a ministry update from Mo Leverett, December 29, 2007 -
We had a lighter Christmas than usual. Were it not for the generosity of our children toward one another, the presents under the tree would have been conspicuously sparse.
My son Manning requested but three things: 1) baseball cards, 2) a remote control car and 3) boxing gloves. He got precisely what he asked for. His favorite however, by far, was the boxing gloves.
I’ve paid a heavy price for his new passion – punches in the stomach, the side and yes, the head and face. He doles out all of this punishment with smiles, grit and irrepressible joy - reminding me much of someone else I know. You see, Manning’s Dad, for better and worse, is a fighter too. I was renowned on the play ground, school bus and neighborhood for my fists – not as a bully, but I enjoyed fighting for what I believed to be a good cause, and I often did. Some things never change.
I remember one fight I was in with a boy in our neighborhood. It was short. Though he was two years older, he left having been humbled. However, I did not know that his defeat led to his increasing desire for revenge. He decided to drink a gallon of milk for greater strength and power. He came out of his kitchen with a renewed confidence and countenance that frankly was intimidating. I decided that I could not contend with his two years advantage and a GALLON of milk, so in fear, I retreated. Looking back, I think one body blow would have done him in!
I am still attempting to fight the good fight. I fight daily with the flesh, the enemy of my soul. Frankly, while some have believed that our ministry of 17 years in the Desire neighborhood took courage - the fight with the flesh requires more from the soul than any other foe or challenge I’ve faced in my 42 years of life. It is my flesh that grows weak, tired, discouraged and angry. It is my flesh that is pessimistic, bitter and biting. It is my flesh that is unforgiving, relentlessly rude or impatient. And while I have dissenters and bone fide enemies in this life, none is more effectual than the enemy within.
In this fight, as in all other spiritual enterprises, Christ is the protagonist. He is the one who will triumph and prevail. My efforts when they are limited to such, fall significantly short. But He will finish the work He began in me. I make no excuses in this, only apologies and acknowledgments that Christ is not finished with me yet. There are many more cavernous places in my heart and soul where His love and healing power have yet to heal and restore. Therefore, I wait on Him to add strength to my jabs, hooks and uppercuts.
However, as I’m waging this war within, I’m seeking through God’s strength to fight for His Kingdom by advancing the gospel of word and deed into the hearts of others. On this front we’ve made much progress but we have far to go. I’m not as fleet of foot as I used to be. Hopefully I will be able to press against the schemes of my opponent through wisdom and reliance where my own agility has given way to the aging body I posses. And where the punches I’ve absorbed along with my many falls to the mat have jostled my cerebrum, I pray the Lord will supply his strength to endure and to refresh.
When Manning presses against me with his new gloves, I laugh and long for that youthful exuberance that I once knew. I pray for the will to continue to fight, punching my way out of the corner of defeat and to strike a crushing blow against the enemy of my Savior. I look forward to looking over that enemy of Christ with the sweat and blood off our collective brows falling finally towards his slumbering body.
Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for the help you continue to provide for the fight! I have a rather big and talented corner, I know that very well!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Christmas Blessings to All
Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope your holidays and hearts will be filled with much joy and prosperity in grace!
Briefly, here’s some exciting recent developments for us at Rebirth:
1. The Leverett family is the new owner of an empty lot in the Gentilly area in New Orleans! We will be meeting with our builders on tomorrow to discuss floor plans and such.
2. Gregory Jacobs, one of our local board members and partners, has just opened his second Subway Restaurant on Franklin Avenue and Claiborne Avenue! We’re awfully proud of him and happy for he and his wife Cajoya and four kids!
3. An interesting opportunity to acquire a flood-damaged facility in the Gentilly area of New Orleans may have opened for us. The facility would provide needed small assembly space for Weekend Workshops, Internships, Bible Studies and church. There is educational space for tutoring and small groups as well as kitchen facilities and administrative space. Please pray that God would lead, direct and provide.
4. We hosted a Christmas party at our home last night for folks who were involved in our former work and others who are involved in our new one. There was much sharing, reminiscing, dreaming praying about our future!
We believe that 2007 was a productive year in laying a foundation for a new life-changing work in our wounded city. We have assisted many other churches and ministries beyond New Orleans. For instance, just recently I received this e-mail:
Thanks to you, Bridge Ministry of Acadiana has now been in our neighborhood for 4 years… Five years ago we visited you in N.O… This began our journey.
Who knows how many new works will appear out of the seeds we sowed this year in Atlanta, Mobile, Augusta, Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Birmingham, Orlando, New Hampshire, Covington, Chicago, Valdosta, Gainesville, Slidell, Daytona, Memphis, Smyrna, Nashville and other places. I spoke before campus ministries from Harvard, Yale, Georgia College and State University, Brown, University of Florida, UConn, Valdosta College and many others. Through the Lords blessing, I believe that many new works will mushroom in pockets of poverty around our country and the world where the light of gospel shines the brightest!
Thank you for helping me to continue in this call. I appreciate and love you all!
Pray for us as the Lord leads you to do so. God is on the move. I hope only, by the Spirit’s enabling power and provision, to keep pace.
Briefly, here’s some exciting recent developments for us at Rebirth:
1. The Leverett family is the new owner of an empty lot in the Gentilly area in New Orleans! We will be meeting with our builders on tomorrow to discuss floor plans and such.
2. Gregory Jacobs, one of our local board members and partners, has just opened his second Subway Restaurant on Franklin Avenue and Claiborne Avenue! We’re awfully proud of him and happy for he and his wife Cajoya and four kids!
3. An interesting opportunity to acquire a flood-damaged facility in the Gentilly area of New Orleans may have opened for us. The facility would provide needed small assembly space for Weekend Workshops, Internships, Bible Studies and church. There is educational space for tutoring and small groups as well as kitchen facilities and administrative space. Please pray that God would lead, direct and provide.
4. We hosted a Christmas party at our home last night for folks who were involved in our former work and others who are involved in our new one. There was much sharing, reminiscing, dreaming praying about our future!
We believe that 2007 was a productive year in laying a foundation for a new life-changing work in our wounded city. We have assisted many other churches and ministries beyond New Orleans. For instance, just recently I received this e-mail:
Thanks to you, Bridge Ministry of Acadiana has now been in our neighborhood for 4 years… Five years ago we visited you in N.O… This began our journey.
Who knows how many new works will appear out of the seeds we sowed this year in Atlanta, Mobile, Augusta, Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Birmingham, Orlando, New Hampshire, Covington, Chicago, Valdosta, Gainesville, Slidell, Daytona, Memphis, Smyrna, Nashville and other places. I spoke before campus ministries from Harvard, Yale, Georgia College and State University, Brown, University of Florida, UConn, Valdosta College and many others. Through the Lords blessing, I believe that many new works will mushroom in pockets of poverty around our country and the world where the light of gospel shines the brightest!
Thank you for helping me to continue in this call. I appreciate and love you all!
Pray for us as the Lord leads you to do so. God is on the move. I hope only, by the Spirit’s enabling power and provision, to keep pace.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Making our Father Proud
Dads are mystical figures. Whether they intend to or not, to our betterment or detriment, they yield incredible sway over our lives. Even when they are not there, their absence is impactful. When they are there, the impression is deep, even as we resist. When their numbered days expire and they pass, their shadow nevertheless clings, their memory lingers, their presence remains.
Ellen and I had taken our kids to the mountains. We took a short hike to a majestic waterfall which cascaded into a shallow pool of water my kids could safely swim and play in. Bored, I decided that I would climb the left side of the 100 foot waterfall until I had reached the top. After a rather arduous climb through brush and over slick rock, I reached the top overlooking the falls and waved to my kids from this high perch. I then came down after enjoying a moment of quiet solitude at the crest of the falls.
When I returned, my son, who had been mightily impressed with his father’s conquest of the falls, was fixated on my right thigh. He said with as much grave concern as a 5 year old can muster, “Daddy, what happened to you?”
“What?” I said as my eyes followed his…until I saw 5 or so deep scratches into my thigh. I must have run unaware into a little briar bush. There was blood trickling from the wounds, but I was not aware of it until my son had pointed it out to me. Of course, this was an opportunity for a tall tale, the occasion for which I rarely miss with my boy. “Ohhhh….” I said. “You’re talking about the bear scratch….that’s nothing!”
Seeing my son’s eyes widen was priceless. I wish I had it on videotape. I continued….
“Manning,” I said, “there was a bear on top of that waterfall. He was staring down off of the mountain looking at you when I reached the top. I yelled at him, ‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?’”
The bear incredulous, responded with a gruff voice, “I’m going to eat that little boy and I’ll eat you if you get in my way!”
Manning’s eyes widen further…
“Over my dead body!” I exclaimed. “No man or bear is going to hurt my son!”
I look hard into the eyes of Manning. I continued…”Then it’s hard to describe. It happened so fast. The bear on all fours began to run toward the path towards my family! I jumped out in front of him sliding down a rock and like a carved statue stood in front of the bear. He also stood up on his hind legs and took a swipe for me. I jumped back - (that must have been when the bear scratched my leg). I then countered with a left fist into the side of the bear. He buckled, surprised and a little hurt. I then followed with a hard right hand square into the nose of the bear. He stumbled backwards, regained his footing just in time to run away humbled and afraid deep into the woods.”
Manning quickly followed, “How big was the bear Dad?”
Oh he was big, son. Real big.
Then my wife decided she had heard enough. “Mo…stop!” she said.
Then my conscience struck. I shouldn’t be telling this tall-tale to my gullible child. So I said,
“Manning, I was just teasing.”
Manning responded. “OK, Dad…but how big was he? How big was the bear?”
No matter what I said, Manning had chosen to believe the story. It was branded upon his heart and he was not going to let it go! It was not until recently that he figured out that it was just a story.
My son looks up to me, still. My older children have matured enough to have a more sober view of their father. Even so, I know that my life is indelibly important to theirs. It’s funny…I’ve spent the first part of my life trying to impress my Dad. I’ve spent the second part trying to impress my children.
Some of you may know already where the name Manning came from. My first son, who is in heaven, received my name. Ellen picked out the name Manning out of a name book because she liked it’s meaning - Son of a Hero. I’m not sure that my wife has ever paid me a higher compliment.
The other day my son asked, “Dad, what do you do for a living now…besides type on the computer?”
I responded…Son, I’m trying to build a new ministry. One that will make my…I mean, our Father proud.
He said, “I love you Dad.”
I got a little lump in my throat and said, “I love you too, Manning…I really do.”
Ellen and I had taken our kids to the mountains. We took a short hike to a majestic waterfall which cascaded into a shallow pool of water my kids could safely swim and play in. Bored, I decided that I would climb the left side of the 100 foot waterfall until I had reached the top. After a rather arduous climb through brush and over slick rock, I reached the top overlooking the falls and waved to my kids from this high perch. I then came down after enjoying a moment of quiet solitude at the crest of the falls.
When I returned, my son, who had been mightily impressed with his father’s conquest of the falls, was fixated on my right thigh. He said with as much grave concern as a 5 year old can muster, “Daddy, what happened to you?”
