Reporter's Notebook: Chicago pastor turns gangsters' lives around with stunning compassion

Varney and Varmah Voker, known as the "Bentley Twins," joined the Black Disciples and become two of the most legendary gangsters -- until they met Pastor Corey Brooks

A few weeks ago, I returned to the South Side and met Pastor Brooks in his office on the second floor of the church where he ministers every day. In the middle of our talk, the door opened and the Bentley Twins walked in and sat down. Born Varney and Varmah Voker, they grew up as "project babies" in the 16-story Calumet Building that once stood just a few blocks from the church. The twins had joined the Black Disciples gang at a very young age and rose quickly to become two of the most legendary gangsters with an affinity toward Bentleys, hence their moniker. They were and still are also known as the BD Twins due to their Black Disciples affiliation.  After serving their sentences in federal prisons, the twins returned to Woodlawn intent on rebuilding their drug empire when they encountered Pastor Brooks. I first heard the story of this encounter when I met Varney over a year ago while filming my documentary "What Killed Michael Brown?" During that interview, Varney explained that the pastor told him he was the "new sheriff in town" and that if he returned to the streets, he’d better do it in another neighborhood. Varney also pointed out that the pastor had opened his eyes to how he had destroyed his own community with the drugs that enriched him.