shining against the shadows of violence. Our city and our children deserve better, and we hold the power to make it happen.

This article serves as an introduction to the PEACE Plan, our concerted effort to bring resolution and harmony to Erie. In the coming weeks, we will be delving deeper into each pillar of the plan, explaining how they interact with one another and what steps we're taking to implement them. The story of Erie is still being written, and together we can make sure it is a tale of resilience, transformation, and most importantly — peace. Stay tuned for more information on the PEACE Plan.

Darrell Cook is the pastor of Christ Community Church and executive director of The Empowered Life Community Development Corporation. 

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Pastor Darrell Cook outlines his plan to restore Erie's peace