“What?” I said as my eyes followed his…until I saw 5 or so deep scratches into my thigh. I must have run unaware into a little briar bush. There was blood trickling from the wounds, but I was not aware of it until my son had pointed it out to me. Of course, this was an opportunity for a tall tale, the occasion for which I rarely miss with my boy. “Ohhhh….” I said. “You’re talking about the bear scratch….that’s nothing!”
Seeing my son’s eyes widen was priceless. I wish I had it on videotape. I continued….
“Manning,” I said, “there was a bear on top of that waterfall. He was staring down off of the mountain looking at you when I reached the top. I yelled at him, ‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?’”
The bear incredulous, responded with a gruff voice, “I’m going to eat that little boy and I’ll eat you if you get in my way!”
Manning’s eyes widen further…
“Over my dead body!” I exclaimed. “No man or bear is going to hurt my son!”
I look hard into the eyes of Manning. I continued…”Then it’s hard to describe. It happened so fast. The bear on all fours began to run toward the path towards my family! I jumped out in front of him sliding down a rock and like a carved statue stood in front of the bear. He also stood up on his hind legs and took a swipe for me. I jumped back - (that must have been when the bear scratched my leg). I then countered with a left fist into the side of the bear. He buckled, surprised and a little hurt. I then followed with a hard right hand square into the nose of the bear. He stumbled backwards, regained his footing just in time to run away humbled and afraid deep into the woods.”
Manning quickly followed, “How big was the bear Dad?”
Oh he was big, son. Real big.
Then my wife decided she had heard enough. “Mo…stop!” she said.
Then my conscience struck. I shouldn’t be telling this tall-tale to my gullible child. So I said,
“Manning, I was just teasing.”
Manning responded. “OK, Dad…but how big was he? How big was the bear?”
No matter what I said, Manning had chosen to believe the story. It was branded upon his heart and he was not going to let it go! It was not until recently that he figured out that it was just a story.
My son looks up to me, still. My older children have matured enough to have a more sober view of their father. Even so, I know that my life is indelibly important to theirs. It’s funny…I’ve spent the first part of my life trying to impress my Dad. I’ve spent the second part trying to impress my children.
Some of you may know already where the name Manning came from. My first son, who is in heaven, received my name. Ellen picked out the name Manning out of a name book because she liked it’s meaning - Son of a Hero. I’m not sure that my wife has ever paid me a higher compliment.
The other day my son asked, “Dad, what do you do for a living now…besides type on the computer?”
I responded…Son, I’m trying to build a new ministry. One that will make my…I mean, our Father proud.
He said, “I love you Dad.”
I got a little lump in my throat and said, “I love you too, Manning…I really do.”
Friday, December 7, 2007
Here’s what’s happenin’ at Rebirth!
Vision
By way of reminder - the purpose of Rebirth can be summarized with these three verbs: revive, resource and replicate.
revive - New Orleans has been our home and mission field since 1990. Our commitment to the city has not been dampened by the onslaught of flood waters. On the contrary, our strategy is refined, our vision widened. We are reviving ministry within the expanding community of troubled urban youth, planting a church and ministry facility in the center of town and
rebuilding our beleaguered city through community development enterprises.
resource - Rebirth International is pursuing resources to expand its mission to New Orleans, but is also in return providing urban ministry consultation to existing ministries and churches across the country. We are building lasting partnerships to enhance the church’s mission among the poor and to assist in building sustainable and transformative works in as many places as the Lord enables.
replicate - We believe that our Savior has given to the church a clarion call to continually replicate His ministry of word and deed among the poor. Our work in New Orleans serves as a model and a training ground for other men and women whom God has uniquely called to urban ministry leadership all over the world.
High School Ministry Development - Clark
As you may recall, in support of the aforementioned vision, we have a new ministry start at Clark High School, here in New Orleans. Richard Johnson and Sam Raushenberg are providing primary valued leadership to this effort and I have assisted by volunteer coaching at the school and providing a modicum of oversight and encouragement. There have been many conversions, in this first year and the work is off to a great start. Byron, Richard, Kenyon and the other coaches led the team to the playoffs in their first season. The team was only one of the few New Orleans public schools to do so. The young men on the team also make up the core leadership group for the Bible Study and there is much to praise God for in the first year of Rebirth’s effort there. A modest tutoring program has also been put into place. We hope to sponsor a camp for these boys this summer. Please pray for all these new developments.
Richard Johnson of course is a proud 9th Warder that I had the privilege of leading to Christ and with whom I’ve enjoyed an enduring friendship. He is a tremendous co-laborer. Sam Rauschenberg was the valedictorian of Georgia College and felt called of God to come to New Orleans as a teacher at Clark. He is receiving a serious baptism by fire and is contributing significantly to our effort. We’ve decided that he is in a better position to coach the special teams at Clark, and because he has been so diligent, I am now freed up to provide leadership to our movement on a macro level.
It is our hope to plant 3 more of these incarnational ministries in resurgent public high schools over the next 2 years. Pray for us as we continue to labor toward this end.
Church Plant
The goal is to plant a church in the center of these ministries that will enfold not only the new converts in these works but also many former members of Desire Street Fellowship. We’re a little ways from launch but hope to restart a Bible Study in the beginning of the new year. There’s been quite a bit of clamoring for this from the old posse.
Staff Development
As I recently reported, I’ve been very blessed with the addition of Kiva Barrow on my staff. She also is someone that came to Christ through our work in Desire. She has become in short order a dedicated side-kick, taking so much of the administrative burden off of me, even as she is part-time. I fully expect for her to be a long-timer with the ministry! She is a steady as she goes kind of girl and doesn’t mind doing what I despise to do. I hope you all will get to meet her soon! We’re renting out office space in the back of my house from my long suffering wife until we’re able to settle into a facility for administration and operations.
I also just finished a conversation with my dear friend Damon Greenberry over the phone who has committed to returning to New Orleans to help provide leadership in our fund-raising and development efforts. He also was a young man in our ministry when he first received Christ. I’ve told his story all over the country which has encouraged thousands of the transforming power of the gospel!
Board
We presently have a board of directors made up primarily of pastors and their wives. However, at the turn of the year, the plan is for those pastors to join some other clergymen to form our pastoral counsel. We will also form a board of trustees who are helping to develop the resources for the effort. Lastly we are gathering a group of local and indigenous leaders who will provide primary governance to the local movement. We’re excited about these new developments. This three tiered approach will provide for adequate and solid pastoral oversight, needed fund-development assistance and local control and ownership.
Community Development
Rebirth was able to help forge a partnership between Faith Bible Church of Slidell, LA and CURE - a local alliance of churches in the 9th ward. Their goal is to build 5 new homes in the upper 9th Ward community within the next 18 months. Pray for this fledgling effort that it might expand into many more initiatives throughout our city!
Music
My recent release, Of Orphans and Kings, is receiving rave reviews by all. It is a gut-wrenching reality check of post-Katrina Mo Leverett. If you don’t have it, I hope you’ll get it. I also have a new hymn project mostly done. Depending on available resources I should be able to finish it by the Spring of this year.
Travel Schedule
I will be driving to Houston tomorrow morning, speaking in a church and performing a concert. I hope to stay on in Houston for a day or so to meet with a few potential donors. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
I will be performing a concert for a group of RUF students in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi the following weekend.
I will be at Yale University, some other colleges and churches in the Connecticut area between January 24th through the 27th.
I leave there directly to fly to Orlando, FL to teach a class at Reformed Theological Seminary the following week, Jan. 28-Feb 1.
That adjoining weekend I will be performing in the 5 different services at Northland Community Church from Feb. 2-4. As it turns out the week that follows is also the week for Mardis Gras in New Orleans. We’ve been thinking about what we might do during that week there in Orlando - maybe a little vacation at Disney or something.
The next weekend I will be speaking and performing at the missions conference in Gulf Shores, AL at Grace Fellowship.
I finish up my travels in February with a speaking engagement at my alma mater, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
Pray for us during this time that God would raise up the necessary resources for Rebirth and gather a new stable full of donors. Pray that we would have strength to endure the initial phases of giving birth to this new work.
Family
Our family is strong. We will be closing on property in a week and a half. We have a final meeting with our builder this next week. We have our current property on the market - but of course, there are many properties for sale in New Orleans at the moment. Again…pray.
Lindsay and Lacey have joined a little school called Life Without School. I know it sounds funny, but it’s been a Godsend. They are both registered as home-schoolers but the program has two professors from the University of New Orleans running it. Frankly, I wish that I could join the school - it’s just that cool.
Maggie and Manning are doing well at their school and we are all happy with life. We have much to celebrate this Christmas and have decided that instead of loading up on things that we would invest in creating memories through events like, Christmas in the Oaks, a day in the French Quarter, caroling, and other fun stuff.
Support
We are thankful to have had a productive first year of service. We are definitely feeling strong about the upcoming year. We have much work left to do though in laying a solid foundation. Were it not for the income from CD’s and concerts and such, I’d likely be working at the local Wal Mart. But I’m thankful to still be laboring in the harvest fields.
Please consider a year end gift to our work if you have not already planned to do so. It would mean so much to all of us here to be in the black and on solid footing for the next year as we continue to rebuild.
I hope you are all well. Please stay in touch!
By way of reminder - the purpose of Rebirth can be summarized with these three verbs: revive, resource and replicate.
revive - New Orleans has been our home and mission field since 1990. Our commitment to the city has not been dampened by the onslaught of flood waters. On the contrary, our strategy is refined, our vision widened. We are reviving ministry within the expanding community of troubled urban youth, planting a church and ministry facility in the center of town and
rebuilding our beleaguered city through community development enterprises.
resource - Rebirth International is pursuing resources to expand its mission to New Orleans, but is also in return providing urban ministry consultation to existing ministries and churches across the country. We are building lasting partnerships to enhance the church’s mission among the poor and to assist in building sustainable and transformative works in as many places as the Lord enables.
replicate - We believe that our Savior has given to the church a clarion call to continually replicate His ministry of word and deed among the poor. Our work in New Orleans serves as a model and a training ground for other men and women whom God has uniquely called to urban ministry leadership all over the world.
High School Ministry Development - Clark
As you may recall, in support of the aforementioned vision, we have a new ministry start at Clark High School, here in New Orleans. Richard Johnson and Sam Raushenberg are providing primary valued leadership to this effort and I have assisted by volunteer coaching at the school and providing a modicum of oversight and encouragement. There have been many conversions, in this first year and the work is off to a great start. Byron, Richard, Kenyon and the other coaches led the team to the playoffs in their first season. The team was only one of the few New Orleans public schools to do so. The young men on the team also make up the core leadership group for the Bible Study and there is much to praise God for in the first year of Rebirth’s effort there. A modest tutoring program has also been put into place. We hope to sponsor a camp for these boys this summer. Please pray for all these new developments.
Richard Johnson of course is a proud 9th Warder that I had the privilege of leading to Christ and with whom I’ve enjoyed an enduring friendship. He is a tremendous co-laborer. Sam Rauschenberg was the valedictorian of Georgia College and felt called of God to come to New Orleans as a teacher at Clark. He is receiving a serious baptism by fire and is contributing significantly to our effort. We’ve decided that he is in a better position to coach the special teams at Clark, and because he has been so diligent, I am now freed up to provide leadership to our movement on a macro level.
