I wanted to share a story from Houston, TX this week of one of our coaching alums bringing peace and healing to a community in a tough situation. Kevin Pigg, senior pastor of Crossbridge Community Church, is a long-time member of my Renegade Pastors Network and Advanced Coaching alum. He serves one mile from where Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth was recently shot and killed at a gas station. Kevin responded by organizing a massive prayer walk over 25 miles around the community of 71,000-plus. His efforts have drawn media attention – here is one of the local reports as well as a video of the new report. It’s a powerful reminder of how we can minister to our communities during very difficult times.

Photo released by the family of Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth

CYPRESS, Texas – As the moon faded away and the sun pierced the clouds, Pastor Kevin Pigg set out on a walk taking prayers to where they’re needed the most.

“Today especially praying for Kathleen Goforth and for the little ones, praying for her family and for our officers that are hurting right now,” said Pigg, the pastor at Crossbridge Christian Church.

It was a coldblooded killing that ripped apart a family. It’s a crime so callous, it brings grown men to the edge of tears.

“I saw what happened to the officer, and it really got me,” said Mike Huffman.

Huffman is one of just three people who joined the prayer walk early Tuesday morning. He wasn’t able to attend Sunday’s massive march.

“I felt like I needed to do this for his family, for him and all the officers in our community,” said Huffman.

For this walk, the crowds were few, but the steps were many – 10 hour and 25 miles around a community gripped by grief.

“It’s a prayer walk, literally surrounding this community in prayer,” said Pigg.

The walk is a daylong commitment he hopes will send a powerful message.

“I hope this walk that the pastor is doing will bring recognition that we need to learn to live with each other in peace,” said Huffman.

That healing won’t happen overnight.

“All Darren was doing was protecting us,” said Pigg. “He was doing good. It just absolutely makes no sense.”

But with faith, they hope to get through it, one step a time.

Click here to watch the full news report and hear directly from Pastor Kevin.

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Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.