For some 20 years now, Manuel Carrizalez, founder of Stay Focused Ministries, has been bringing a message of hope to the disadvantaged and the desperate. He's a foot soldier of faith, working in the mean streets, the schools and large venues, testifying how Jesus Christ rescued him from a life of drugs and crime.
In two weeks, Manny Carrizalez will welcome all comers to The Dome in Bakersfield to hear his message of hope, at a time when hope is in short supply for so many families in Kern County. And his focus isn't just on gang violence, but violence of all kinds. "It's beyond gang violence. It's violence now where people are just snapping because of poverty, despair and anger."
The three-day crusade will feature live music, food and toy giveaways and testimony from men, who like Carrizalez, turned their lives around, to serve their communities in the struggle against violence, drug abuse and despair. "This is going to be a direct hit of hope to the community. So many people right now are broken and battered. Families are breaking up, people are losing their jobs because of the economy. But we're going to let them know there's no greater medicine than hope and that hope is in Jesus Christ."
Carrizalez' crusade has the backing of more than 30 pastors from local churches in Bakersfield. Isaiah Crompton will be there too. His 19-year-old son Joe, was beaten to death two weeks ago in his Bakersfield apartment. "It really hurts to lose a son. There's nothing you can measure it to. I imagine that if we, at this event Manuel's holding, if all the parents and loved ones of people who have been stricken by the grief of having lost a loved one, it would fill this place up. It's about each one, reach one, teach one, and helping our youth. If we're not helping our youth, we're not doing what God wants us to do."
The "Hope 4 You" crusade is March 26th, 27th and 28th at The Dome in Bakersfield, 2201 V Street, starting at either seven or six o'clock each night. Admission is free. And on Sunday evening, organizers will hold a memorial service to remember the victims of violence in our community.