It is our hope to plant 3 more of these incarnational ministries in resurgent public high schools over the next 2 years. Pray for us as we continue to labor toward this end.
Church Plant
The goal is to plant a church in the center of these ministries that will enfold not only the new converts in these works but also many former members of Desire Street Fellowship. We’re a little ways from launch but hope to restart a Bible Study in the beginning of the new year. There’s been quite a bit of clamoring for this from the old posse.
Staff Development
As I recently reported, I’ve been very blessed with the addition of Kiva Barrow on my staff. She also is someone that came to Christ through our work in Desire. She has become in short order a dedicated side-kick, taking so much of the administrative burden off of me, even as she is part-time. I fully expect for her to be a long-timer with the ministry! She is a steady as she goes kind of girl and doesn’t mind doing what I despise to do. I hope you all will get to meet her soon! We’re renting out office space in the back of my house from my long suffering wife until we’re able to settle into a facility for administration and operations.
I also just finished a conversation with my dear friend Damon Greenberry over the phone who has committed to returning to New Orleans to help provide leadership in our fund-raising and development efforts. He also was a young man in our ministry when he first received Christ. I’ve told his story all over the country which has encouraged thousands of the transforming power of the gospel!
Board
We presently have a board of directors made up primarily of pastors and their wives. However, at the turn of the year, the plan is for those pastors to join some other clergymen to form our pastoral counsel. We will also form a board of trustees who are helping to develop the resources for the effort. Lastly we are gathering a group of local and indigenous leaders who will provide primary governance to the local movement. We’re excited about these new developments. This three tiered approach will provide for adequate and solid pastoral oversight, needed fund-development assistance and local control and ownership.
Community Development
Rebirth was able to help forge a partnership between Faith Bible Church of Slidell, LA and CURE - a local alliance of churches in the 9th ward. Their goal is to build 5 new homes in the upper 9th Ward community within the next 18 months. Pray for this fledgling effort that it might expand into many more initiatives throughout our city!
Music
My recent release, Of Orphans and Kings, is receiving rave reviews by all. It is a gut-wrenching reality check of post-Katrina Mo Leverett. If you don’t have it, I hope you’ll get it. I also have a new hymn project mostly done. Depending on available resources I should be able to finish it by the Spring of this year.
Travel Schedule
I will be driving to Houston tomorrow morning, speaking in a church and performing a concert. I hope to stay on in Houston for a day or so to meet with a few potential donors. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
I will be performing a concert for a group of RUF students in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi the following weekend.
I will be at Yale University, some other colleges and churches in the Connecticut area between January 24th through the 27th.
I leave there directly to fly to Orlando, FL to teach a class at Reformed Theological Seminary the following week, Jan. 28-Feb 1.
That adjoining weekend I will be performing in the 5 different services at Northland Community Church from Feb. 2-4. As it turns out the week that follows is also the week for Mardis Gras in New Orleans. We’ve been thinking about what we might do during that week there in Orlando - maybe a little vacation at Disney or something.
The next weekend I will be speaking and performing at the missions conference in Gulf Shores, AL at Grace Fellowship.
I finish up my travels in February with a speaking engagement at my alma mater, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
Pray for us during this time that God would raise up the necessary resources for Rebirth and gather a new stable full of donors. Pray that we would have strength to endure the initial phases of giving birth to this new work.
Family
Our family is strong. We will be closing on property in a week and a half. We have a final meeting with our builder this next week. We have our current property on the market - but of course, there are many properties for sale in New Orleans at the moment. Again…pray.
Lindsay and Lacey have joined a little school called Life Without School. I know it sounds funny, but it’s been a Godsend. They are both registered as home-schoolers but the program has two professors from the University of New Orleans running it. Frankly, I wish that I could join the school - it’s just that cool.
Maggie and Manning are doing well at their school and we are all happy with life. We have much to celebrate this Christmas and have decided that instead of loading up on things that we would invest in creating memories through events like, Christmas in the Oaks, a day in the French Quarter, caroling, and other fun stuff.
Support
We are thankful to have had a productive first year of service. We are definitely feeling strong about the upcoming year. We have much work left to do though in laying a solid foundation. Were it not for the income from CD’s and concerts and such, I’d likely be working at the local Wal Mart. But I’m thankful to still be laboring in the harvest fields.
Please consider a year end gift to our work if you have not already planned to do so. It would mean so much to all of us here to be in the black and on solid footing for the next year as we continue to rebuild.
I hope you are all well. Please stay in touch!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Cure for an Average Life
I am 5 feet, 11 and 1/2 inches tall. And that is the story of my life.
For men - or maybe I should only speak for myself - being 6 feet tall feels like a significant threshold. And I never met it. My children remind me periodically that I used to claim 6 feet - and I did. That was my tall tale. A particular nurse garnished me with the cherished title, but she was either rounding up or simply failed to discount the half inch attributable to the sneakers on my feet. So I admit…I am only 5 feet, 11 and 1/2. (I guess the half is similar to children who add 1/2 to their age. You’re almost the next number and you’re way removed from the previous one. So it helps just a bit in the ego department.)
In most ways, I am an exceedingly average guy. I do many things, but in an average way. I play the guitar and write songs, I even record them, but I’ve never won an award for it, and likely never will. I’ve never filled an auditorium. I usually receive tepid ovations - but that could be because I often play for Presbyterians who turn tepid into cool. But I can’t blame it on my Presbyterian brethren, truth be told, my music notoriously arouses introspection, if not a deep depression.
I’m an OK athlete - but my football friends remind me that I was just a punter. Even if you punt the ball better than anyone else, in the football world, you’re still average. And no expert has ever brandished a punter - an athlete. You’ll not find many cocky punters…not many of their teammates would allow it…no reporters sticking microphones in their faces…no body asking for their autograph.
I’ve always been an average student, an average preacher, an average photographer…just fill in the blank, I can probably be counted on to do it in an average way. And so, even though I know it is wrong to do so, I nevertheless find myself envying the abilities and talents of others.
There are some things that I’ve developed a reputation for being really good at, like fighting my way through traffic, but I don’t think it is especially good to be talented at that. I’ve mastered the art of selfishness, among many other vulnerabilities I’m too embarrassed to reveal, but none of these superior traits are to my credit.
Perhaps, you can identify with me. Perhaps you find yourself envying the talents of others in their spheres. Maybe you’re an engineer and have been successful, but you know some other engineers whose skills tower over yours. Maybe you’re a businessman, and you’ve had some success, but you’ve never come close to reaching your goals. Maybe you’re a stay at home Mom, but your best friends mini-van is plastered with bumper stickers highlighting their honor role kids. For all of you, my friends - those of you who do average in the most excellent way - there is some really good news that I’m eager to share. Just hang on. I’m getting around to the main point.
First, did you know that pastors play the envy game too? I recently met a person who admitted that he possessed a "man crush" for Tim Keller. Tim Keller is a Presbyterian Pastor in Manhattan, NY who exudes excellence and intellect. There are an abundance of contemporary pastors in my denomination that envy his towering gifts. Many folks order his tapes, name their churches after his and spend their down time with fellow pastor friends talking about him. And if you’ve never heard of him - attend at least three or so of those churches - and you will. At least one of the pastors is likely to be re-preaching his material.
I on the other hand respect Tim a great deal, but have never envied his gifts. Tim is really smart. I mean REAL smart. But I’ve never desired that particular burden. And I never wanted to embarrass myself by trying to create the impression that I was a man of his intellectual caliber. Most persons with at least an average intelligence and who know me well would know I was faking it.
The truth is many of us succumb to the the thought that it is only the highly talented who can make a difference - those who are gifted that can change the world. But this is not the case. In fact, Jesus did not recruit highly talented people. He took average people, just like you and me, and taught them how to live radical lives. And through these average people, Jesus turned the world upside down!
Jesus himself suprisingly did not appear to be an extraordinarily talented person. Or at least the Bible doesn’t make record of his special talents. But his life continues to be the most historically and redemptively important human life ever lived.
And the lifestyle that Jesus calls us to, is in fact the stuff that changes the world. And that lifestyle is not limited by the lack of talent, nor is it especially enhanced by talents either.
So there is good news for the average person out there - good news for those who are devoid of incredible talent. YOU TOO can play a big role in the building of His Kingdom. Suffice it to say for the time being that we - the average person - can make a tremendous impact in the Kingdom of Christ by making ourselves willing to take the radical step of simply following Jesus. For when we come to a true understanding of what that means - to follow Him - we’ll find our lives becoming anything but average! And in the eyes of those that really matter, we’ll be standing taller than we could ever thought possible.
I hope you are all deeply encouraged and walking with Him!
Keep praying for us in New Orleans and for my travels. I’ll send out a detailed update on my activities soon.
For men - or maybe I should only speak for myself - being 6 feet tall feels like a significant threshold. And I never met it. My children remind me periodically that I used to claim 6 feet - and I did. That was my tall tale. A particular nurse garnished me with the cherished title, but she was either rounding up or simply failed to discount the half inch attributable to the sneakers on my feet. So I admit…I am only 5 feet, 11 and 1/2. (I guess the half is similar to children who add 1/2 to their age. You’re almost the next number and you’re way removed from the previous one. So it helps just a bit in the ego department.)
In most ways, I am an exceedingly average guy. I do many things, but in an average way. I play the guitar and write songs, I even record them, but I’ve never won an award for it, and likely never will. I’ve never filled an auditorium. I usually receive tepid ovations - but that could be because I often play for Presbyterians who turn tepid into cool. But I can’t blame it on my Presbyterian brethren, truth be told, my music notoriously arouses introspection, if not a deep depression.
I’m an OK athlete - but my football friends remind me that I was just a punter. Even if you punt the ball better than anyone else, in the football world, you’re still average. And no expert has ever brandished a punter - an athlete. You’ll not find many cocky punters…not many of their teammates would allow it…no reporters sticking microphones in their faces…no body asking for their autograph.
I’ve always been an average student, an average preacher, an average photographer…just fill in the blank, I can probably be counted on to do it in an average way. And so, even though I know it is wrong to do so, I nevertheless find myself envying the abilities and talents of others.
There are some things that I’ve developed a reputation for being really good at, like fighting my way through traffic, but I don’t think it is especially good to be talented at that. I’ve mastered the art of selfishness, among many other vulnerabilities I’m too embarrassed to reveal, but none of these superior traits are to my credit.
Perhaps, you can identify with me. Perhaps you find yourself envying the talents of others in their spheres. Maybe you’re an engineer and have been successful, but you know some other engineers whose skills tower over yours. Maybe you’re a businessman, and you’ve had some success, but you’ve never come close to reaching your goals. Maybe you’re a stay at home Mom, but your best friends mini-van is plastered with bumper stickers highlighting their honor role kids. For all of you, my friends - those of you who do average in the most excellent way - there is some really good news that I’m eager to share. Just hang on. I’m getting around to the main point.
First, did you know that pastors play the envy game too? I recently met a person who admitted that he possessed a "man crush" for Tim Keller. Tim Keller is a Presbyterian Pastor in Manhattan, NY who exudes excellence and intellect. There are an abundance of contemporary pastors in my denomination that envy his towering gifts. Many folks order his tapes, name their churches after his and spend their down time with fellow pastor friends talking about him. And if you’ve never heard of him - attend at least three or so of those churches - and you will. At least one of the pastors is likely to be re-preaching his material.
