NEW LIFE COVENANT CHURCH SE WILL TAKE TO STREETS OF SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO WITH “PRAYER ON THE 9” DEMONSTRATION

Thousands will join Pastor John F. Hannah in this Call to Action Against Violence Participants to Wear Red, Raise Photos of Lost Loved Ones and Lie on the Pavement in a show of solidarity
Thousands will join Pastor John F. Hannah in this Call to Action Against Violence Participants to Wear Red, Raise Photos of Lost Loved Ones and Lie on the Pavement in a show of solidarity.
Thousands will join Pastor John F. Hannah in this Call to Action Against Violence Participants to Wear Red, Raise Photos of Lost Loved Ones and Lie on the Pavement in a show of solidarity.

NEW LIFE COVENANT CHURCH SE WILL TAKE TO STREETS OF SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO WITH “PRAYER ON THE 9” DEMONSTRATION

Thousands will join Pastor John F. Hannah in this Call to Action Against Violence Participants to Wear Red, Raise Photos of Lost Loved Ones and Lie on the Pavement in a show of solidarity

Chicago, IL (May 2017) – Senior Pastor John F. Hannah and the New Life Covenant SE Church congregation invite the entire Chicago community to stand together for a “CELEBRATION OF LIFE” on Saturday, May 20, 2017 during the annual Prayer On The 9 initiative. Prayer on the 9" is an annual community outreach hosted by Pastor John F. Hannah and New Life Covenant Church

Southeast. The event serves as a catalyst for social change in Chicago communities where violence is most prevalent. It's a call-to-action for the community to pray and gather along Chicago's East 79th Street as one community, one city against violence of any kind.

Last year thousands of Chicagoans came together and lined two-miles along 79th street from Greenwood to the Dan Ryan on both sides of the street, to demonstrate a unified stance against violence and to pray for those communities most affected by violence. Pastor John Hannah will partner with 3 community organizations in the neighborhood to provide resources and services for the residents after the demonstration. New Life Covenant will donate to

the three organizations over the summer to provide resources for violence prevention and awareness in the Grand Crossing area:

 Breaking Bread: will provide meals once a week to gang members and

counseling

 Greater Grand Crossing Park Neighborhood Network: Hosting a summer

block party every month to create a safe haven for youth to play

 Antonio’s Response: Provides intervention for those who are affected by

violence and calls for organized action whenever a young child is gunned

down. Pastor Hannah states, “It’s time for clergy, church members,

organizations, students, teachers and community leaders to step out of the

boundaries of their four walls and bridge the gap to create positive change

in the community. I am looking forward to collaborating with these

organizations which live in the community they serve to provide resources

after the Prayer on the 9 demonstration.”

Participants are asked to wear red clothing to symbolize the blood that has been shed by those who have died as a result of violence and to bring a photo of a loved one lost to violence. Attendees will gather at 79th and Greenwood in Chicago at 10:00 a.m. for Pastor Hannah’s “Community Address” and presentation of a financial contribution to the 3 partnering organizations. At 11:00 a.m. in the most dramatic portion of Prayer On The 9, “The Step-Out,” led by Pastor Hannah, the group will be directed to step out into the street with photos raised and to lie down on the pavement to illustrate the bodies that have been lost to senseless violence. They will also observe a moment of silence.

“There is no power on Earth stronger than prayer. Together, we will harness the power of collective prayer to address the problems of the community while seeking healing and transformation for the many ills in our society, including all types of violence, poverty, mental and physical illness and more,” said Pastor Hannah who leads a congregation of nearly 19,000 people. New Life Covenant follows the principles of a church of love, worship, word and outreach.

To register for Prayer On The 9, please visit www.PrayerOnThe9.org. Follow the specific instructions for “individuals” or “churches/organizations” to receive block placement assignments. For further information, please call 773-285-1731.

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