When David Patrick Kelley entered the Frist Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, our country experienced yet another tragic episode of senseless violence and the death of innocent people. Reports are now being released that Mr. Kelley had been convicted of domestic violence against his partner as well as child abuse that included fracturing the skull of his infant stepson. Statistics show that when a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, women are five times more likely to be killed. Because of this, many states have enacted laws that make efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic violence perpetrators.

Through a series of errors, Mr. Kelley was not entered into a database that might have kept guns out of his hands.

It is becoming increasingly common in the turbulent days we are living in to hear about mass shootings, with the shooting outside of San Antonio this weekend being the most recent example. As the recurrence of these shootings has continued to increase in pace, leaders in the domestic violence prevention community began to draw connections between the shooters’ history of domestic violence and their actions in using assault weapons to take the lives of many people. Initially, this conversation was not readily adopted or easily dismissed. However, the volume of this conversation has begun to be turned up.

Research reported by ABC News, NPR, and The New York Times indicates that at least 54% of mass shooters have a history of domestic violence. This points to the fact that the issue of domestic abuse does not just impact the spouse or partner, but the larger community.

There are currently several articles that have attempted to shine a light on this very thing:

Ruth Glenn, Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, stated, “I think ending Domestic Violence is a hard charge, but we can do it if we take a stand, get educated, and take some practical actions to make a difference.”

These practical steps could include increased funding for domestic violence services and prevention. It would also be important to conduct studies and to create laws that protect women and children. Glenn also discussed domestic violence being driven by power and control.

She stated, “The dynamics that contribute to mass murder are, in our opinion, in regards to power and control, the dynamic which is the basis of domestic violence.”

The temptation is large to assume that if someone is not in an abusive relationship themselves, then they are unaffected by the issue of domestic violence. And yet that is not what research is showing nor what our current events are teaching us. Our country is becoming increasingly aware that where there are individuals that desire power and control and have access to weapons, there are public safety concerns that we are no longer able to ignore.

The best way to fight against the tragic results of domestic violence for families and the larger community is for men, women, and our faith communities to join together and collectively say, “No, we will not tolerate this any longer.”

Highland Park United Methodist Church has taken an active stance to be part of the solution. A little over a year ago, HPUMC launched Restoration Ministries. Our goal was to provide a safe place for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to receive services in the context of a faith community.

We believe that as deeply devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we must speak out about this issue that impacts one in three women in Texas. We believe that Jesus wants every person to have a safe place to call home and a loving family. We also believe that domestic violence has an impact on so many other issues we face in our society today. Domestic violence contributes to issues like homelessness and poverty as well as mental health. Domestic violence contributes to greater issues of senseless violence in our society.

Restoration Ministries is a program provided by the church to assist women who have been victims of domestic violence. A woman in need of support and counseling may set an appointment with a specially trained counselor, free of charge, to receive information, safety planning, coping skills, and treatment specifically designed to target symptoms related to the trauma of abuse and violence. Every individual that receives healing and hope from the ravages of verbal, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse is a part of a miracle that impacts our communities. Highland Park United Methodist Church has made a choice to light a candle…and that light has already begun to spread into the world.

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8