11 April 2011

David KingCAMDEN, N.J. — The city of Camden, N.J., is in desperate need of prayer. We continue to receive sobering reminders of how much this place needs a spiritual awakening.

While driving to church a few months ago, I noticed a group of people crowded around a building not quite a block away from my ministry. Curious about what was causing the commotion — while dreading the answer — I drove over to the scene. Indeed, onlookers were trying to learn the identity of the latest murder victim here — one of several since nearly half of Camden's police force was laid off at the end of January.

Later that month, I presided over the funeral of 20-year-old Anjanea Williams. She was killed by a stray bullet while waiting for an order at a neighborhood deli. Police believe the shooting was drug-related.

During Williams' funeral, a young man came to me with tears in his eyes and said “If fathers would be fathers, this violence would stop.” That was just one of many, and frequent, sad days in Camden. When you talk to people here, you can see the hopelessness in their eyes.

Notwithstanding that Camden finds itself in a crisis situation, I remain convinced that positive change is possible. When the people of God — the churches of Camden — come together and pray and take care of the sin in this city, we will begin to see restoration take place. The Bible chronicles an episode in the book of Joshua in which Israel unexpectedly lost a battle because of the sin of one man. God told Joshua that He would not restore the Israelites to wartime pre-eminence until sin in their midst was eradicated.

The Christians of this city must come together in prayer for the young men and women in the crack houses and on the street corners. If believers come together and cry out to Heaven, healing will begin and lives will be changed.

There are hundreds of churches in Camden, yet spiritual poverty seems endemic. Many church here seem to be preoccupied with the business of church rather than helping people turn their lives around. People here could use the help of wealthier churches that spend their prosperity on sound systems and big paydays for their pastors. There are scriptures that say the man of God should receive double for his work in the Lord, but this city is in bad shape and needs to see all of God they can in the children of God.

I don't begrudge any church its ambition for large congregations and ornate buildings — if God so blesses a ministry. However, God cares not about the size of the church edifice, nor the number of people inside. He cares about whether the flock is being cared for with the love of Christ, our Shepherd. I would love to have the resources to remodel my church. But, rebuilding minds and lives through Christ Jesus is certainly a greater investment of my time and focus.

The young men and women in this city also need practical assistance — such as job-skills training — to realize their full potential. But, first and foremost, they need the word of God.

Many of the youths here carry with them an attitude of cynicism. Who could blame them? This city's children are living amid squalor. Often, one parent — typically the mother — will be too drug-addicted to raise her kids, while the other parent — typically the father — will be behind bars. If Christians in this community would come together to inject some hope into a dire situation, we can steer the next generation away from the “corner life.” We could raise up a generation that would make Camden a community people would be proud to call home.

Until that day arrives, Camden will need substantial prayer support. I, too, will need strength from God if I am to continue tending to the flock he's given me in what is a remarkably discouraging situation.

 

The Rev. David King is the pastor of Community Baptist Church in Camden, N.J.

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