Church volunteer stabbed at anti-crime event

CHURCH VOLUNTEER CRITICAL AFTER BEING STABBED OUTSIDE ANTI-CRIME YOUTH EVENT

A church sponsored three day youth event, 'How to be a player', ended in tragedy in London Wednesday night when one of the leaders intervened outside the venue to prevent a street fight. He was stabbed 9 times and is critically ill in hospital, though he has improved overnight.

The stabbing occurred at around 9.15 pm on Wednesday, 28 October at the end of a three day seminar designed to help young people deal with the negative aspects of youth and street culture and make positive decisions about their future.

The programme, co-sponsored by the South England Conference (SEC) of Seventh–day Adventists and Jesus and Ministry (J.A.M) was attended by over 100 young people nightly at the Albany Theatre, Deptford in South East London but was marred by violence on the final evening. A gang of approximately 30 local young people, intent on causing trouble, attacked Simon Somerville, a youth worker who was attending with his group of young people. Simon, while attempting to shield his young people from danger was stabbed over 9 times. Police said a second victim, a 16-year-old boy, suffered stab wounds to his lower body when he stepped in to help the man. He has been treated and discharged.

Simon is the brother -in -law of Pastor Eddie Hypolite, director of Teens Ministries at the SEC and the brother of Yvonne Hypolite, Eddie's wife. He is a family man, a husband, and a father of four. Pastor Hypolite told an Evening Standard reporter that Simon, a former amateur boxing champion, was "a hero" who had stepped in to shield the children from a violent gang.

Scotland Yard said a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in custody.

As a church we request special prayers on behalf of Simon and his family as we meet for our Sabbath worship services praying for his recovery. Prayer is also requested for all of those caught up in these acts for violence and those who are seeking to help them change for the better.

Pastor Hypolite, as part of the SEC Youth Ministries team has been working hard over the last two years to empower communities to make positive choices including the LIVE marches and festivals in London, Dorset and Cornwall as well as mentoring programmes. His extended family, including Simon, have been a part of this initiative.

These acts of violence will not deter the church from its ministry to the community. The church will continue to endeavour to find ways to fix the fault lines that exist in our communities and help to bring about healing, wholeness, and forgiveness as we strive together for a better society. 

By courtesy of Dr Richard de Lisser/BUC News