It was a beautiful evening remembering Isabella Joy Thallas and loved ones lost to violence as we prayed for healing and peace at Bella Joy Gardens.

Pastor Haroun shared how there is “no peace without healing” and once we receive this we can truly walk out our purpose, to then go out and make a way to peace for others.

Jesus showed up to do just that – with his presence to heal, reconcile, and restore.

On Wednesday, March 23rd, we gathered in response to the increase in violent crimes, gun violence, and lives lost in our city. Though there are complex issues that go into why we are experiencing this violence, the gathering was a response and a forum to express concerns, prayers, and insights in the pursuit of peace in our city. 

As the evening came to an end the Holy Spirit filled the room as we began to worship and pray for the city and each other. It was a powerful time of receiving encouragement and healing!
 
It was as if the Lord was showing us that the Church gathering and responding in public spaces, particularly places of pain, will reveal His grace and healing to the world.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  – John 14:27

On Wednesday, February 16th, we gathered for an evening to celebrate Black History Month. Amber Kierra, founder of Kingdom Eyes, shared a few compelling stories that gave us insight into how to put on “Kingdom Eyes” to see who we are in Christ and to see our neighbors the way God sees them. She shared her story as a black, blind, female, offering a unique perspective on finding freedom from how the world was seeing her to living by how God sees her.

When a potential employer asked her in an interview, “Can you even read or write?” she decided that instead of being defeated and succumbing to limiting perspectives, moving forward, she would embrace, believe, and practice living in God’s sovereignty, sight, and spirit. 

“I know what it feels like to think that ‘Freedom will come…If only I wasn’t black…If only I didn’t have this disability…Or if only my skin wasn’t so dark.’ But because I’m a child of God I have the ability to be free right now”… “I can choose to live my life not by how the world sees me, but based on how God sees me.”
– Amber Kierra, Kingdom Eyes

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Hope to see you at the next gathering!

On June 10th, 2021, we gathered to remember and celebrate the life of Isabella Joy Thallas, whose life was tragically taken by gun violence at the Ballpark apartments in the summer, 2020. We gathered in peace and unity to pray at Bella Joy Gardens, a newly renovated park in honor of Isabella, dedicated to healing and hope for the community, and to mourn loved ones lost to gun violence.

At this small park in the heart of Denver, we celebrated LIFE with food, fun, and friendship. Then we moved into a time of remembrance, prayer, and a candlelight vigil to raise our light toward spreading healing and hope with our prayers and lives.

In collaboration with Colorado Community Church, Church In The City-Beth Abraham, Denver Dream Center, and Confluence Ministries.

On January 18, 2021 we stood together in unity to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and form a multi-ethnic prayer gathering to honor King’s vision for the Beloved Community. During this time we petitioned God for healing across racial divides and injustices.

“But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. –