I on the other hand respect Tim a great deal, but have never envied his gifts. Tim is really smart. I mean REAL smart. But I’ve never desired that particular burden. And I never wanted to embarrass myself by trying to create the impression that I was a man of his intellectual caliber. Most persons with at least an average intelligence and who know me well would know I was faking it.
The truth is many of us succumb to the the thought that it is only the highly talented who can make a difference - those who are gifted that can change the world. But this is not the case. In fact, Jesus did not recruit highly talented people. He took average people, just like you and me, and taught them how to live radical lives. And through these average people, Jesus turned the world upside down!
Jesus himself suprisingly did not appear to be an extraordinarily talented person. Or at least the Bible doesn’t make record of his special talents. But his life continues to be the most historically and redemptively important human life ever lived.
And the lifestyle that Jesus calls us to, is in fact the stuff that changes the world. And that lifestyle is not limited by the lack of talent, nor is it especially enhanced by talents either.
So there is good news for the average person out there - good news for those who are devoid of incredible talent. YOU TOO can play a big role in the building of His Kingdom. Suffice it to say for the time being that we - the average person - can make a tremendous impact in the Kingdom of Christ by making ourselves willing to take the radical step of simply following Jesus. For when we come to a true understanding of what that means - to follow Him - we’ll find our lives becoming anything but average! And in the eyes of those that really matter, we’ll be standing taller than we could ever thought possible.
I hope you are all deeply encouraged and walking with Him!
Keep praying for us in New Orleans and for my travels. I’ll send out a detailed update on my activities soon.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Giving Thanks…Even for Shattered Dreams!
All young boys dream of their lives in heroic terms. I was no exception. Nor have I thoroughly outgrown this childhood fantasy.
But it should be said that most of our biblical heroes lived tragic lives of shattered dreams. For instance, Moses didn’t make it to the promised land. David didn’t build the temple, nor did he step foot in it. Elijah’s ministry ended in exile. Peter was crucified. Paul was killed. John was deserted on an island.
I, on the other hand, have sought to write my own more satisfying script. I imagine and I always envision happiness and heroism in the final chapter. In my mind, my life ends with the completion of many goals and then the inevitable and proverbial riding off into the sunset. I imagine myself finally aging in a front porch swing next to my bride, Ellen, with periodic visits from young folks seeking and soliciting my wisdom.
Laughable, huh…
Truth is, I sometimes believe that I am entitled to that kind of resolution. I’m a helpless believer in happily ever after. And I sometimes erroneously think that faith is the sacred formula for securing that kind of affirmative final chapter. Never do I envisage burning stakes, angry mobs, or betrayal from friends.
I sometimes wonder why God does not ensure the certitude of happy resolution in this life. Is not the Bible the Divine formula and prescription for our joy and contentment? Are we not promised, that if we live in a certain way, that if we walk on the suggested path of wisdom and righteousness, that our lives will be better, abundant and prosperous? Did not Christ come that we might have life and life more abundantly?
If this is true then we must explain the aforementioned heroes of the faith. We must account for the book of Hebrews showcase of exemplary persons who suffered to the end in indescribable ways - whose lives finished miserably at the hands of wicked oppressors.
It is true that Joseph’s injustice led to spiritual redemption. It is true that Job’s suffering ended with greater blessing and deeper understanding. But they were the lucky ones. It is also true that some folk’s lives ended tragically for no apparent higher purpose or outcome.
I remember when our childhood home burst into flames, just months after the death of my Father. Sitting on embankment, my bowed head in clasped hands as the flames grew higher, I pondered the purposes of a sovereign God - who conforms everything to His purpose and will. "What possible purpose did he have for me through this pain?" I thought.
I also remember the seemingly senseless passing of my first son.
I recall the difficult demise of everything I owned and had built in a 100 year storm.
I recollect the unnecessary termination of many friendships in the course of a long ministry.
And so, it is true that sometimes life hurts for no reason that we can imagine. I have learned one thing through this though - that we were never meant to envision permanent dwelling in this place nor to have enduring affections for this life. In addition to discovering the temporal nature of all things on this side of the Jordan, we find the permanence and higher quality of His love, grace and mercy. In the midst of an otherwise miserable existence, His love and enduring faithfulness has become for me my only real home. In other words, it is through pain that God purges the yielded of inferior affections and shows Himself the only deserving object of our primary passion. For that purging, that pruning…I am thankful - yes thankful even for shattered dreams.
Moreover, as a result of these trials and many other disappointments, I have come to visualize my life as being hidden in the life of another - a vicarious life - where true heroism is finally and fully found.
So, today I say again that I feel thankful. Deeply so.
"Why?" you might say…
Not because my life is blessed, as many would quantify blessing.
Above all else, I am thankful to be an adopted son of my own personal Hero, who loves perfectly and perpetually - Abba Father.
I am thankful to know, that due to the heroism of King Jesus, no single sin from my deeply flawed life is registered in God’s ledger.
I am thankful, that through His suffering and sacrifice, my Hero extends eternal hope beyond the grave.
I am thankful that on that day, I will wear my Hero’s robe in my new and luxurious home.
I am thankful to know, that in this life, my Hero watches over my every breath, my every move, my every thought with sovereign care and abundant mercy.
I am thankful to be the humble and temporary under-hero of a beautiful quiver full of children and the undeserving partner of a sweet and gentle woman who enables and supports me in simple service to my Savior.
No matter how my life ends - whether in pain or in prosperity - I know that it will return to its Source. I so long for that day. And through faith I know that it will come. Until it comes, I hope that you will continue to be the encouragement that you already are to me…that I might persevere in His grace and in His purposes!
May you all enjoy Him in His fullness during this season of Thanksgiving and rejoice in the one gift that is greater than any and all others. May we together glorify Him - the only real Hero the world has ever known.
But it should be said that most of our biblical heroes lived tragic lives of shattered dreams. For instance, Moses didn’t make it to the promised land. David didn’t build the temple, nor did he step foot in it. Elijah’s ministry ended in exile. Peter was crucified. Paul was killed. John was deserted on an island.
I, on the other hand, have sought to write my own more satisfying script. I imagine and I always envision happiness and heroism in the final chapter. In my mind, my life ends with the completion of many goals and then the inevitable and proverbial riding off into the sunset. I imagine myself finally aging in a front porch swing next to my bride, Ellen, with periodic visits from young folks seeking and soliciting my wisdom.
Laughable, huh…
Truth is, I sometimes believe that I am entitled to that kind of resolution. I’m a helpless believer in happily ever after. And I sometimes erroneously think that faith is the sacred formula for securing that kind of affirmative final chapter. Never do I envisage burning stakes, angry mobs, or betrayal from friends.
I sometimes wonder why God does not ensure the certitude of happy resolution in this life. Is not the Bible the Divine formula and prescription for our joy and contentment? Are we not promised, that if we live in a certain way, that if we walk on the suggested path of wisdom and righteousness, that our lives will be better, abundant and prosperous? Did not Christ come that we might have life and life more abundantly?
If this is true then we must explain the aforementioned heroes of the faith. We must account for the book of Hebrews showcase of exemplary persons who suffered to the end in indescribable ways - whose lives finished miserably at the hands of wicked oppressors.
It is true that Joseph’s injustice led to spiritual redemption. It is true that Job’s suffering ended with greater blessing and deeper understanding. But they were the lucky ones. It is also true that some folk’s lives ended tragically for no apparent higher purpose or outcome.
I remember when our childhood home burst into flames, just months after the death of my Father. Sitting on embankment, my bowed head in clasped hands as the flames grew higher, I pondered the purposes of a sovereign God - who conforms everything to His purpose and will. "What possible purpose did he have for me through this pain?" I thought.
I also remember the seemingly senseless passing of my first son.
I recall the difficult demise of everything I owned and had built in a 100 year storm.
I recollect the unnecessary termination of many friendships in the course of a long ministry.
And so, it is true that sometimes life hurts for no reason that we can imagine. I have learned one thing through this though - that we were never meant to envision permanent dwelling in this place nor to have enduring affections for this life. In addition to discovering the temporal nature of all things on this side of the Jordan, we find the permanence and higher quality of His love, grace and mercy. In the midst of an otherwise miserable existence, His love and enduring faithfulness has become for me my only real home. In other words, it is through pain that God purges the yielded of inferior affections and shows Himself the only deserving object of our primary passion. For that purging, that pruning…I am thankful - yes thankful even for shattered dreams.
Moreover, as a result of these trials and many other disappointments, I have come to visualize my life as being hidden in the life of another - a vicarious life - where true heroism is finally and fully found.
So, today I say again that I feel thankful. Deeply so.
"Why?" you might say…
Not because my life is blessed, as many would quantify blessing.
Above all else, I am thankful to be an adopted son of my own personal Hero, who loves perfectly and perpetually - Abba Father.
I am thankful to know, that due to the heroism of King Jesus, no single sin from my deeply flawed life is registered in God’s ledger.
I am thankful, that through His suffering and sacrifice, my Hero extends eternal hope beyond the grave.
I am thankful that on that day, I will wear my Hero’s robe in my new and luxurious home.
I am thankful to know, that in this life, my Hero watches over my every breath, my every move, my every thought with sovereign care and abundant mercy.
I am thankful to be the humble and temporary under-hero of a beautiful quiver full of children and the undeserving partner of a sweet and gentle woman who enables and supports me in simple service to my Savior.
No matter how my life ends - whether in pain or in prosperity - I know that it will return to its Source. I so long for that day. And through faith I know that it will come. Until it comes, I hope that you will continue to be the encouragement that you already are to me…that I might persevere in His grace and in His purposes!
May you all enjoy Him in His fullness during this season of Thanksgiving and rejoice in the one gift that is greater than any and all others. May we together glorify Him - the only real Hero the world has ever known.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Of Bitterness, Baby Ruth's, and Butterfingers
Ministry updates are peculiar things. I’ve written a ton of them over the years and have read many more. As a result, I’ve become somewhat cynical regarding flowery and embellished reports. Therefore, when I write, I make an attempt at redemptive transparency, so that you can believe what you hear. However, one friend said in response to a recent posting that “it sounds like everything is going so well.” Then I realized, maybe I’m doing too much embellishing of my own. So here’s an attempt at a little honesty.
As one of my childhood heroes, Popeye the Sailor Man, would say, “I am what I am.” And sometimes that’s a good thing. In my special case, however, it’s often not. Truth is, like my friend Popeye, I don’t always eat my spinach. And as a result, I too get beat up by Brutus…
I’ve learned after 18 years of front line urban ministry, that when things are great, trouble lurks. And when things are tough, God is especially at work. The anchor for me is this: that God is sovereign at all times, that He is intrinsically and perfectly holy, that He is always good, and that I am unconditionally His.
