Washington; day 4

             To meet Rico Rush and Tyrone Parker of the Alliance of Concerned Men in DC is to encounter two remarkable men, passionate, visionary, committed and contagious, at the head of this amazing organization, with a great sense of humour and an infectious attitude to their community ministry in one of Washington’s most difficult districts. Both of these men and indeed many others in the ACM are  ex-offenders, Rico a former heroin addict, who in 1991 on release from prison formed this organization which has the goal of saving the lives of “at risk” youth in high crime areas of the capital. The guys shared with us particularly the truces they have negotiated between rival gangs in the city, both boy and girl gangs, violent and disruptive in their local communities. The change effected by these truces has been remarkable. They are unashamedly a faith based organization and working closely in partnership with local churches, the police and with government. The meeting this morning, as with all their meetings, began with prayer. The sense of God among us was almost tangible. These men have testified before the US House of representatives and the US Senate Sub committee on children and families. Some  of the lines from Tyrone that struck me were, “ before I go into one of these situations I need to soak myself down in the Spirit of God.”  And “ we just use the Spirit of God and the spirit to make change.”  And “ its not just a job, it’s a mission.

 

Gordon  McDade