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GREENSBORO — City Councilwoman Goldie Wells has an idea for a solution to the city's gang problem: an organization that has centers in every neighborhood, meets at least weekly and gives young people a way to feel connected to something larger than themselves.

Church.

Is this church the answer to the gang problem? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

"The faith community has someone representing them in every neighborhood," said Wells, District 2 councilwoman. "They have the potential to change things."

Wells sponsored a meeting of faith community leaders Tuesday morning at Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Christ. It drew about 150 participants.

The purpose of the meeting was to identify ways that faith leaders can help keep kids from turning to gangs for acceptance, a sense of purpose and money.

"We've got the gang unit, but the police can't do it all," Wells said. "We're trying to pull in another part of this."

The faith leaders who attended appeared eager to be part of the solution. At one point, the facilitator asked people to measure the issue's importance on a scale of one to 10. The resounding consensus was 10: "We must do something."

Miller Carter, pastor of Metropolitan United Methodist Church, came to the meeting looking for a way faith communities can get involved. Carter said he took away a clearer idea of both the role of the faith community and specific things his congregation could do.

"I hoped to get some information on what role the church could play," Carter said. "I think now we're getting at the heart of what the church can do. I'm looking for where my church can fit in."

John Mack Jr., pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, compared the gathering to a youth speak-out in September — but for faith leaders.

"It's nice to do this because you get to hear representatives from the faith community talk about some of the issues from our perspective," Mack said.

Mack said he was confident that churches working together could have a positive impact.

Jay Wenberg, learning and development manager for the city, led the meeting, using a process called "six hats" to get the large group to actively participate in generating ideas and solutions. The process called for small groups to generate ideas focused on one narrow aspect of the topic at a time.

Wells credited the process for keeping the large group focused on the task and not splintering onto tangents or complaining.

"I'm so pleased with the attendance, the amount of positive thinking," Wells said.

At the end of the meeting, Wells asked for volunteers to work on a planning committee, likely meeting in February, to prioritize the ideas generated at Tuesday's meeting and form them into a strategy. Dozens stood, and Wells beamed.

"They have the ability to change things," she said. "Jesus did it with 12 disciples."

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist@news-record.com