Years ago, one Chicago pastor climbed onto the roof of an abandoned motel because he was tired of burying teenagers. For 94 freezing days, Pastor Corey Brooks camped out on that rooftop, determined to draw attention to the gun violence that was claiming young lives on Chicago’s South Side. That bold act of faith sparked a movement—Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny)—that today is building a 90,000-square-foot Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center, launching a Christian school for boys from single-parent homes, and mentoring a new generation of leaders.
Now, Pastor Brooks is taking his mission on the road. On September 1, 2025, he will begin a 3,000-mile Walk Across America, covering 54 cities in 365 days. His goal: to raise $25 million to complete the Leadership Center, expand Project H.O.O.D. nationally, and call America back to the values that made it strong—faith, family, responsibility, opportunity, sacrifice, and merit.
America’s Youth Are at a Crossroads
The urgency of Brooks’ mission becomes clear when we look at the state of America’s young people:
- Fatherlessness: 1 in 4 U.S. children live without a father in the home (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). The absence of fathers is linked to higher rates of poverty, dropout, crime, and incarceration.
- Youth Violence: In 2021, homicide was the leading cause of death among Black males ages 15–34 (CDC, 2022). In cities like Chicago, many young men doubt they’ll live to see their 21st birthday.
- Mental Health Crisis: Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls reported seriously considering suicide in 2021 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023).
- Local Impact: My state, Oklahoma, ranks 8th highest in teen births, while next door, Arkansas ranks 4th in child poverty (Kids Count Data Center, 2024).
These are not just “Chicago problems.” They’re American problems. Pastor Brooks’ walk is not only about raising money—it’s about raising a generation to believe that their effort, their discipline, and their faith matter.
I’m Walking With Pastor Brooks
Several years ago, Pastor Brooks and I connected on what was then Twitter. Sharing the same last name, we joked that we were brothers by another mother! What started as a joke between us developed into an hour-long phone call one morning, about five years ago, during which we discussed how great vision motivates great generosity with Pastor Brooks. I’ve watched with interest, donated to his vision, and now I’ve volunteered to be the lead for Oklahoma and Arkansas on his Walk Across America. As I started working on this, I discovered that I must first answer the question,
Why Pastors Should Join Pastor Brooks’ Walk
It’s fair to ask: why should a pastor in Oklahoma, Arkansas, or, for that matter, any other state in the Union care about a church on Chicago’s South Side? Here’s why:
- Shared Struggle: Hopelessness, violence, and broken families may look different in rural Oklahoma or small-town Arkansas than they do in Chicago, but the root issues are the same. Our youth are desperate for leadership and hope.
- Biblical Mandate: Scripture calls us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Supporting Pastor Brooks is an act of solidarity with the Body of Christ. Movements of God always start in one place and explode outward. What if a Spirit-led movement started another Chicago Fire that swept across our Nation?
- Kingdom Investment: The Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center in Chicago will serve as a model for churches nationwide. The lessons learned there will impact cities like Tulsa, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and beyond.
- Local Opportunity: Pastor Brooks will be in over 50 cities on his walk. This is our chance to walk with him, host him, and show that the Church across America stands with the Church in Chicago.
How You Can Join the Walk
Pastor Brooks often says he’s not walking for attention—he’s walking because “every block in America deserves a comeback story.” Here are three ways you and your church can be part of that story:
- Pray — Commit to pray daily for Pastor Brooks, his team, and the impact of this walk.
- Show Up — Join him for a mile or more when he comes through your state. Make it a churchwide event.
- Support — Encourage your congregation to sponsor a mile. At just $100 per mile, this is a tangible way to put your church’s name on the map of hope.
Closing Word
From the rooftop to the road, Pastor Corey Brooks has consistently modeled bold faith in action. He spent 94 days in the freezing cold to call attention to violence. Now he’s walking six million steps across America to call us back to faith, family, and hope. The question for pastors across America is simple: will you walk with him? This is more than his walk. It’s our walk. It’s the Church’s walk. It’s a walk toward revival.
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach
For more information about Pastor Corey’s walk and how you can be a part, go to: https://www.projecthood.org/walkacrossamerica
Plus, click on the X video post below to hear Pastor Corey speak to this vision.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, “Living Arrangements of Children Under 18 Years Old: 1960 to Present,” 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Vital Statistics Report, 2022.
- CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023.
- Kids Count Data Center, “Child Poverty” and “Teen Birth Rate by State,” 2024.
- Project H.O.O.D., Walk Across America Sponsorship Packet, 2025