INDIANAPOLIS — Inside Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Sunday service is full of song, fellowship and prayer for our city.
"In challenging times when communities face the shadows of violence, it is more important than ever to turn to God," IMPD Chief Christ Bailey said.
That's why IMPD wants to work with local churches to get to the root of the problem.
"Our places of worship especially here locally are key pillars in our community," Major Corey Mims said. "They help us establish trust in the community as well."
Faith & Blue weekend is a nationwide collaboration between churches and local law enforcement. Through various events, the two work to solve problems in their cities. But here in Indy, they wanted to focus on youth gun violence.
"So many of our young people are being killed every day so we have to come together and have to work as a unit to come up with solutions," Pastor Ronald Covington said.
One solution, holding a conversation with kids most affected by violence.
"A lot of them said listen to us and we need somebody to really care," Covington said.
Until the next service, this church is turning prayer into action.
"Working together works and have to do all we can," Covington said. "We do so many funerals here and I know with us coming together it will work."
Covington told 13News they will be expanding their programs past this weekend and will find new ways to help police curb violence.