Walk a Mile Wednesday: Embassy, the DPD, and the Final Stop of the Ice Cream Tour

One block, one evening, one city.

On the final Wednesday evening of SIS-HER’s Keepin’ Kids Safe Ice Cream Tour, Embassy Covenant Church International joined the Detroit Police Department, Alternatives for Girls, and Chief Todd A. Bettison for Walk a Mile Wednesday — one mile through southwest Detroit, together, in daylight that was almost spent.

Walk a Mile Wednesday is simple on paper. Residents, officers, and city leaders walk one mile on the same block, at the same time, for the same reason — to be known to each other. The gospel is not simple on paper, but it looks a lot like this on a sidewalk: people choosing to be in the same room, long enough that the room becomes a neighborhood again.

Our Embassy family came with a specific posture. We came to serve, to pray, and to be present. Members and ministers stood with the Keepin’ Kids Safe ice cream truck handing out treats to children. Pastors prayed with residents who asked for prayer. The chief walked. The officers walked. Our people walked.

Why we show up

It is tempting to make church events into their own category — separate from “the real work” of a city. Embassy does not read the Scriptures that way.

Jeremiah told the exiles, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). Jesus told the disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). The city is not Embassy’s audience. The city is Embassy’s assignment.

Walking a mile with Detroit officers and residents is one small expression of that assignment. Showing up to pray, hand out ice cream, listen to a story, and know a few new names does not fix the city — but it keeps us from pretending the city is not ours to love.

Thank you

Thank you to Chief Todd A. Bettison and the Detroit Police Department for leading the walk with character and consistency, week after week. Thank you to SIS-HER (Social Issue Support for Her) and the Keepin’ Kids Safe Ice Cream Tour for the four weeks of showing up with ice cream, child safety kits, and genuine care. Thank you to Alternatives for Girls for hosting us at 903 W. Grand Blvd. Thank you to every member of Embassy who walked.

The ice cream tour has ended. The assignment has not. See you on the next block.