Our Features Editor, Kim Shippey, recently interviewed Rich Williamson and Chris Womack about their ministry on the streets of the "tough" neighborhood of Roxbury, Boston. Rich and Chris are cofounders of God's Posse, a group committed to steering young men away from street hustlers and gangs, and, where necessary, drawing them out of daunting home circumstances in which good role models and mentors are as scarce as nights without emergency sirens.
Some of the young men the Posse has helped have testified in their newfound churches to God's protection in confrontations with gangs. In one instance, a loaded gun jammed as it was about to be fired. On another occasion, out of grudging respect for members of the Posse armed only with Bibles, gang members put away the weapons they had drawn. These testifiers have described how they have reformed their own lives and how they are now helping others to find spiritual direction.
"We're dealing with teenagers who have been involved for years in promiscuous lifestyles," explains Chris. "They're into smoking, drinking, drugs, sex. They come from fatherless homes, abusive homes. Yet, when we get to know them a little, we find that most of them really want to do the right thing.
