Walk for Jesus gets new direction

Event to encourage end to violence

By Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 04/12/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT

POMONA - The Walk for Jesus has taken place in the city for the past several years, but this Saturday there will be something different about it.

The walk will go a step beyond encouraging people to open their hearts to Jesus and will ask participants to also become involved in addressing crime and violence in Pomona, said Craig Chisolm, one of the organizers of the event.

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It's possible to have an impact on some social ills in the city if more residents step up, do their part and "put our feet underneath our prayers," he said.

For years, residents have gone to their homes and shut the door to the problem of street violence, Chisolm said.  "Now, so much is coming through the media. ... There is more awareness and people are being more afraid than they were 10 years ago," Chisolm said.

The only way to address the problem is by getting involved in opportunities as varied as Neighborhood Watch groups or volunteer to help families living in areas where crime is a constant problem by getting their children to tutoring programs, he said.

At least nine Pomona-based church groups representing the diverse ethnic makeup of the city as well as churches from other cities are expected to participate in the walk.

The Rev. Morris Carter Jr. of Holy Missionary Baptist Church said this will be the first time that his congregation will participate.

Watching silently while a problem affects a community is not acceptable, Carter said.

"Silence sometimes says, I'm in agreement,"' he said, adding it's necessary for people to shed their indifference, pray and do something to make change.

Churches and their members are "awakening from spiritual hibernation," he said.

Often ministers and their congregations can become focused on what happens within their church, but a walk like the one Saturday can help change that, said Deacon Tyrone Nealy of Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ.

"The walk brings them out of the four walls of the church," he said. Through a walk, members of different churches can show solidarity in carrying out their spiritual work but also in making the effort to reach those who may not attend church and possibly help make a positive change in their lives, said Nealy, another event organizer.

The walk begins at 9 a.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and concludes at Washington Park. The Walk for Jesus will be Saturday. The event begins with an 8 a.m. prayer at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2343 N. San Antonio Ave., Pomona.

The walk will start at 9 a.m at Antioch, go through eastern Pomona and conclude about noon at Washington Park, at Towne and Grand avenues. Walkers will stop and pray at various locations that have been the scene of shootings or other acts of violence.

Festivities at the park will include performances of praise dancers, choirs, gospel rappers and other activities