Often, members of the clergy are the first to know if someone in their community needs help. And with our population steadily rising, it soon made sense to former Supervisor W. Curt Boller that one of the best methods of reaching out to newcomers would be through the community's religious leaders.

That initial idea eventually led to a 1993 gathering of local clergymen — bridging both Christian and Moslem faiths.

Their goal: To find ways of assisting any local residents who might be in need of help from are social agencies.

And thus was founded the Brownstown Ministers Alliance.

Today, the Alliance channels those who need assistance to the supervisor's office, which, in turn, refers them to area social agencies for temporary housing, clothing or other necessities. But the work of the Alliance is no longer limited to being a conduit of information: Recently, the Alliance adopted an equally challenging goal — to reach out to the youngest members of our community. Working with law enforcement officials, members of the Alliance have taken an active role in addressing the rise of gang activity Downriver.

Brownstown Ministers Alliance M. Hanif Peracha, President Islamic Association of Michigan 18105 Racho Road Brownstown, MI 48192 281-8050 Richard Macey Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church 21892 Gudith Woodhaven, MI 48183 671-5101       Rev. Heather Holland St. Philip Lutheran Church 1790 Fort Street Trenton, MI 48183 676-7141 Pastor Anthony Rose Our Father's House of Downriver 22365 Sibley Road Brownstown, MI 48192 479-1515       Rev. Ernest Hoffman Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 25402 Arsenal Road Brownstown, MI 48134 782-9468 Pastor Larry Owens Living Word Worship Center 26701 Pennsylvania Road Brownstown, MI 48174 955-9947       Dr. Wayne Halleck Charity Baptist Church 17380 Racho Road Brownstown, MI 48192 282-4626 Pastor Johnny Davis First Missionary Baptist Church 19127 Burr Brownstown, MI 48174 941-1366       Dennis Clanton Woodland Church 24101 Van Horn Brownstown, MI 48134 782-5808 Rev. Curt Swick New Faith Chapel 19498 Middlebelt Huron Twp., MI 48174 783-1490       K.C. Richey, Pastor Calvary Assembly of God 29788 Fort Street Brownstown, MI 48173 379-4914 Pastor Dave Anderson Lighthouse of Hope Community Church 18506 Telegraph Road Brownstown, MI 48174 734-247-4563       Randy Wheeler, Senior Pastor Twin Oaks Christian Church 22333 King Rd. Woodhaven, MI 48183 671-8300   Downriver Sikh Temple 19101 Inkster Brownstown, MI 48174 President Karmbir Singh