By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Rev. Peter Mathews, pastor of St. Stephen AME Church in Evanston, announces the "Shine A Light On Unity Crusade." The Cincinnati Enquirer/TONY JONES

EVANSTON - When a young man was shot execution-style in front of the Rev. Peter Matthews' church on Fairfax Avenue six weeks ago, the minister knew he had to try to help bring an end to the violence ravaging the neighborhood.

"When death comes to your doorstep, it gets your attention," said Matthews, pastor of St. Stephen AME Church in Evanston.

Matthews said he wasn't that involved in crime-fighting efforts prior to the homicide. But "at that point I decided I couldn't take it anymore and something had to be done," he said.

He spoke with other pastors in the neighborhood and formed an alliance with Cincinnati Police and Evanston's Community Problem Oriented Policing team.

Matthews and 11 other Evanston ministers joined police and members of Evanston's community council and the police team Wednesday to announce the start of the "Shine A Light On Unity Crusade." The three-day crusade will feature speakers, choirs, worship services and a youth talent show.

Dr. Granger Browning, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Ft. Washington, Md., will be the keynote speaker tonight . A "Youth Explosion Talent Showcase" will be Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen.

Proceeds from the crusade will benefit the Imani Summer Day Camp program. Matthews said the money will be used for scholarships for children whose family cannot afford the $125-per-week charge.

"We are tired of all the negative light being shone on Evanston because of crime and violence," Matthews said.

Evanston is a predominantly African-American neighborhood of about.

Neighborhood residents and groups have been trying to fight the crime problem through federally funded programs and community outreach projects, but Evanston continues to have one of the highest crime rates in the city.

Every pastor and a member of his congregation will attend bi-weekly police-community team meetings, Matthews said. He also plans to spend one Saturday night a month walking the streets and talking to young people.

For information about the crusade, call the church at 961-7019.

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com