When was the last time you heard a sermon preached, in the church about domestic violence, sexual abuse, pornography, mental illness? Not often or maybe never... These are issues that should be preached about to spread awareness in the church and community, not only to help and protect the victims, but also to save the soul of the perpetrator.  The more we shed light and stand up against these issues we are saving the Spiritual and natural lives of both the victim and the perpetrator.

There are too many domestic violence abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, and mental illnesses amongst church members. We have too many churches lined up on the same street or in the same community but yet the rates for these issues continue to rise.  Many victims, who finally came forward, stated that they were afraid of feeling judged, feeling like others would think they are not praying hard enough, they have sin in their lives that's why these things are happening to them, or that they would receive advice to remain in the relationship. We are not looking to send these types of messages to victims of abuse in the church.

Something must be done and thus, it will be done, by the grace of God! God's Creation I AM is an ordained vision by the Spirit of God for such a time as this. We are confident that the time is here to bring these issues to light and to an end in our church community.

Bridging the Gap Between Church and Community is an initiative to equip the churches with the training tools needed to help perpetrators and victims get the help to decrease or eliminate these issues in their lives, in the church, and in the community.

God's Creation I Am will train the church leaders on how to spread awareness in their churches to provide preventative measures and effective, evidenced based intervention. Church leaders will be professionally trained to develop the skills needed to counsel those facing these issues, identify victims and perpetrators, effectively address these issues, and become a strong support and or respite for those battling with these issues.

We are confident in the conviction of the Holy Spirit to address these issues with the wisdom, knowledge, and tools given to efficiently be rid of these issues.

Read the article below and watch the video on how domestic violence is a threat to the lives of church members and the dilemma that Pastors face with the issue of abuse

.

Permission to use from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

www.pbs.org/religion<http://pbs.org/religion>.