Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Howard Switzer of Struthers, left, and Tom Davis of Boardman grill hot dogs during Tuesday’s inaugural community picnic at Christ Community Church in Campbell.

CAMPBELL — Manuel Vazquez fondly recalled childhood musical moments in which he sang in the backseat of his parents’ vehicle.

“I (now) sing in churches and at Christian events,” Vazquez, 28, who’s part of the Christian-based Jericho Project, said.

The latest such event in which Vazquez shared his musical acumen, which began to germinate when he was about age 7, was an inaugural community picnic Tuesday evening at Christ Community Church, 531 Neoka Drive. Other similar events are scheduled throughout the summer, organizers said.

Hosting the free, two-hour religious gathering was the Jericho Project, a 28-year-old Christian-based organization that brings the Gospel to especially high-crime neighborhoods and areas. Among other things, members host free community events, stage musical performances, share Bible passages and messages of peace and pray for those caught up in a cycle of violence, or who are victims of violence, Francine Vazquez, project coordinator, noted.

Francine Vazquez is Manuel Vazquez’s mother.

“When we go out to the streets, crime goes down 60%,” she said, adding that the organization’s overarching goal is to give people in violence-prone parts of Youngstown and the surrounding areas the tools to believe in themselves and make positive changes in their lives.

The Jericho Project follows the message in Ezekiel 48:35, which, in essence, discusses renaming a city “The Lord is Here.”

Also devoted to ministering to those whose lives are affected by violence is Howard Switzer of Struthers, who recalled having struggled with his own challenges.

“I wasn’t always a very nice person,” said Switzer, who conducts a men’s ministry called the Spiritual Man from his home.

Specifically, he takes food to those to whom he ministers, leads prayer walks and does what he can to let people know he can “relate to their problems,” Switzer said. His target areas include sections of Oak Street as well as Myrtle and Willis avenues on Youngstown’s South Side.

“God saved me, so why can’t he save others?” he added.

During the community picnic, Switzer teamed up with Tom Davis of Boardman to save others from unnecessary hunger via grilling free hot dogs.

Tuesday’s gathering also featured Bible trivia, for which the first winner was Josue, 9, of Youngstown, who correctly answered that it was Moses who parted the Red Sea, as described in the Book of Exodus. For his response, Josue took home a DVD of the 2017 film “Let there be Light,” which tells the story of an atheist who, after a near-death experience, reinvents himself to save his family and his soul.

A family member did not want Josue’s last name used.

The Rev. Daniel Yargo, Christ Community Church’s pastor, said Tuesday’s picnic was one in a series of gatherings the church hosts in continued efforts to be a positive force in, and offer further outreach to, the community. That goal also has carried over into working with school and city officials on projects over the years, he added.

In addition, Yargo expressed gratitude for having established a closer relationship with the Rev. Rafael Cruz Jr., pastor of Unity Baptist Church, since the two churches merged in July 2022. Cruz also founded the Jericho Project in the late 1990s.

“We’re trying to do different things to reach out to our community,” especially after additional challenges that resulted when several churches in Campbell and elsewhere in the area had to close, Yargo continued.

The longtime pastor also expressed sorrow about the death of Campbell Mayor Bryan K. Tedesco, who died unexpectedly April 2 at his home. He was 67.

Before becoming mayor in 2021, Tedesco had served 20 years as the city’s 2nd Ward councilman. He also worked for several decades as a linesman for Ohio Edison Co.

Most of all, however, Tedesco will be fondly remembered for his tireless contributions to the city’s betterment, the high level of respect he generated among his constituents and others, and the powerful legacy he left, Yargo said.

“He put his heart and soul into the city during his short time,” the pastor said, adding, “(His death) was a huge loss.”

Tuesday’s community picnic also featured a game of musical chairs for children 12 and under, as well as plenty of free food and fellowship.