When he was a younger — and much different — man, Pastor Beni Santibañez used to go to a corner just down the block from Trinity Christian Center with his gang to participate in initiation ceremonies.
Years later, after finding God and parting ways with the dangers of gang life, his newfound faith and a calling to help others find theirs brought him back to the north Wichita church building. There, congregants of the nondenominational church opened their doors to Santibañez’s nonprofit, Hope 4 Da Hood, an organization that aims to help transform the lives of gang members, people with substance use disorders, individuals who have been incarcerated, and anyone who lives in a Wichita “hood” looking for community support or to connect with Christ.
On Sunday, members of the church passed a literal and metaphorical baton to Santibañez and Hope 4 Da Hood, which will call Trinity its permanent home after the congregation unanimously agreed last month to give the building at 2356 N. Arkansas to the nonprofit to continue its mission of service and restoration…