Wolverhampton church challenges knife crime with scripture
A Church in Wolverhampton is seeking to warn young people in the city of the dangers of knife crime and gang affiliation by mixing rap with scripture.
NTCG Harvest Temple have produced a number of resources in which scripture is rapped in an attempt to highlight the negative impact that knife crime and gang violence can have. The tracks have been produced in response to the gang and knife crime issues affecting communities in the city. They are intended to be used in local schools in order to educate young people about the dangers of getting involved with knife crime and gangs. Every word in each track is taken directly from the Bible.
Record Levels
The issue of knife crime is becoming critical in our nation. 100 people have been fatally stabbed in the UK so far this year. In 2018, knife crime reached record highs with 40,829 offences involving knifes or sharp objects being recorded by police. Research published recently by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Knife Crime suggested cuts to youth services in England could be linked to the rise in knife violence. Their findings implied that areas suffering the largest cuts have seen bigger increases in knife crime.
The City of Wolverhampton and the City of Westminster experienced the largest cuts to youth services by up to 91%. Both regions have also seen huge rises in knife crime during the same period.
The role of the church
Rev’d Ruben King, senior leader at NTCG Harvest Temple, feels strongly about the need for churches to stand up against the issue of knife crime and gang violence in their communities.
“We feel society needs to be awakened to traditional biblical values and this is an excellent vehicle to speak into the above issues.”
Harvest Temple also has a knife bin from Word 4 Weapons, where people can anonymously dispose of weapons safely in a bid to get them off the streets.
You can find out more information by visiting Temple Sound’s Facebook Page.
You can download the resources themselves here:
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