As the community continues to grapple with the release of the disturbing video of a black man being shot and killed by a white Grand Rapids Police officer- a local pastor offers words of hope.
“My anchor of hope, my anchor of support is in the power of the church.”
That’s Bishop Dennis McMurray. He’s the pastor at Renaissance Church of God in Christ. His church is where a community forum was held this past Sunday regarding the shooting and killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer. A news conference was also held there Thursday.
Bishop McMurray is part of a group of African American pastors. He says they have joined together to lend strength to each other and to the community finding their strength in God.
“This will not go away overnight and we know that. And we need wisdom greater than ours, help greater than human strength, insight and understanding greater than human understanding, as a man of faith and as a pastor, I’m encouraging those who submit themselves to the power of the cross and the relationship with Jesus Christ to lean in heavy on that, families to love each other and if you haven’t told them, tell them that you love them, and support each other and love each other.”
Mc Murray says he believes the church has a place in the community and the church is a common ground and safe space that will help people sort out the difficulty of this matter.