I’d love to be able to report to you that I remain steadfastly encouraged by that truth - and that when I hurt or am discouraged, I run to Jesus. Some times though, I run to dry wells that do not satisfy. Some times I choose bitterness. Sometimes pain is so great and seems so powerful that I exchange what little power I have just to feel better. On and around Halloween my pills of choice are those little packages of Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s. I can’t tell you, or maybe you already know, how medicinal a Butterfinger is when you have the blues. Bitterness and butterfingers give me that immediate rush that all is right within. When that rush is over, I rediscover the art of repentance and thus taste the only thing that really satisfies. (Something tells me I’m going to be doing a lot of repenting tonight!)
Truth is, I’m on the better end of one of the darkest epochs of my life. I remember crying out to God during the height of my pain and the only thing I could feel from God was His severe absence.
That is no longer the case. God has used that pain to elicit in me a newer and deeper longing for and dependence on Him. Honestly, I am reluctant to yearn for and rely on Him when circumstances are more to my pleasing. And now I can say after these difficult few years post-Katrina that I’m proud to be in the fellowship of broken vessels. I’m most thankful to be a Husband and a Father. And I’m grateful to be entering into the second phase of my ministry life - a deeper man - not knowing what this phase will bring, but nevertheless continuing by faith.
At the end of this week I’ll be headed up for a long weekend in the Northeastern United States to speak to a group of Ivy League students. I intend to speak on the love of the Father for our orphaned souls, God’s poverty mandate, His heart of mercy for the lost and distressed, our unique opportunity to suffer with Him and the unique privilege of joining Him in His ongoing mission of redemption in this world. I hope that you will pray for me during this opportunity to effect the lives of these potentially influential young people.
I’m excited about the prospects of a few staff additions. All of these folks found Christ in my previous ministry endeavor and are considering coming on board in the areas of fund-development, high school ministry and administrative coordination. I’ll send you more information when we’re ready to move forward on these critical growth opportunities. However, you can already begin praying with me that the Lord provide the necessary funds to advance the cause in this way. Frankly, I’m looking forward to having partners in the cause. I’ve been a little bit lonely trying to do this stuff all alone.
So in summary, how are things, really? Well, we’re paying the bills. We are, I believe, making an impact. And we’re building the staff and infrastructure that will posture us to be a conduit of much ministry from our Lord. The Leverett’s are working on our move back into the city. I have a growing number of speaking opportunities throughout the country. I have a new CD out! I’m married to the cutest 60 inches of femininity the world has ever seen. I have four amazing kids. So while I may struggle a bit with the shouldering of this new effort, I think all in all, things are good.
We developed a budget for this year of $250,000. As I’m discovering, that was an ambitious goal. After three quarters the Lord has provided through honorariums, CD sales and contributions a total of about $140,000. And we’re a little bit in the hole. However, we’re postured to do very well in the final quarter of ‘07 and be in good position to hit the ground running in ‘08. Continue to pray!
By the way, we are trying to have family meetings every Sunday night. Some singing, some giggling, some Bible Study and some serious family business. Listen to some of the comments that my kids made this past week. “We’re spoiled.” “We have too much allowance.” “We want a smaller house.” “We have too much stuff.” “We watch too much TV.” “We’re on the computer too much.” “Can we reduce our TV’s to just one so that we will spend more time together?”
My Lindsay told me today that she wants to join the National Guard, to serve our country and to help pay for college when she graduates from high school. She also is sensing a call to give herself to the Lord’s work in Urban Ministry.
My Lacey’s pet kitten was run over this past week. We wept together. I buried Dash in our back yard. I remembered my two pet dogs who were killed in like fashion when I was Lacey’s age. We’re trying to discern whether to get another dog or cat to replace it.
My Maggie just finished up her volleyball season. She made amazing improvement this year and she made her Dad awfully proud. They came within one point of winning their final tournament this year! Maggie is organizing a garage sale for the benefit of her school.
My Manning and his team had their first play-off football game last night. He’s playing tight end, full back and defensive end. However, he was doubled over with the stomach flu on the side line. Despite his absence from the line up (and my presence as the Offensive Coordinator) we were able to achieve our first playoff victory!
Clark High School plays its final game of the season this week. I’ve been their volunteer Special Teams Coordinator throughout the season. If they win this weekend, and they should, they will advance to the playoffs as well. Richard Johnson and Sam Rauschenberg are busily managing Bible Studies for these boys on Thursday nights.
Oh well, that’s all I have time for. I hope you all enjoy some Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s tonight. And as you are repenting on the scale the following morning with me, remember to pray for Rebirth and our cause in New Orleans and beyond to glorify Christ among the urban poor!
God bless you all and thank you for enabling us to serve our Savior!
As one of my childhood heroes, Popeye the Sailor Man, would say, “I am what I am.” And sometimes that’s a good thing. In my special case, however, it’s often not. Truth is, like my friend Popeye, I don’t always eat my spinach. And as a result, I too get beat up by Brutus…
I’ve learned after 18 years of front line urban ministry, that when things are great, trouble lurks. And when things are tough, God is especially at work. The anchor for me is this: that God is sovereign at all times, that He is intrinsically and perfectly holy, that He is always good, and that I am unconditionally His.
I’d love to be able to report to you that I remain steadfastly encouraged by that truth - and that when I hurt or am discouraged, I run to Jesus. Some times though, I run to dry wells that do not satisfy. Some times I choose bitterness. Sometimes pain is so great and seems so powerful that I exchange what little power I have just to feel better. On and around Halloween my pills of choice are those little packages of Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s. I can’t tell you, or maybe you already know, how medicinal a Butterfinger is when you have the blues. Bitterness and butterfingers give me that immediate rush that all is right within. When that rush is over, I rediscover the art of repentance and thus taste the only thing that really satisfies. (Something tells me I’m going to be doing a lot of repenting tonight!)
Truth is, I’m on the better end of one of the darkest epochs of my life. I remember crying out to God during the height of my pain and the only thing I could feel from God was His severe absence.
That is no longer the case. God has used that pain to elicit in me a newer and deeper longing for and dependence on Him. Honestly, I am reluctant to yearn for and rely on Him when circumstances are more to my pleasing. And now I can say after these difficult few years post-Katrina that I’m proud to be in the fellowship of broken vessels. I’m most thankful to be a Husband and a Father. And I’m grateful to be entering into the second phase of my ministry life - a deeper man - not knowing what this phase will bring, but nevertheless continuing by faith.
At the end of this week I’ll be headed up for a long weekend in the Northeastern United States to speak to a group of Ivy League students. I intend to speak on the love of the Father for our orphaned souls, God’s poverty mandate, His heart of mercy for the lost and distressed, our unique opportunity to suffer with Him and the unique privilege of joining Him in His ongoing mission of redemption in this world. I hope that you will pray for me during this opportunity to effect the lives of these potentially influential young people.
I’m excited about the prospects of a few staff additions. All of these folks found Christ in my previous ministry endeavor and are considering coming on board in the areas of fund-development, high school ministry and administrative coordination. I’ll send you more information when we’re ready to move forward on these critical growth opportunities. However, you can already begin praying with me that the Lord provide the necessary funds to advance the cause in this way. Frankly, I’m looking forward to having partners in the cause. I’ve been a little bit lonely trying to do this stuff all alone.
So in summary, how are things, really? Well, we’re paying the bills. We are, I believe, making an impact. And we’re building the staff and infrastructure that will posture us to be a conduit of much ministry from our Lord. The Leverett’s are working on our move back into the city. I have a growing number of speaking opportunities throughout the country. I have a new CD out! I’m married to the cutest 60 inches of femininity the world has ever seen. I have four amazing kids. So while I may struggle a bit with the shouldering of this new effort, I think all in all, things are good.
We developed a budget for this year of $250,000. As I’m discovering, that was an ambitious goal. After three quarters the Lord has provided through honorariums, CD sales and contributions a total of about $140,000. And we’re a little bit in the hole. However, we’re postured to do very well in the final quarter of ‘07 and be in good position to hit the ground running in ‘08. Continue to pray!
By the way, we are trying to have family meetings every Sunday night. Some singing, some giggling, some Bible Study and some serious family business. Listen to some of the comments that my kids made this past week. “We’re spoiled.” “We have too much allowance.” “We want a smaller house.” “We have too much stuff.” “We watch too much TV.” “We’re on the computer too much.” “Can we reduce our TV’s to just one so that we will spend more time together?”
My Lindsay told me today that she wants to join the National Guard, to serve our country and to help pay for college when she graduates from high school. She also is sensing a call to give herself to the Lord’s work in Urban Ministry.
My Lacey’s pet kitten was run over this past week. We wept together. I buried Dash in our back yard. I remembered my two pet dogs who were killed in like fashion when I was Lacey’s age. We’re trying to discern whether to get another dog or cat to replace it.
My Maggie just finished up her volleyball season. She made amazing improvement this year and she made her Dad awfully proud. They came within one point of winning their final tournament this year! Maggie is organizing a garage sale for the benefit of her school.
My Manning and his team had their first play-off football game last night. He’s playing tight end, full back and defensive end. However, he was doubled over with the stomach flu on the side line. Despite his absence from the line up (and my presence as the Offensive Coordinator) we were able to achieve our first playoff victory!
Clark High School plays its final game of the season this week. I’ve been their volunteer Special Teams Coordinator throughout the season. If they win this weekend, and they should, they will advance to the playoffs as well. Richard Johnson and Sam Rauschenberg are busily managing Bible Studies for these boys on Thursday nights.
Oh well, that’s all I have time for. I hope you all enjoy some Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s tonight. And as you are repenting on the scale the following morning with me, remember to pray for Rebirth and our cause in New Orleans and beyond to glorify Christ among the urban poor!
God bless you all and thank you for enabling us to serve our Savior!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Urgent Need Request
Urgent Need Request - Helping a Katrina find Dignity at Long Last
- a ministry update of Rebirth International - by Mo Leverett
Her story is one of the many stories of the ongoing struggle of post-Katrina New Orleans. For the sake of those involved, I’ll call her Mrs. Welch. It began like this:
Mrs. Welch grew up in Desire. Life in Desire is its own kind of storm. Everyday was a pushing against the pressure of poverty, crime, drugs violence and disintegration. It was a contending with broken families, schools and churches. It was a place that hope had long since abandoned.
Then came Katrina. She was stuck in the storm. She fled the rising flood carrying only a phone book pressed against her chest, hoping that someone might be able to find her and call her daughter.
(Her daughter was one of the first to come to Christ during our ministry in Desire and certainly one of the most endeared of all. She became a spiritual mentor and friend to her mother. As a result, Mrs. Welch began to walk with the Lord in a new-found intimacy and sincerity.)
She was found unconscious in New Orleans some three and a half weeks after the storm, and was helicoptered to a hospital in Baton Rouge. The details have come to me sparsely - I don’t understand them completely. But some hardworking social worker began to go down the list of numbers in the phone book and eventually found Mrs. Welch’s daughter who was some number of states away worried sick and had assumed the worst. She was overjoyed that her mother was still alive! But her health was declining and her body had absorbed a significant blow. FEMA helped her relocate to a town over 500 miles from New Orleans. Separated from her family, friends and community, she only got worse.
The stress of Katrina led to a failing heart, as well as many other physical ailments. She finally fell victim to a new and intense round of depression, and her body finally gave way. She is now three states away, in a town morgue where no one knows her.
