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By Thomas H. Hagin

Brightwood Park UMC in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with a cluster of local churches and the community, has taken a stand against the violence and social ills that have plagued the District of Columbia, and other urban communities throughout this region.

On July 25, Brightwood Park UMC held an all-night prayer service, which began at 7 p.m. on Friday and the doors of the church, literally, remained open until early Saturday morning allowing worshippers and members of the community to have altar prayer.

Although NBC's local news station's coverage of the event was headlined as a response to the recent surge of homicides in the District's Trinidad community, the church has always been an active community of prayer.

This unfortunate tragedy surrounding the senseless slaying of a 13-year-old child in the Trinidad community occurred about a week prior to the prayer service and peaked districtwide awareness to something that plagues many communities daily.

The reality is Brightwood Park Church planned the prayer service months prior the Trinidad tragedies because similar tragedies have been occurring within the Brightwood Park and other communities for quite some time.

If a change is going to come, the church must become less dormant in the community.

The church is not only a vessel for worship, but it is equally a vessel for healing. It's time we, as the church, take a stand and fulfill our commitment and obligation to our community and to God's people.

Nearly two years ago I moved into the community where I serve as pastor. I quickly came to the realization that the community I had become acquainted with on Sunday morning and during evening services, was quite a contrast to what was happening late at night.

It was an eye-opener. The violence, substance abuse and self-abuse that were occurring right in front of the church were unbelievable.

I began months of personal one-to-one intervention, sometimes driving people whose lives had been torn apart by addiction to other cities for available treatment.

The congregation has also begun to awaken to the possibilities of community outreach and development.

Recently, they planned the all night service to pray for healing in all communities.

This effort was greatly supported by the Rev. Helen Fleming and the Douglass Memorial UMC, the Rev. Michael Armstrong and the McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC, the Rev. John Blanchard and Ebenezer UMC, the Rev. Ernest Lyles and A.P. Shaw UMC and its choir, and the Rev. Evan Young on behalf of Bishop John Schol and the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Pastor Lyles delivered a powerful, inspiring and motivating message titled "God Answers Prayers."

There was tremendous participation by 4th District community members and leaders, school principals and staff, elected officials, the Metropolitan Police Department watch commander, homicide detectives and patrol police officers.

Everyone vowed to work together through unity and commitment to community, to begin the healing.

The evidence of the healing has already begun; but we all must keep praying for continued healing and keep faith.

God answers prayers.

The Rev. Thomas H. Hagin is pastor of Brightwood Park UMC.