Tom's Thoughts - Thirty-three shots fired!"

Here is the latest update on the shooting at the Streams of Hope Ministry on 60th Street, just outside of Kentwood.

MarShon Peoples has been identified as the victim of the shooting. He appears very lucky having been shot in the head. Apparently the bullet must have been lodged between the skull bone and the scalp. I have only seen that one other time in my career. Usually things turn out much worst. Praise God!

The article goes on to identify a 16 year old male, Jawon Martin. None the article addresses him by name and I found that rather interesting as normally juveniles are shielded from the press for a variety of reasons. In addition, although the article indicates he has not been charged as the shooter, it did indicate he turned himself in to the Kent County Jail. Hmmmmm, seems to me there must be more than meets the eye currently.

Here is the link:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/01/pastor_says_he_dialed_911_at_s.html

I also recall that with as many shots fired as there were either bullet holes or shell casings found, that there are probably several shooters out there.

Both MarShon and his wife Heavenly Peoples (isn't that a nice name, "Heavenly Peoples"?) have great hearts. Please keep them in your prayers. And while you are at it, pray against this violence and for ways to change the course of these young people that behave in this way. To be that young, having access to guns and cars on a Friday evening begs me to ask, where is adult or parental supervision?

If you are involved in church safety or security ministry, it pays to keep track of these incidents. It is important to review these matters and to be proactive in addressing the possible risks your ministry may face.

We here at HOWSN are available to talk about these things and to make recommendations or offer suggestions.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Blessings,

Tom

www.howsn.net

Tom's Thoughts - Praise God No One Killed and Only One Hurt!

Last Friday evening around 11 PM, January 6th, a group of eight party crashers attempted to gain entry to an event at The Streams of Hope Ministry in Kentwood. This group of eight was asked to leave and admittance was not offered to them. It seems to me that the gift of discernment was present as what transpired certainly speaks to that. As this group began to leave, at least one of them pulled a firearm and began shooting. It is said that twenty five shots were fired. Normally one concealed firearm does not contain twenty five rounds of ammunition. I am going to suspect we may learn more about this aspect soon.

Praise God no one was killed. Praise God only one person was hurt, the youth leader and he is expected to fully recover.

It must have been sounding like a war zone there, twenty five rounds?

This article I attach is one that I agree with. This clearly demonstrates the need for community outreach.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/01/youth_center_shooting_demonstr.html

I believe this party crashing group stopped by in search of something. I believe they just don't know it is that something only God can fill. Places like Streams of Hope offer just that to others, hope and joy and peace and relationships with others and with God. That place stands against violence but yet the evil one does not want that to happen and has negatively influenced these young party crashers.

Please support Streams of Hope with your prayers, with your words of encouragement and with your finances as you are able to. The mission of this group is truly loving and caring.

Please pray for those young people traumatized by this event. Pray for the complete healing of the youth leader.

Pray too that the criminals that perpetrated this crime come to justice. Above all pray that they open hearts to God to be in their lives and revert from these types of behaviors.

Now, we all must check our risks and threats. We all in our ministries need to take actions to mitigate the risks we face. I believe God offers these situations to glean positive methods to lessen these incidents. Let's take time to analyze and be introspective. Please share your thoughts or give me a call. I have some ideas that are low budget in nature to help protect.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Be Blessed and Thank You God.

Tom