MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – As state and native leaders battle crime on the troubled Merwyn’s and Winner fuel station on West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis, one other downside fuel station on the identical road is getting assist from a unique supply. 

Now the Marathon fuel station will quickly have a brand new proprietor: Actual Believers Religion Heart, a church situated subsequent door. 

“Me and my spouse are elated. It is a very long time coming,” Bishop Larry Prepare dinner of Actual Believers Religion Heart advised FOX 9’s Maury Glover. 

For twenty-four years, the church has been close to the intersection of Fremont and West Broadway in North Minneapolis.  

“The fuel station for us was solely a matter of time that we wish to get our arms on it,” Prepare dinner mentioned.

Bishop Prepare dinner says earlier this week, the church signed paperwork to purchase the Marathon fuel station that has lengthy been a bother spot for medication and crime.

As soon as the church takes possession of the constructing, it plans to kick the troublemakers off the property, forcing them to maneuver some other place. 

Prepare dinner mentioned the church had a couple of aim in thoughts with the acquisition. 

“To manage the nook. To unfold our affect of who we’re as a church and what we do as a ministry. Additionally, to benefit from the financial energy that it may give our church,” Prepare dinner mentioned.

Simply final month, one of many church’s surveillance cameras captured the aftermath when 4 individuals had been shot outdoors the fuel station, sending church members who had been out entrance scrambling to get again into the constructing.

Bishop Prepare dinner says it was the second time in the previous few months the sanctuary has been hit by a stray bullet coming from the enterprise subsequent door.

“My first response is I am indignant. Once you personal it, you name the pictures,” mentioned Bishop Prepare dinner.

Bishop Prepare dinner says the church will proceed to function the fuel station at first, however finally it plans to tear the constructing down and increase its present location, furthering its group outreach and cleansing up the neighborhood, one nook at a time.

“Our aim ain’t to fleece. Our aim is to construct and we’re going to construct large time,” mentioned Bishop Prepare dinner.

Actual Believers is at the moment coaching its members on how one can run the fuel station till it takes possession of the enterprise on Nov. 1.