Churches and community groups in Waterloo, Iowa, have come together to respond to a recent rise in gun violence in the city. In an effort to come together and build community a series of marches and rallies are being held the next several weeks.
The first one was held on March 17, when more than 200 people marched from Mt. Carmel Baptist Church to Sullivan Park where several local religious leaders spoke. The crowd was made up of different races and faith communities and ages, with many children and youth in attendance. “We have to start somewhere, by coming together and caring for one another, especially our youth”, commented one attendee.

Many who attended found out about the march through a Facebook Group Taking Back Waterloo which was created as way to build up community.
The May 17 march came together quickly in response to a tragic shooting where a 14 year old accidentally shot and killed his older sister. One of the pastors who spoke at the rally remembered baptizing both of them.
organized the Jericho walks around the details of the events in Joshua 6. The idea originated with Pastor Sedrick McIntosh,
chaplain at Allen Hospital. “Not by Might, but by Faith”, was the title of Pastor Jenkins’ sermon on Sunday. “It’s only by God’s hand that we can make a
difference in this city”, he notes.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it” I Corinthians 12:26
Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson
Director for Evangelical Mission