Then I receive a phone call for help from her sweet daughter - and my daughter in the Lord. I’ve offered as much as I possibly can. She has asked to have Mrs. Welch buried in the city of New Orleans, which was her request. However, the transport costs of $3,900 which includes preparing the body for transport, are more than she can handle. Her request is for the dignity of her mother after so much personal suffering. I let her know what I was able to contribute through the thin resources at Rebirth and the Leverett family. But she also gave me permission to let all of you know of this special and urgent need.
If you feel moved to help, let me know immediately. I am more than honored to facilitate your generosity towards this urgent need. Thanks in advance for all your help!
- a ministry update of Rebirth International - by Mo Leverett
Her story is one of the many stories of the ongoing struggle of post-Katrina New Orleans. For the sake of those involved, I’ll call her Mrs. Welch. It began like this:
Mrs. Welch grew up in Desire. Life in Desire is its own kind of storm. Everyday was a pushing against the pressure of poverty, crime, drugs violence and disintegration. It was a contending with broken families, schools and churches. It was a place that hope had long since abandoned.
Then came Katrina. She was stuck in the storm. She fled the rising flood carrying only a phone book pressed against her chest, hoping that someone might be able to find her and call her daughter.
(Her daughter was one of the first to come to Christ during our ministry in Desire and certainly one of the most endeared of all. She became a spiritual mentor and friend to her mother. As a result, Mrs. Welch began to walk with the Lord in a new-found intimacy and sincerity.)
She was found unconscious in New Orleans some three and a half weeks after the storm, and was helicoptered to a hospital in Baton Rouge. The details have come to me sparsely - I don’t understand them completely. But some hardworking social worker began to go down the list of numbers in the phone book and eventually found Mrs. Welch’s daughter who was some number of states away worried sick and had assumed the worst. She was overjoyed that her mother was still alive! But her health was declining and her body had absorbed a significant blow. FEMA helped her relocate to a town over 500 miles from New Orleans. Separated from her family, friends and community, she only got worse.
The stress of Katrina led to a failing heart, as well as many other physical ailments. She finally fell victim to a new and intense round of depression, and her body finally gave way. She is now three states away, in a town morgue where no one knows her.
Then I receive a phone call for help from her sweet daughter - and my daughter in the Lord. I’ve offered as much as I possibly can. She has asked to have Mrs. Welch buried in the city of New Orleans, which was her request. However, the transport costs of $3,900 which includes preparing the body for transport, are more than she can handle. Her request is for the dignity of her mother after so much personal suffering. I let her know what I was able to contribute through the thin resources at Rebirth and the Leverett family. But she also gave me permission to let all of you know of this special and urgent need.
If you feel moved to help, let me know immediately. I am more than honored to facilitate your generosity towards this urgent need. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Praying for Mountain Brook Community Church
God’s plans and workings are always mega-dimensional in nature and go well beyond our own conscious awareness of them. And so when I pray for instance for Mountain Brook Community Church, where I had the opportunity and privilege of serving as their keynote speaker during their first annual local missions conference, I am encouraged that God’s response to my prayer is much greater and wider than my capacity to articulate or imagine. Nevertheless, I do pray for them, that God might bestow them with blessing upon blessing for their kindness towards me and their generosity towards Rebirth.
One precious lady told me that she’s been following my ministry from the early days and just sensed the discouragement I must be experiencing in post-Katrina New Orleans, and so, she has prayed for me every day since. I can’t imagine that any person would desire to pray for me at all, wretched rascal that I am, but the fact that she never really even knew me and yet brought me before God’s throne consistently means more than I can begin to describe. And so I pray that the Lord bless her and answer her prayers, even for me.
The Lightfoot family extended wonderful hospitality to me and were a great encouragement - they scored big time with a dinner of fish and grits! That’s way better than the Red Roof Inn, let me tell ya! The entire local missions committee were so gracious and bent over backwards for me during my stay. And thanks to Pastor Tim for the comfort of his couch! And so I pray that God would grant them their heart’s desires in their city.
Those who came to my concert were so kind. I’m not sure I’d give up a night with my family to go hear a Mo Leverett concert, and actually I’m quite sure I wouldn’t, but it meant the world to me for so many to have made that sacrifice. And so I ask God to tend to the safety, security and prosperity of their families.
I will pray for the supported ministries of Mountain Brook like the Foundry, which assists individuals to recover from addictions, pointing them to Christ, Who is the only One in this life worth becoming addicted to. I’ll pray blessing and increase for Restoration Academy and Cornerstone Schools, both who are serving an amazing group of kids, but whose families could never afford the stellar education that they deliver. I’ll pray for the Sav-a-life organizations as they advocate for the most vulnerable and minister to ladies who need to hear of God’s delirious love for them. I’ll pray for God’s blessing on the Medical Missions group that is supplying missionaries with medical equipment. I’ll pray for the alliance of churches in West Birmingham, that God will bring much community transformation out of their partnership with one another. I’ll pray for FCA, that God would help them to reach the athletes of this great city to become the type leaders that honor Christ. I’ll pray for UCF, which may be the coolest campus ministries I’ve ever seen, that God will replicate this ministry template across the world.
For all those I met, I pray that God would renew you so that you become a source and conduit of renewal for others. Thank you again for the privilege of being with you. I hope that we will continue to co-labor for our Lord in the years to come for the sake of His glory!
One precious lady told me that she’s been following my ministry from the early days and just sensed the discouragement I must be experiencing in post-Katrina New Orleans, and so, she has prayed for me every day since. I can’t imagine that any person would desire to pray for me at all, wretched rascal that I am, but the fact that she never really even knew me and yet brought me before God’s throne consistently means more than I can begin to describe. And so I pray that the Lord bless her and answer her prayers, even for me.
The Lightfoot family extended wonderful hospitality to me and were a great encouragement - they scored big time with a dinner of fish and grits! That’s way better than the Red Roof Inn, let me tell ya! The entire local missions committee were so gracious and bent over backwards for me during my stay. And thanks to Pastor Tim for the comfort of his couch! And so I pray that God would grant them their heart’s desires in their city.
Those who came to my concert were so kind. I’m not sure I’d give up a night with my family to go hear a Mo Leverett concert, and actually I’m quite sure I wouldn’t, but it meant the world to me for so many to have made that sacrifice. And so I ask God to tend to the safety, security and prosperity of their families.
I will pray for the supported ministries of Mountain Brook like the Foundry, which assists individuals to recover from addictions, pointing them to Christ, Who is the only One in this life worth becoming addicted to. I’ll pray blessing and increase for Restoration Academy and Cornerstone Schools, both who are serving an amazing group of kids, but whose families could never afford the stellar education that they deliver. I’ll pray for the Sav-a-life organizations as they advocate for the most vulnerable and minister to ladies who need to hear of God’s delirious love for them. I’ll pray for God’s blessing on the Medical Missions group that is supplying missionaries with medical equipment. I’ll pray for the alliance of churches in West Birmingham, that God will bring much community transformation out of their partnership with one another. I’ll pray for FCA, that God would help them to reach the athletes of this great city to become the type leaders that honor Christ. I’ll pray for UCF, which may be the coolest campus ministries I’ve ever seen, that God will replicate this ministry template across the world.
For all those I met, I pray that God would renew you so that you become a source and conduit of renewal for others. Thank you again for the privilege of being with you. I hope that we will continue to co-labor for our Lord in the years to come for the sake of His glory!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Building a Family a Home for the Mission of God
I’m in my portable office - my trusty Toyota Corolla - in front of a vacant lot that my wife has identified through prayerful search as the potential new Leverett’s family home site. I am joining her in prayer and soliciting yours at the same time.
The lot is near the corner of St. Bernard Ave and Mirabeau. It is just a little ways down from the St. Bernard housing project of New Orleans, close to City Park and not far from the University of New Orleans. It is very close to I-610 which puts us within a hop, skip and a jump to just about every part of the city. There is a gentle breeze, a hint of the oncoming autumn air passing through my vehicle. The faint sounds of construction off in the distance signal the ongoing recovery effort in this area. I am resting in the assurance of God’s sovereign purpose for our family and praying…
In my last report to you guys I conveyed my rather busy traveling schedule. I hoped this crowded schedule would remind you of our commitment to the cause, but I know for some it inspired concern for the precious Leverett family which I am primarily called to shepherd. And so I thought I’d give you a fuller update on the status of the Leveretts as we together pursue the next phase of our lives in ministry.
Ellen has taken a part-time job in the afternoons in the after-care program at St. George’s Episcopal School where Maggie and Manning are attending. She is doing this in order to help defray the cost of educating our kids. She is also home schooling Lacey this year and getting some individual tutoring for herself in sign-language, which outside of being the engineer of the Leverett household, is her other passion and interest. I do a second-rate job of managing the routine in her absence on Wednesday nights when she is with her tutor. Her e-mail address is ellenleverett@hotmail.com and I know she would be encouraged to hear from any or all of you.
Lindsay, my oldest daughter is becoming a young adult. She’ll be driving in the not too distant future and is showing signs of maturity in all areas of her life. We’re even beginning to have conversations about college. She has been a central part of my ministry over the years and has internalized such a huge part of my heart for the urban struggle. She has agreed to write an article for our website regarding our mutual interest in the football program at Clark High School, where I am volunteer coaching the special teams. If you’ve seen the movie Remember the Titans, the curly-haired daughter of the Coach is just like my Lindsay, who I affectionately call Dee Dee Brown! She’s also a good athlete in her own rite, but has struggled with shoulder injuries and shin splints. I will be picking her up in an hour as she insists on attending all the practices at Clark High School with me.
My daughter Lacey, also called La La, or Ooo La La, is going through self-discovery issues and has been the most visibly hurt by our departure from the 9th ward. Our ministry there was so much a part of her life that it is painful for her even to talk about, yet we are working on moving forward from here. She’s struggled with migraine headaches and so homeschooling is giving her reprieve to pursue her education at her pace without the pressure that early morning school schedules seem to be for her. She despises living on the West Bank of New Orleans and is very much looking forward to a move. I was able to coach her in Cabbage Ball and Softball this Spring and she became a very valuable asset to the team and demonstrated the most personal improvement. I’m teaching Lacey to play the guitar and she and I are working on a mission project together, as well. She is an aspiring poet and artist.
I attended Maggie’s, or Mags-a-million’s, first volleyball game yesterday. She started and played every point of all three games. She’s likely to be the tallest of all my girls, who all tower over their mother! She is a talented artist and brings that artist perspective to all of life. She’s a bit silly, loves to laugh and to play games on my computer. She makes excellent grades and endears herself to everyone she meets. She and I are due for a Daddy date soon!
Manning, or Manny Man, is my only son. I’m coaching his football team in his first season this year. I can’t begin to tell you how excited he is to be out there. After I bought his equipment that first night, he slept in it! He talks about football without ceasing. I love him so much. He’s smart, athletic but most gentle. When someone is hurting within the family he’s very caring and sensitive and offers himself for comfort. He loves math and science and thus may become my best hope for a retirement plan!
I just wanted all of you to know how much I treasure this family. As soon as our support is raised I very much intend to resume a more rational schedule. Please pray for me. There’s a significant difference between the ages of 42 and 25, the age I was when I launched Desire Street Ministries. Back then, I had boundless energy, few responsibilities and no children. This time around is different. Please feel free to forward information on to others who might want to help us redevelop ministry in the city of New Orleans, resource other urban ministries and churches and replicate incarnational urban ministry stateside and worldwide. We are committed and are asking for your prayer and help!
