The God Squad: A Sanctuary for Solace and Support for Those Suffering From Gun Violence.

THE GOD SQUAD AT NEW MOUNT ROSE: A Sanctuary for Solace and Support for Those Striving to Heal and Rebuild from Gun Violence. 

FORT WORTH, TX – Amid the rising tide of gun violence in Fort Worth, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church has become a sanctuary, offering solace and support to families and individuals affected by violence. As the community faces a growing number of tragic events, the church serves as a compassionate refuge where people can come together to heal, rebuild, and find hope for the future. The Clergy for Safe Cities is working with Pastor Kyev Tatum to address the larger issues.

In a powerful partnership with the Vida Robados/Stolen Lives memorial, New Mount Rose is hosting The Tree of Trauma and the Garden of Grief, a special event designed to help those impacted by violence process their pain and begin their healing journey. This joint initiative provides a space for individuals to share their grief, find comfort, and draw strength from one another and the broader community. The memorial, a statewide project of Texas Impact, serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of gun violence, with a display of tee shirts representing victims of homicide, unintentional shootings, and gun suicides in Tarrant County.

This partnership builds upon years of advocacy and action led by Pastor Kyev Tatum, who has long been at the forefront of efforts to combat gun violence in Fort Worth and beyond. Pastor Tatum’s commitment to reducing gun violence is seen in his tireless work at the local, regional, and national levels.

One of the most visible local efforts Pastor Tatum leads is the Fun Over Guns Rube Foster Pitch, Hit, & Run competition, a hallmark initiative designed to provide youth in underserved neighborhoods with an alternative to the dangers of gun violence. By offering a safe and constructive outlet for youth to engage in sports, the event promotes a culture of unity, healthy competition, and hope for the future. This initiative empowers young people to see the value in their lives and their communities, helping them to choose positive paths over destructive behaviors.

Pastor Tatum’s impact, however, extends far beyond Fort Worth. Over the years, he has traveled across the nation, deeply committed to cultivating a “circle of compassion” in cities impacted by gun violence. From Uvalde, Texas, in the wake of the Robb Elementary shootings, to Sonoma State University in California, where he spoke with students and staff, Pastor Tatum has provided much-needed support to those suffering from the effects of gun violence. His work has taken him to Brooklyn, New York, and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where he engaged with faith leaders, as well as Houston and Austin, Texas, where he collaborated with public health officials on solutions to prevent gun violence and address its aftermath.

As a respected leader in the faith community, Pastor Tatum has worked alongside faith leaders from across the United States to build a “circle of compassion” in these cities. By uniting faith leaders, law enforcement, community activists, and local government officials, Pastor Tatum has championed collaborative efforts to heal cities, rebuild neighborhoods, and create a future free of violence. Through his advocacy, he has helped establish faith-driven initiatives in cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, where gun violence disproportionately affects communities of color.

In his capacity as a subject matter expert, Pastor Tatum has been invited to share his insights at national conferences, forums, and summits, speaking on the intersection of faith, gun violence prevention, and community healing. His work has garnered the attention of local and national policymakers, leading to key partnerships and initiatives aimed at curbing the devastating impact of gun violence in urban communities.

The partnership between these two initiatives is especially significant following the recent tragic loss of Harvey Lee Mitchell, who was fatally shot during a home invasion on January 7, 2025. Mitchell, 49, was found with a gunshot wound after an unknown assailant entered his home in east Fort Worth. Despite efforts to save him, Mitchell passed away shortly thereafter, leaving a deep void in the hearts of his family and the community.

In a powerful act of support, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church will host Mitchell’s homegoing services, offering a space where family, friends, and the community can gather to honor his life, mourn his loss, and begin the collective journey of healing.

The Vida Robados/Stolen Lives memorial at New Mount Rose is part of an ongoing effort to confront the tragic effects of gun violence in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. The exhibit consists of 286 tee shirts marked with the names and ages of victims of gun homicide and unintentional shootings, plus 181 white shirts remembering victims of gun suicide in Tarrant County in 2023, the year with the latest statistics available.

“Each of these tee shirts represents someone’s child, brother, sister, parent,” said Pastor Kyev Tatum. “As a community, we must do more to prevent gun violence, particularly among youth and children of color in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. If we truly believe in the sanctity of each life, this painful exhibit demands that we do better.”

The Stolen Lives exhibit will be open to the public starting January 16, 2025, and will be a central part of the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative events at New Mount Rose. Marsha Moberley, the Presiding Officer of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, will speak at the event. The exhibit will then travel to Austin in February for a public display and will join memorials from across Texas for a rally at the state capitol on February 27. This rally, organized by Texas Impact, MOMS Demand Action, Texas Gun Sense, and other groups, will advocate for common-sense gun safety legislation, including raising the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles and strengthening secure storage rules to prevent gun suicides and unintentional shootings.

“The goal is to reach people across Fort Worth and Tarrant County to take steps toward preventing gun violence,” Pastor Tatum continued. “We must turn our grief into action. This memorial, along with The Tree of Trauma and the Garden of Grief, serves as a call to our community to come together, heal, and work toward a safer, more peaceful future for our children and families.”

The Tree of Trauma and the Garden of Grief event, in partnership with Vida Robados/Stolen Lives, is open to all and provides a safe space for those impacted by gun violence. The combined efforts of both initiatives highlight the importance of ongoing support for families affected by trauma and the need for collective action to address the root causes of gun violence in the community.

As Fort Worth continues to confront the harsh realities of gun violence, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church stands as a beacon of hope and strength—a place where healing begins, and lasting change is possible.

For more information on The Tree of Trauma and the Garden of Grief event, the Vida Robados/Stolen Lives memorial, or to learn more about the church’s ongoing efforts to support the community, please contact New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church at (817) 966-7625, kptatum1@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.newmountrose.com.