Pastor Corey Brooks was fed up.

The pastor of Chicago's New Beginnings Church presided over the funerals of 10 young black men in a single year. The senseless violence and unnecessary deaths were more than he could take. So he decided to make a difference in the most visible way that he knew how.

On November 22, 2011, Brooks pitched a tent on the top of a vacant motel across the street from New Beginning on Chicago's south side. Two stories up, he's been living there ever since, praying and fasting for his city. He is raising $450,000 to purchase and tear down that crime-infested motel in order to turn it into a place that will enrich the community.

Beliefnet interviewed this man on a mission about life on the roof.

Photos courtesy of Jason Thomas www.jlasan.com