- According to the Defense Department,

between 2001 and 2020, morepeople were killed in Chicago

than in the combined conflictsin Afghanistan and Iraq.

Spiritual leaders in thiscity are joining together,

hoping to change that narrative,

and their weapon is thepower of the gospel.

- [Reporter] Chicago isback in the national news.

With 74 people shot and 12 fatalities,

this is now one of thebloodiest weekends on record.

- [Charlene] Pastor Dimas Salaberrios,

a former drug dealer from New York,

knows firsthand thereality of gun violence.

While fasting 40 days foran end to the violence,

he felt compelled to takeAmerica where it happens

in his film, "Chicago:America's Hidden War."

- They were killed in front of my face,

and what am I supposed to do,

go hide in the closet?

I don't think so.

- [Charlene] Salaberrios spenttwo years filming in the city

and tells CBN News he seeswhat's happening there

as a spiritual battle.

- I would say in Chicago,

there is definitely a demonic presence

that I sense when I'm praying

and interacting with people on the street.

- [Charlene] Pastor Corey Brookswho heads a ministry there

called Project Hood agrees.

- There's a real spiritual battle going on

in the city of Chicagofor the lives of people.

There seems to be a spirit ofmurder throughout the city.

- [Charlene] Brooks explainshow evil works its way

into the lives of young people.

- Some of it is gang related.

You have a bunch of splinter groups

who are part of organizations,

and these splinter groupsgo from block to block

and neighborhood to neighborhood

and it makes things very difficult.

- I'm thinking to myselfI could be the next one

that gets shot, dead,anywhere, right here.

- Gone.- In Englewood.

- Forever.

- [Charlene] Children areamong the many victims.

- We're halfway through the year

and over 100 childrenhave been shot already.

We have a child in our film, Quincy,

you know, who sleeps under his bed

because he feels like youknow, he can get shot.

He realized from the bulletholes on the walls of his house

from many drive-bys in the neighborhood

that where his, the level of his bed,

if he slept in his bed, he would be shot.

- [Charlene] That paralysisof fear is spreading.

- We have a lot of parents who are leery

about just allowing thechildren to go out and play.

In our neighborhood alone,we had to McDonald's

of all things to closebecause of the violence.

I've done so many funerals.

Unfortunately, you know,too many to even count.

- Father God, I justpray in the name of Jesus

that you would bringpeace to the city, God.

- Salaberrios' documentary,which became eligible

for an Academy Award,showcases how the church

is combating the darknessthrough prayer and evangelism.

- They're having marches.

They're going door to door.

They're doing things thatthey have not normally done.

- [Charlene] Through his ministry.

Brooks reaches outdirectly to gang members.

- We have a violence prevention team

of 10 full-time employees

that go out into the neighborhood to help

to make sure that there'sno retaliation for violence,

to make sure that wehave conflict resolution

with individuals who are participating

in that type of lifestyle.

- [Charlene] Pastor Salaberriossays a similar effort

saved him from a lifeof crime and violence.

- There were Christians.

Three women reached out tome when I was a street god

and one of the largest drug dealers.

Three women reached out to me

and said, "Can we pray for you?"

I didn't know what that was.

When they laid hands on me,

the power of God knocked me to the floor.

Demons come manifesting out of me.

They started praying in the name of Jesus.

I felt a peace come overme like never before

and I quit selling crack cocaine.

- [Charlene] Brooks believesthat same power in peace

can now make a difference in his city.

- At the end of the day,we can try to supply jobs,

we can try to supply counseling,

we can try to give all kindsof different resources,

but I really do believe, ultimately,

it's a spiritual warfareand a battle that we're in,

and it's the battle for people's souls.

The enemy is out to kill, steal,

and destroy people in our community,

and we have to do everything we can

to push back the darkness,to push back the evil.

And the way that we do thatis showing the love of Christ

in very practical, meaningful ways.

- [Charlene] And the word is getting out

with help from Hollywood of all places.

Recently, Academy Award-winningactor Denzel Washington,

Mark Burnett, Roma Downey,and other celebrities

rented out movie theatersto help spread the message

of the film.

Charlene Aaron, CBN News.