One felt the 26-degree cold and wind here in front of the NRA headquarters on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  We had a hard time keeping the vigil candles lit, which actually provided an added benefit: huddling together the candles stayed lit and we stayed warmer. A parent of a murdered child spoke, but it […]

The California Violence Prevention Annual Conference on October 10th opened with voices of youth who had experienced severe trauma.  Their stories included grim tales of abuse, neglect, bullying, family chaos, drug and alcohol abuse, running away, trafficking, living in contexts replete with guns and violence, lack of community caring, no future, hopelessness.    Each had […]

On October 10 the California Violence Prevention Network held its annual conference in Long Beach, California. This year’s theme, “Community Healing Through Action,” was viewed through four topical lenses: “Healing from Trauma,” “Healing the Healer,” “Healing Police/Community Wounds,” and “Healing Through Faith-Based Programs.”  I moderated the last session, which included three panelists, all ordained ministers, […]

(Jack’s closing comments at the California Violence Prevention Network’s Annual Conference, October 10, 2019, Long Beach, California) You are remarkable. I wish the nation could see and feel the passion, the caring, persistence, and that even deeper – your felt mission that keeps you going, keeps others inspired and people saved. In Isaiah 6:8 the […]