A Howard County pastor opened his church to the community and its leaders to reflect and pray in light of the recent violence in the country.
Bridgeway Community Church prides itself on diversity and inclusion. Wednesday, it wasn't just the congregation that came together. The public, politicians at every level, law enforcement and religious leaders all joined for one reason, to bring about change.
"People are confused. They don't know how to respond," said Dr. David Anderson.
Anderson is the pastor at Bridgeway Community Church. He's referring to the rash of recent violence in the US.
"By having politicians and police, pastors stand up and as we pray for them, we'll have people from the floor pray for them and we'll have people pray for one another," Anderson said.
Local and federal politicians stood on the stage in a show of solidarity for what they call the need for change.
"Our hearts are heavy there's been too many tragedies in our communities," senator Ben Cardin said. "Too many people have lost their lives, too many people have been killed."
For the law enforcement members still mourning the loss of their own, they say something has to be done.
"It's time for us to come back. Service our community, not just the church, the church can't do it by itself not just the police, who have forgotten the lost are of not just protecting but serving,'' said Melvin Russell, the chief of community partnership division of the Baltimore Police Department.
"You don't have to hate, regardless of color, regardless of spiritual belief, regardless of any type of disagreement, you don't have to hate," Rachel Gerald said.
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