CT: Are gangs an issue for girls too?
WHR:Yes, girls are also being brought into gangs - girls increasingly so. Girls want what boys want, boys want what girls want. If a boy wants functionality, so does a girl. If a boy wants a nice car, which his parents can't provide for him or he can't earn enough money for, then a girl wants that too. If a boy wants power, a girl wants power too. The attraction is the same.
But regardless of the attraction, we need to be saying to our young people that violence is not an option, and that there are ways of living that can be creative to themselves and redemptive to other people.
CT: If a church wants to engage with gangs that could be quite a daunting prospect. What's your advice in reaching out to gang members?
WHR: I can understand the hesitation and fear, but I would say get advice from organisations like Peace Alliance, Street Pastors, Ascension Trust. There is a plethora of specialists out there who continue to navigate and negotiate this complex, violent world. I think it's really important for a church to access as much support, help and advice from as many different sources as possible. Get advice and support from them before you do it, but please do go ahead and do it once you've got that support and advice.
CT: Are you optimistic that there will be a turnaround in society, and that as the church, we can engage and make a positive difference that will give young people a new sense of identity and a new sense of hope?
WHR: I think it will get worse if we do not begin to challenge the root causes of violent crime, which centres on family. It will get worse if the church is not mobilised to work with strategic organisations in addressing violent crime on our streets. It will get worse if the Government is not strategic and intentional in seeking to curb violent crime.
If Government and church are willing to work in collaboration with each other, both from a relational perspective and a strategic perspective then yes, there is optimism in the air. If we don't then there is little prospect of it getting better.
The bottom line is that it is our problem. Theologically speaking it's God's problem but He has given us the mandate to work together and to seek to address these concerns. And I feel that if we do not rise up as a society and as a Christian community assume our moral responsibility for tackling violent crime then not only do we let God down, but we let our young people down as well.
Bite the Bullet will take place at Brixton Baptist Church, London on Saturday 12 July 2008.
For more information visit www.bitethebullet.info
