JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pastors from across the country and the world will be taking a shot at fixing Jacksonville's crime problem.
The initiative was announced Thursday at the Hyatt Regency hotel; Pastors are making an effort to unite the city of Jacksonville
"This is a God ordained assignment," Bishop Neil Ellis said.
Ellis said that assignment calls for hundreds of pastors from several different countries to join together.
He said the goal is to stop the violence across the city and stomp out crime.
"Anything that does not need to be here and I don't believe that any city welcomes crime," Ellis said.
The pastors in the room, along with nearly 8,000 leaders from various church organizations will team up for the Global United Fellowship Conference. The conference focuses on prayer and unity.
Mayor-elect Lenny Curry said that's also his goal.
"It's coming upon me to lead us as one people and one Jacksonville. That's my commitment to you," said Curry.
The pastors are also working with law enforcement to hit the high crime spots in the city.
"We understand that there is a major crime problem here, and we believe if we spiritual people are coming here to the city, we should just not stay indoors," Ellis said.
"Hopefully after they pray it softens the heart and then we can do what we're designated to do to save our own city," Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, of Potter's House Church said.
Ellis said this conference is the answer to push the crime out of the city.
“Crime has to be diminished if the city is going to be a great city," Ellis said.
He said they'll pray for the city for two hours straight every day that they are in town.
The conference will begin July 7 at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center.
WJAX
