Is There a Heaven for a G?: A Pastoral Care Approach to Gang Violence

The moment the pager rings all hell breaks loose. Across the pager appears the words Code Yellow ER: Gun Shot Wound. A chaplain at a Level I trauma center can dread these words. These words mean its gonna be a long night. These words mean somebody is probably fighting for their life right now. How does a hospital chaplain provide pastoral care to gang member patients? What are the systemic factors that contribute to gang violence? How does the American culture contribute to gang violence? What is the church called to be and do? Where is the hope? These are just some of the questions that this fast-paced energetic book tackles ultimately leaving one to theologically grapple with the question: Is There A Heaven For A G (or Gangster)? Buckle up and get ready for this adrenaline ride. One thing is for certain after engaging this book readers wont view gang violence in the same way ever again. Through powerful narrative laced with profound insight Rev. Danielle Buhuro proclaims a role for the hospital chaplain in a society saturated with violence. While acknowledging grief and outrage she points to a hopeful wisdom learned from experience refined by training and rooted in the Scriptures. Is There a Heaven for a G? is a must read not just for ministry professionals but for all caregivers who reach out to people and families who have been victimized by violence. --Curtiss Paul DeYoung Executive Director Community Renewal Society Chicago Is there a heaven for a G? Buhuro poignantly brings this question to the fore as it takes shape at ground zero of the brutal violence gripping the Black community in Chicago. Through a deft exploration through the lens of pastoral care of the systemic and relational sources of this communal violence she has created a resource that is a must-read for anyone engaged in or preparing for ministry within communities dealing with cycles of lethal violence. --Stephen G. Ray Jr. Neal A. and Ila F. Fisher Professor of Theology Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Danielle J. Buhuro is a certified Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at Advocate South Suburban and Trinity Hospitals in Chicago. She is also senior pastor of Lincoln Memorial UCC in Chicago.