The lot is near the corner of St. Bernard Ave and Mirabeau. It is just a little ways down from the St. Bernard housing project of New Orleans, close to City Park and not far from the University of New Orleans. It is very close to I-610 which puts us within a hop, skip and a jump to just about every part of the city. There is a gentle breeze, a hint of the oncoming autumn air passing through my vehicle. The faint sounds of construction off in the distance signal the ongoing recovery effort in this area. I am resting in the assurance of God’s sovereign purpose for our family and praying…
In my last report to you guys I conveyed my rather busy traveling schedule. I hoped this crowded schedule would remind you of our commitment to the cause, but I know for some it inspired concern for the precious Leverett family which I am primarily called to shepherd. And so I thought I’d give you a fuller update on the status of the Leveretts as we together pursue the next phase of our lives in ministry.
Ellen has taken a part-time job in the afternoons in the after-care program at St. George’s Episcopal School where Maggie and Manning are attending. She is doing this in order to help defray the cost of educating our kids. She is also home schooling Lacey this year and getting some individual tutoring for herself in sign-language, which outside of being the engineer of the Leverett household, is her other passion and interest. I do a second-rate job of managing the routine in her absence on Wednesday nights when she is with her tutor. Her e-mail address is ellenleverett@hotmail.com and I know she would be encouraged to hear from any or all of you.
Lindsay, my oldest daughter is becoming a young adult. She’ll be driving in the not too distant future and is showing signs of maturity in all areas of her life. We’re even beginning to have conversations about college. She has been a central part of my ministry over the years and has internalized such a huge part of my heart for the urban struggle. She has agreed to write an article for our website regarding our mutual interest in the football program at Clark High School, where I am volunteer coaching the special teams. If you’ve seen the movie Remember the Titans, the curly-haired daughter of the Coach is just like my Lindsay, who I affectionately call Dee Dee Brown! She’s also a good athlete in her own rite, but has struggled with shoulder injuries and shin splints. I will be picking her up in an hour as she insists on attending all the practices at Clark High School with me.
My daughter Lacey, also called La La, or Ooo La La, is going through self-discovery issues and has been the most visibly hurt by our departure from the 9th ward. Our ministry there was so much a part of her life that it is painful for her even to talk about, yet we are working on moving forward from here. She’s struggled with migraine headaches and so homeschooling is giving her reprieve to pursue her education at her pace without the pressure that early morning school schedules seem to be for her. She despises living on the West Bank of New Orleans and is very much looking forward to a move. I was able to coach her in Cabbage Ball and Softball this Spring and she became a very valuable asset to the team and demonstrated the most personal improvement. I’m teaching Lacey to play the guitar and she and I are working on a mission project together, as well. She is an aspiring poet and artist.
I attended Maggie’s, or Mags-a-million’s, first volleyball game yesterday. She started and played every point of all three games. She’s likely to be the tallest of all my girls, who all tower over their mother! She is a talented artist and brings that artist perspective to all of life. She’s a bit silly, loves to laugh and to play games on my computer. She makes excellent grades and endears herself to everyone she meets. She and I are due for a Daddy date soon!
Manning, or Manny Man, is my only son. I’m coaching his football team in his first season this year. I can’t begin to tell you how excited he is to be out there. After I bought his equipment that first night, he slept in it! He talks about football without ceasing. I love him so much. He’s smart, athletic but most gentle. When someone is hurting within the family he’s very caring and sensitive and offers himself for comfort. He loves math and science and thus may become my best hope for a retirement plan!
I just wanted all of you to know how much I treasure this family. As soon as our support is raised I very much intend to resume a more rational schedule. Please pray for me. There’s a significant difference between the ages of 42 and 25, the age I was when I launched Desire Street Ministries. Back then, I had boundless energy, few responsibilities and no children. This time around is different. Please feel free to forward information on to others who might want to help us redevelop ministry in the city of New Orleans, resource other urban ministries and churches and replicate incarnational urban ministry stateside and worldwide. We are committed and are asking for your prayer and help!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Update
Dear friends,
I am doing right now, (and with my wife's blessing by the way), what I had planned not to do. I am traveling. I am traveling a lot.
Just recently I've been in Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Brookhaven, Gainesville, Valdosta, Macon and Atlanta. I'll be in Birmingham this weekend. I'll be in Chicago the next. I'll be in Orlando the week after. I'll take a couple of weekends off and then travel to the Northeast to speak to a group of students from Harvard, Yale and other Ivy Leaguers. And then I'll round off November with an engagement to speak to a church from Augusta at a retreat in the North Georgia Mountains. (My schedule is blank in December by the way, in case anyone might want to book me, or otherwise desires to send support to keep me at home!)
Ellen and I just had a lengthy conversation about our lives. It was good. But we've endured much in the past few years - like 17 Years of front line urban ministry in one of the nations most challenging communities. Then came a hurricane...the loss of all our possessions...a rough patch in our love affair..the departure from the ministry that I founded and dearly love, not to mention the immense stress, pain, disappointment and anger that severance caused.
We've also experienced much healing though, much confirmation of love and much joy in reflecting on God's restorative faithfulness. And we want and pray for the second phase of our ministry lives to be more meaningful, more beautiful, more fruitful, more impacting and more glorifying to God than was the first.
And so, I reluctantly travel. Partly to invite others to participate and partner with us in this next phase, partly to continue to inspire others to follow Christ in healing and redemptive ministries among the poor wherever they are, and partly to pay the bills.
But we were thinking tonight. We're thinking and praying about putting our West Bank house on the market, considering purchasing a lot back on the east bank of New Orleans and hoping to build a new house for the Leverett's there - reestablishing ourselves in ministry in the heart of the city that we love and have been called to serve.
The city presents so many new and wonderful opportunities. In whatever sphere you can imagine there are exciting yet daunting challenges - whether in the fields of housing, education, church planting, economic development or any other part of urban revitalization, the truth is, New Orleans is where it is at. There is the possibility that our strategies for rebirth in New Orleans would have implications for urban renewal throughout our entire country. Our experiments will be considered and studied by many throughout academia and government halls. It is an opportunity for the church to do more than provide relief but to lead in rebirth initiatives. Thus, the idea I am now calling, The Center for Rebirth.
While this concept is still seminal, we're thinking that all of the expertise that we've harnessed over the years could be critically important to the rebirth of our city and other pockets of poverty, as well. And rather than me traveling so dog gone much, why not develop a center where we can invite and facilitate the gathering, inspiring, training and commissioning of persons into ministry in this city and well beyond it? The Center would be a place that could inspire incarnational works among the poor in every county in our nation, every continent in our world as well as every community in our city. The center could help to reawaken the church to God's heart for the brokenhearted. And the center might rekindle within the heart of the church God's passion for the poor as well as promote effective and proven strategies for transformation and hope. The Center might facilitate many great works that would provide a foundation for rebirth in this great city and beyond.
We are trusting God to continue to provide for us and to lead us in the way we should go. Will you pray for us as well and tell us what you think?
Going deeper,
Mo Leverett
I am doing right now, (and with my wife's blessing by the way), what I had planned not to do. I am traveling. I am traveling a lot.
Just recently I've been in Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Brookhaven, Gainesville, Valdosta, Macon and Atlanta. I'll be in Birmingham this weekend. I'll be in Chicago the next. I'll be in Orlando the week after. I'll take a couple of weekends off and then travel to the Northeast to speak to a group of students from Harvard, Yale and other Ivy Leaguers. And then I'll round off November with an engagement to speak to a church from Augusta at a retreat in the North Georgia Mountains. (My schedule is blank in December by the way, in case anyone might want to book me, or otherwise desires to send support to keep me at home!)
Ellen and I just had a lengthy conversation about our lives. It was good. But we've endured much in the past few years - like 17 Years of front line urban ministry in one of the nations most challenging communities. Then came a hurricane...the loss of all our possessions...a rough patch in our love affair..the departure from the ministry that I founded and dearly love, not to mention the immense stress, pain, disappointment and anger that severance caused.
We've also experienced much healing though, much confirmation of love and much joy in reflecting on God's restorative faithfulness. And we want and pray for the second phase of our ministry lives to be more meaningful, more beautiful, more fruitful, more impacting and more glorifying to God than was the first.
And so, I reluctantly travel. Partly to invite others to participate and partner with us in this next phase, partly to continue to inspire others to follow Christ in healing and redemptive ministries among the poor wherever they are, and partly to pay the bills.
But we were thinking tonight. We're thinking and praying about putting our West Bank house on the market, considering purchasing a lot back on the east bank of New Orleans and hoping to build a new house for the Leverett's there - reestablishing ourselves in ministry in the heart of the city that we love and have been called to serve.
The city presents so many new and wonderful opportunities. In whatever sphere you can imagine there are exciting yet daunting challenges - whether in the fields of housing, education, church planting, economic development or any other part of urban revitalization, the truth is, New Orleans is where it is at. There is the possibility that our strategies for rebirth in New Orleans would have implications for urban renewal throughout our entire country. Our experiments will be considered and studied by many throughout academia and government halls. It is an opportunity for the church to do more than provide relief but to lead in rebirth initiatives. Thus, the idea I am now calling, The Center for Rebirth.
While this concept is still seminal, we're thinking that all of the expertise that we've harnessed over the years could be critically important to the rebirth of our city and other pockets of poverty, as well. And rather than me traveling so dog gone much, why not develop a center where we can invite and facilitate the gathering, inspiring, training and commissioning of persons into ministry in this city and well beyond it? The Center would be a place that could inspire incarnational works among the poor in every county in our nation, every continent in our world as well as every community in our city. The center could help to reawaken the church to God's heart for the brokenhearted. And the center might rekindle within the heart of the church God's passion for the poor as well as promote effective and proven strategies for transformation and hope. The Center might facilitate many great works that would provide a foundation for rebirth in this great city and beyond.
We are trusting God to continue to provide for us and to lead us in the way we should go. Will you pray for us as well and tell us what you think?
Going deeper,
Mo Leverett
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Culture of the Rubber Glove
The scriptures are vast, deep and wider than can be explored fully in the scope of one’s natural life. As such, I find myself camping out in familiar places. There are certain passages that have become for me life passages - places of scripture that I go to regularly or rather come to me at peculiar times. This morning I woke thinking of the story of Christ’s encounter with the Leper. Not sure why this passage has always been one that feeds my soul, but it does, regularly.
In Luke 4, it begins, “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who as covered with leprosy.”
And of course we can imagine the scene. Here comes this guy who is visibly…not well. Not well at all. His appearance is so disgusting and the fear of infection so great among the crowds that we, if we were there, would be ill-advised to remain in close proximity. So we, like all the others, scatter. If we do not leave the scene altogether, we place ourselves at a significantly safer distance. No one wants to become sick.
