Eric often meets gang members as he walks the streets. “God just seems to draw them to me,” he says. “I don’t target them, but I don’t pass them by out of fear either. When I speak to them, they realize I speak their language and they’re willing to open up.” Eric wants to show them that Christ is the way

out. “They usually want to do something different,” he says. “But they don’t know where to start. These guys don’t have much education or a skill set. What they do have is a criminal record and a baby to sup- port, and drugs and violence are the most consistent ways they know to make a living.”

A PERSON OF PEACE

This is how Eric met Anthony*, a young gang leader

who had been asked to take over operations for the whole city of Memphis. “I didn’t make any effort to hide the fact that I was there to tell him about Jesus,” he says. “But I was also there to help him in a holistic way.”

Anthony was one of those guys who was just drawn to Eric. “It was a divine appointment,” he

says. “I was out on the streets and just started a con- versation with him. The Lord did the rest.” Anthony’s father had been in prison for most of his life. He found a surrogate family and a role of importance in the gang. He knew his lifestyle was wrong, so he was open to hearing how Christ could help him make a change.

“I don’t let people off the hook,” Eric says. “If they make a commitment, I want to know they’re seri- ous.” After Anthony accepted Christ, just as he does with everyone, Eric required Anthony to call him every day for fi ve days. Each day they go over one verse in the plan of salvation to make sure Anthony understood the commitment he’d made. “They think I’m crazy for requiring that much,” Eric says. “But if they respond every day, I know they’re ready for change and they know that I’m committed to them. We can build a relationship of trust from there.”

Anthony turned down the gang promotion and

meets with Eric regularly for Bible study and to prepare to take his GED. “He had no idea how to

* name has been changed

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