Following shooting death of rapper Takeoff, Atlanta pastor calls for action against crime

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A video of a well-known Atlanta pastor calling young Black men to the altar during a church service is going viral.

Pastor Jamal Bryant issued a call to action during Sunday’s church service at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia.

“Today, I want to pray a hedge fence of protection for our young Black men in this community. I want to ask all of our young Black men to come to the altar, Black men,” said Pastor Jamal Bryant.

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The video is now going viral on social media. Bryant wanted all young Black men under 20 years old in the sanctuary to come to the altar.

Bryant held the powerful moment during the middle of service. Bryant said the prayer was needed. “I’m afraid that this generation is adjusting to a culture of violence with no redress. This summer and this fall, we lost six rappers to gun violence,” said Bryant.

Bryant spoke with Channel 2′s Larry Spruill about the most recent high-profile murder of Rapper ‘Takeoff’ from Atlanta’s music group ‘Migos.’ Takeoff was shot and killed in Houston.

“Yet, we wonder why our young people are under distress, anxiety, under depression, because all of the people they look up to are now falling below zero,” said Bryant.

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In the video, Bryant praised the young men at the altar and said, “Y’all better shout for these young men. Come on, you better shout for these business leaders. Would you open up your young men? These young men are going to change the world.”

But Bryant didn’t just stop with young men. He said, “Now I want all Black men to come to the altar and surround our boys.”

Bryant said the church has to act now. “I want New Birth to really lead the way,” he said.

Bryant said the gun violence has invaded our country and city. Yes, he believes in the power of prayer, but he said we can’t stop there. “I believe that prayer works, but Fredrick Douglas said I got more prayers answered, when I got my off my knees. I think prayer is the beginning, but an actionable executable plan has to come behind it.”

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