FRESNO, Calif. — The Goliath they face is huge: gang violence, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and more. But, like David, United Faith Christian Fellowship is boldly stepping up to the challenge.

The violence hit home for the small Mennonite Breth­ren congregation a couple of years ago when a neighborhood house was hit by gunfire in a gang altercation. The home belonged to the parents of a young woman in the church family and shook up the congregation.