Milwaukee church responds to hate in Colorado Springs

MILWAUKEE - Standing up against hate and promoting inclusion is one way organizations in Milwaukee, including a church, are responding to crime against the LGBTQ community.

At Zao MKE Church, music filled the air on Sunday, Nov. 27. 

"This week has been quite the week," said Pastor Jonah Overton. 

On Nov. 20, a shooter attacked an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing five.

(Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

"I actually received the news in service," said Rev. Overton.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

The crime, more than 1,000 miles away, hit Reverend Jonah Overton here at home. They, along with others, held a vigil following the shootings.

(Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)

"For queer people who don’t have sacred spaces at a lot of churches, the club, in a way that is not understood by others, the club can become that," Rev. Overton said.

Zao MKE is rooted in faith, justice and inclusion. Overton focused on the future Sunday morning, preaching about the Advent season.

"It is the promise that even as we enter the darkness, the light of Jesus shines," Rev. Overton said.

(Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

What happened in Colorado also shines a light on the disturbing violence Overton wants to end.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android

(Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)

"The way we talk about things from the top of our politics all the way down to our family dinners at Thanksgiving, it matters," Rev. Overton said. "Increasing rhetoric of hate increases violence. We need to confront any rhetoric we hear that dehumanizes queer people because that kills."