(Above) Dr. Ronald Williams, pastor of the Macedonia Seventh-day Adventist Church leads the effort to infuse grace into the community.

Chester, Pennsylvania has the reputation of being one of the deadliest cities in the state. Representatives from Chester Peace Initiative discuss how best to create relationships, and lasting peace.

By Ronald D. Williams

acedonia Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Chester, Pennsylvania, re-opened church with community engagement instead of re-entering the church building this past July. Although the church doors were closed for more than a year, the church had reason to open them: people are still hurting and still need answers for life’s most challenging seasons.

“We were not alone either. We met Jesus with community stakeholders who desired to do something different to enhance morale, “ said Ronald Williams, DMin. “We wanted to address public safety and encourage our neighbors.”

Macedonia partnered with Mayor Kirkland and Chester City Council, Walgreen’s, Big Vars Water Ice, Chester Community Coalition, Chester Peace Initiative, Message, Allegheny East Personal Ministries, and Jet’s Pizza, to offer Praise on the Avenue. Throughout this day of worship and praise, the partners provided free vaccinations against COVID-19 for 11 people who walked up, no appointment required. Sharing faith looked differently, as volunteers connected with the community neighbors, some of whom had various mental health, emotional and spiritual trauma. It was also important for volunteers to participate in the healing of a community riddled with gun violence issues, and thus Chester Peace Initiative provided resources. With drawings for $500 dollars in gift cards, free pizza and water ice, the more than 300 guests. We provided mental health access, passed out Message, tracts and signed up people for bible study. We prayed with those in dire straits and made the ministry of Christ more relevant to the concerns of our city.

We are called to be the hands, feet and hearts of God. God has placed us in a great place where we may show off a greater God. We are charged to hug the hurt, encourage the broken, befriend the friendless.

Ronald D. Williams, DMin, pastors the Chester, Pennsylvania Seventh-day Adventist church.