Dominican Republic officials and evangelicals are asking residents of violent DR neighborhoods to trade in their weapons for a Bible.

Santo Domingo authorities recovered more than 1,300 firearms, knives, and machetes in communities known for corruption and violence, in a guns-for-Bibles program, aimed at reducing the country’s crime rate.

Church leaders went into some dangerous neighborhoods to spread the word of God to gangsters and other criminals as part of the recent month-long initiative.

“We congratulate all the young people, and everyone who turned in their weapons, that was an act of goodwill,” said Braulio Porte, a Santo Domingo pastor, according to the Christian Post, citing Spanish news website AconrecerCristiano.com.

“When they say they won’t continue with that knife, and prefer a Bible instead, that is transformation and a blessing for our country,” Porte said.

The violence is spreading across several cities and the military is deploying patrols in the streets to assist local authorities to battle the rise in violent crime.

The report states that “The military dispatched more than 3,000 soldiers after a slew of criminal attacks and assaults occurred—often in broad daylight– throughout urban areas.”

“When this phenomenon affects the behavior and lifestyle of the ordinary citizen, it becomes a responsibility of the Armed Forces,” said Sigfrido Pared Pérez, minister of the Armed Forces, according to Latin American news outlet InfoSurHoy.com.