In an Oakland church, young men vulnerable to gang violence sit across from prosecutors, clergy, and survivors of shootings, receiving a message of unwavering support rather than punishment. The aim is to demonstrate that a future beyond incarceration, injury, or death is within reach. "We’re going to talk about keeping you and those you love alive and free," Jim Hopkins, emeritus pastor of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, told the men who gather at his church. "If you put down the gun, start taking the (city's) services, we’ll help you find another way." This unique approach is credited with helping the California city achieve historic lows in homicides. Experts point to a program that identifies individuals most likely to be drawn into gang violence and connects them with life coaches to help them transform their lives. Oakland Ceasefire-Lifeline life coach LaSasha Long is shown talking to Bernard, a 27-year-old former gang member (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press.…