To combat the growing escalation in gun violence throughout Louisville a local pastor, who was shot six times, has created a faith based anti-violence initiative.
Reverend James Mathis suffered multiple gunshot wounds during a home invasion, but by the grace of God he recovered quickly — and he’s giving God all the credit. He believes it was God’s decision to reinvigorate him with a new passion—to stop gun violence in his hometown.
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Mathis and Pastor Gena Redmon at Mt. Sinai A.O.H Church of God have joined together for a 90 day prayer group focused on stopping violence in Louisville, which has increased dramatically in 2015 and the first four months of 2016, Insider Louisville reported.
“Police can only do so much,” Pastor Gena Redmon said to WAVE 3. “But what we need to have happen, is…everyone to come together as a community to solve this issue.”
So Redmon and Mathis hope this prayer chain will reduce crime.
You know, “this is a new movement, because a supernatural event happened that night…God showed up,” Mathis said.
On April 19th, suspected gunman, Kerry Barley, 36, broke into Mathis’ home and shot him six times. Once in the leg, arm and multiple times in the chest. “[Barley was] looking for something I didn’t have,” he recalled.
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After the alleged suspect fled the scene, the local pastor was able to move his body enough to find help.
“I saw the lights of the Shively police coming very fast toward me, and, Amen, it seemed like God said ‘just go ahead sit down.’ I know God saved me that day and he wants a solution [to gun violence].”
The Mt. Sinai A.O.H Church of God prayer group will kickoff on May 23rd at 6 p.m. For more information about the prayer chain and to sign up for a 30 minute time slot: call (502) 776-1541.
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(H/T: WAVE 3)
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