That was the message from the Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts, the Baptist Union of Great Britain's (BUGB) racial justice co-ordinator following Saturday's timely Bite the Bullet conference at Brixton Baptist.

Organised jointly by the BUGB and the Ascension Trust, the conference drew together more than 100 Christians to highlight issues surrounding gang culture and to prayerfully consider effective ways to initiate change.

Due to a spate of recent stabbings, it received a huge amount of media coverage, with the BBC, Sky, ITN, Channel 4 and national newspapers all in attendance.

Mr Hudson-Roberts, who told The Baptist Times the media presence was 'astonishing', said, 'The conference was synonymous with a movement of people wanting to be galvanised into action so they can address the issues.

'The biggest thing for me is where we go from here.

'The feedback was full of people saying this can't be a talk-shop, and it was never intended to be just a talk-shop.

'People want leadership in this area, and I sense the church is really wanting to do something. It's looking for resources, initiative and the community to be pro-active.

'The issue now is how do we provide that leadership.'

Bite the Bullet featured a range of speakers, including former gangsters, Metropolitan Police officers, representatives of Trident and others involved in work with gangs, such as the Revd Les Isaac, founder of the Street Pastors initiative.

Mr Hudson-Roberts described the event as more than just a conference.
'The speakers spoke with conviction and anointing. It really was an excellent event - it was one of those unprecedented moments when you feel God is shaking people up.

'I think for the first time the media realised the extent to which the Church is wanting to grapple with these issues.

'We are also hoping that churches appreciate this is not just a London and black youth issue - it affects the whole country.'

Twenty teenagers have been stabbed to death in London alone this year.