Today I participated in a funeral service for a man whose body was found in a car a few blocks away from the Church of Peace. The service was at the Apostolic Truth Temple, located on the corner of 12th Street and 12th Avenue, just across the intersection from Church of Peace in Rock Island, Illinois. The pastor of Apostolic Truth Church, Pastor Mark Anderson, invited me to participate. Other clergy sharing in the service were the Associate Pastor of that church, Matthew Peterson, Pastor Minnie Babers of the Apostolic Temple of Victory, and Elder Daryl Thompson of the House of Fire Ministries. It was a privelege to participate in this service of support for the family and the neighborhood. Several church leaders provided inspirational music. There were four speakers from family and friends, including one by our Rock Island Alderman Terry Brooks.
Gary Bourrage died of a gunshot wound to the neck. He was 33 years old. It certainly appears to be foul play.
Gary grew up at the Apostolic Truth Church. His aunt, Pastor Rena Dawkins, was the minister at that church for years, until she passed away. Pastor Mark Anderson was Gary's cousin.
This is the second such funeral of a young adult who died of gun violence that I have participated in at one of our neighborhood churches in the last two years. It all just seems so tragic.
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