‘Prayer on the 9’: Pastor Hannah, Community Unite for Safer Chicago Summer

Chicago, get ready to join Pastor John F. Hannah of New Life Covenant Church SE in the Grand Crossing community on Saturday, May 25, for their annual event, “Prayer on the 9.”& This essential gathering is an opportunity to kick off Chicago’s summer with much-needed prayer, compassion and hope for a safe summer.& As a former youth pastor and juvenile probation officer, Pastor Hannah has seen firsthand the impact of foundational trauma, which can lead to violence if unaddressed. Recognizing the signs of violence and ways to mitigate them, Pastor Hannah approached the Grand Crossing community with hope, believing that united efforts could bring about change. Given the church’s immersion into the Grand Crossing community, where many members frequent and others live, it was imperative to enact measures to keep not only members but also those within the community safe. Standing on Business: Providing Support The Community Needs & With more than 170 homicides in Chicago (at the time of this writing) in 2024, change must happen expeditiously to reduce gun violence in the city. However, “This isn’t solely a Chicago problem, but an American problem,” said Pastor Hannah. America faces challenges with the use and accessibility of guns. Despite...