Teen youth pastor works to stop the violence with his message

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He's preaching from the pulpit, but his message is for the streets -- specifically the young people facing so much violence in the city of Detroit.

At just 17-years-old, youth pastor Trevon Modock is on a mission.

"Being 17 years old, seeing a young lady get stabbed in the chest twice, young people 4 and 5 years old being shot and killed -- it's very heartbreaking so I believe now it's time to speak up and say something," he said.

The city is still reeling from the recent murder of a 5-year-old girl named Isabella, who was shot and killed as she slept. It was one of many murders that gives Detroit the dubious distinction of second-most violent city in the nation.

"I want to encourage the young people to kind of shift their mindset when it comes to violence and do all we can to promote peace and try to knock down this rate of violence," said Modock, of High Praise Cathedral.

For him, it's personal. Just last week his own home was shot up. His 21-year-old brother was hit in the shoulder and is recovering, but Modock says the shooting has to stop.

"Let's find a better solution other than shooting and fighting each other," he said.

That was his message at this recent Worship For Peace rally as he tries to reach more people his own age and tries to be the change he wants to see.

"The more young people we see, the more young people that's involved, the less we have to worry about losing young people to murder and gun violence," he said. "A lot of times we hear that we are the voice of this generation so I believe that it is time now to step up and allow our voice to be heard," he said. "If you see a problem - go speak up - go speak out and let's stop the violence."

To contact Trevon, email him at TREVON.MODOCK@HPCFAITH.ORG