While wellness on this side of the Jordan is illusory at best, advocating for it has become the high-pitched craze of our culture today. Certain individuals become so consumed with this trend that they become self-appointed ambassadors of the cause - the notorious, yet volunteer health police. A man tries to lose weight by drinking low-calorie drinks only to be lectured about the ill-effects of aspartame and sodium. You can’t drink a glass of old fashioned homogenized milk without the fat brigade looking at you funny. Everyday there is a new report that regular activity is dangerous, normal foods are deadly, certain necessary medicines are cancer-causing poisons. Educators seem the most eager to jump on the wellness bandwagon, and our children become the convenient emissaries of the crusade. Sometimes I hate to see them coming. Daddy, you know that cigars will kill you don’t you Daddy! Dad, cheeseburgers will kill you! Daddy, you know that fried food is bad for you. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…and fill in the blank.
Sick people these days thus are not looked at sympathetically. Sick people, often, are getting what they deserve. If only they had done this, that or the other, they wouldn’t be in this condition. Or if only they had abstained from this, that or the other they wouldn’t be ill. But let’s open our eyes. While healthy eating may contribute to a longer life, and I am not to be mistaken for making a theological case for my appreciation for the finer qualities of fast-food, we nevertheless all die. Each and everyone of us. Sickness catches up with all of us at some point and escorts us mercilessly to the grave, despite the volume of asparagus we may choose or fail to consume.
So we, if we were caught up in this story, would have admittedly been the first to flee. And the least likely to stick around during this person’s cry for help. We do not want to be around those who are sick. And most certainly not around those with infectious and terminal diseases. We are the culture of the rubber glove. We do not want our hands dirtied with the sicknesses of this world. And so we back-peddle. We retreat. But we do so at great cost to ourselves. Keep reading.Jesus did not retreat. By standing there, Jesus not only communicated that He was willing to risk infection on behalf of this man, but the fact that He did so serves as a metaphor of His willingness to internalize our infection and restore us all to the true state of health.
The more that I ruminate on the human condition and the older I get, the more I realize that there are only two types of people in this world. There are those who are not well. And then, there are those who know they are not well. The good fortune of this leper is that he knew how bad off he was. He knew that he was sick. He knew he needed help. The crowd of people who retreated were suffering with a much more deadly disease - the delusion that they were well. But Jesus knew they were sick. He knows that we, down to the last person, are deeply diseased.
There were many people in the crowd that day. But only one was touched by Jesus. It was the one who knew he was not well. If everyone there was thinking soberly, they would have all clasped the arms of the leper and proclaimed in unison with him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” They would have identified themselves with the leper. And they would have felt the touch of Jesus!
Moreover, those of us who fail to see our own sickness thus see ourselves in relationship with the world in a skewed way. We are tempted to see ourselves as somehow better than the bum in the street or the single-parent in the project. If the church saw things rightly there would be a flood of missionaries in the streets identifying with the least and the lost. If the church saw things rightly, we would peel off our rubber gloves, roll up our sleeves and become like Jesus: touching the untouchable and changing the world!Lord help me to identify the leprosy within, so that I might experience afresh the healing touch of Jesus. And Lord make my hands willing to also touch the sickness of this world, so that I might be with Jesus in the ongoing work in His name!
by Mo LeverettRebirth International
In Luke 4, it begins, “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who as covered with leprosy.”
And of course we can imagine the scene. Here comes this guy who is visibly…not well. Not well at all. His appearance is so disgusting and the fear of infection so great among the crowds that we, if we were there, would be ill-advised to remain in close proximity. So we, like all the others, scatter. If we do not leave the scene altogether, we place ourselves at a significantly safer distance. No one wants to become sick.
While wellness on this side of the Jordan is illusory at best, advocating for it has become the high-pitched craze of our culture today. Certain individuals become so consumed with this trend that they become self-appointed ambassadors of the cause - the notorious, yet volunteer health police. A man tries to lose weight by drinking low-calorie drinks only to be lectured about the ill-effects of aspartame and sodium. You can’t drink a glass of old fashioned homogenized milk without the fat brigade looking at you funny. Everyday there is a new report that regular activity is dangerous, normal foods are deadly, certain necessary medicines are cancer-causing poisons. Educators seem the most eager to jump on the wellness bandwagon, and our children become the convenient emissaries of the crusade. Sometimes I hate to see them coming. Daddy, you know that cigars will kill you don’t you Daddy! Dad, cheeseburgers will kill you! Daddy, you know that fried food is bad for you. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…and fill in the blank.
Sick people these days thus are not looked at sympathetically. Sick people, often, are getting what they deserve. If only they had done this, that or the other, they wouldn’t be in this condition. Or if only they had abstained from this, that or the other they wouldn’t be ill. But let’s open our eyes. While healthy eating may contribute to a longer life, and I am not to be mistaken for making a theological case for my appreciation for the finer qualities of fast-food, we nevertheless all die. Each and everyone of us. Sickness catches up with all of us at some point and escorts us mercilessly to the grave, despite the volume of asparagus we may choose or fail to consume.
So we, if we were caught up in this story, would have admittedly been the first to flee. And the least likely to stick around during this person’s cry for help. We do not want to be around those who are sick. And most certainly not around those with infectious and terminal diseases. We are the culture of the rubber glove. We do not want our hands dirtied with the sicknesses of this world. And so we back-peddle. We retreat. But we do so at great cost to ourselves. Keep reading.Jesus did not retreat. By standing there, Jesus not only communicated that He was willing to risk infection on behalf of this man, but the fact that He did so serves as a metaphor of His willingness to internalize our infection and restore us all to the true state of health.
The more that I ruminate on the human condition and the older I get, the more I realize that there are only two types of people in this world. There are those who are not well. And then, there are those who know they are not well. The good fortune of this leper is that he knew how bad off he was. He knew that he was sick. He knew he needed help. The crowd of people who retreated were suffering with a much more deadly disease - the delusion that they were well. But Jesus knew they were sick. He knows that we, down to the last person, are deeply diseased.
There were many people in the crowd that day. But only one was touched by Jesus. It was the one who knew he was not well. If everyone there was thinking soberly, they would have all clasped the arms of the leper and proclaimed in unison with him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” They would have identified themselves with the leper. And they would have felt the touch of Jesus!
Moreover, those of us who fail to see our own sickness thus see ourselves in relationship with the world in a skewed way. We are tempted to see ourselves as somehow better than the bum in the street or the single-parent in the project. If the church saw things rightly there would be a flood of missionaries in the streets identifying with the least and the lost. If the church saw things rightly, we would peel off our rubber gloves, roll up our sleeves and become like Jesus: touching the untouchable and changing the world!Lord help me to identify the leprosy within, so that I might experience afresh the healing touch of Jesus. And Lord make my hands willing to also touch the sickness of this world, so that I might be with Jesus in the ongoing work in His name!
by Mo LeverettRebirth International
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Rebirth Assists Churches in Corpus Christi to Unite for Spiritual and Urban Renewal
I was invited to speak at South Side Community Church of Corpus Christi, TX this past weekend, (a church associated with the Presbyterian Church in America). It was scheduled, from a human perspective, rather spontaneously, but there was no doubt that it was God Who had planned and ordained the rendezvous - from the beginning. I’m not sure that I’ve seen God move so dramatically in the hearts of people in so short a period of time.
Corpus Christi is a gulf coast Texas town with many challenges and stimulating opportunities for the Gospel of Christ.
It is clear that God has been preparing this church over the course of much long suffering to now give leadership to a significant work in the city. I was so impressed with the pastor and elders in this small but ambitious church. I am notorious for delivering hard to hear theological content. But it seemed that this church and its leadership were ready for a theological and missional awakening and stirring.
The church hosted many talks and meetings, as well as one concert, and invited other sister churches throughout the city. Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists and others gathered to consider ways in which One Church could begin to address the unique challenges faced by those communities most at-risk. A distinct spirit of unity and mission could be felt throughout the weekend. Churches who exist next door to each other are now partnering for the sake of the Gospel in their beloved city.
Please pray for South Side Community Church, its leadership, membership and its new partners in the word and work of the Gospel. They are planning new campus ministries, downtown district initiatives, and much more. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and go before them. And give thanks to the Lord for the victories He is accomplishing in Corpus Christi!
Here is a portion of their Pastor’s (Kyle Livingston) testimony of our time together:
I continue to rejoice at the rare package of giftedness the Lord has assembled in Mo’s musical and teaching skills, his passion for not just the poor in New Orleans, but for the kingdom (he was as genuinely enthused about the ministry opportunity he saw - both present and prospective - in Corpus Christi as when he spoke of New Orleans), as well as his ease and authentic intention of engaging one-on-one with people for extended amounts of time.
As he loved us, and allowed us to see how the Lord has loved him, particularly after the devastation of Katrina and in the midst of his own real struggles, we- a bunch of South Texans learned to love with him, New Orleans and Louisiana as God does. We wept for them, now hope for them, and yearn to serve them. And, we learned to see our own city with lenses of renewal, as well.
Corpus Christi is a gulf coast Texas town with many challenges and stimulating opportunities for the Gospel of Christ.
It is clear that God has been preparing this church over the course of much long suffering to now give leadership to a significant work in the city. I was so impressed with the pastor and elders in this small but ambitious church. I am notorious for delivering hard to hear theological content. But it seemed that this church and its leadership were ready for a theological and missional awakening and stirring.
The church hosted many talks and meetings, as well as one concert, and invited other sister churches throughout the city. Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists and others gathered to consider ways in which One Church could begin to address the unique challenges faced by those communities most at-risk. A distinct spirit of unity and mission could be felt throughout the weekend. Churches who exist next door to each other are now partnering for the sake of the Gospel in their beloved city.
Please pray for South Side Community Church, its leadership, membership and its new partners in the word and work of the Gospel. They are planning new campus ministries, downtown district initiatives, and much more. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and go before them. And give thanks to the Lord for the victories He is accomplishing in Corpus Christi!
Here is a portion of their Pastor’s (Kyle Livingston) testimony of our time together:
I continue to rejoice at the rare package of giftedness the Lord has assembled in Mo’s musical and teaching skills, his passion for not just the poor in New Orleans, but for the kingdom (he was as genuinely enthused about the ministry opportunity he saw - both present and prospective - in Corpus Christi as when he spoke of New Orleans), as well as his ease and authentic intention of engaging one-on-one with people for extended amounts of time.
As he loved us, and allowed us to see how the Lord has loved him, particularly after the devastation of Katrina and in the midst of his own real struggles, we- a bunch of South Texans learned to love with him, New Orleans and Louisiana as God does. We wept for them, now hope for them, and yearn to serve them. And, we learned to see our own city with lenses of renewal, as well.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Celebrating 21 Years of Marriage and Ministry Together
While it may not sound romantic, trust me, it was her idea. Ellen and I celebrated our 21st anniversary today by enjoying a midday 2 game bowling tournament, followed up by a meal at Steak and Ale - rib eye and baked potato! Every guy should have a wife like this!
I forget who I was speaking to, but when she heard that Ellen and I had been married for 21 years, she said, “Wow! These days, that’s quite an accomplishment!” And it really is - especially on her side of the equation. I am so thankful for her and for my four amazing children who are beautiful and mostly well-adjusted due to the steady, tender and motherly hand of Ellen. Few have better instincts in the whole motherhood department than Ellen Leverett. And very few people would likely endure what I’ve put her through and still, even to this day, be willing to endure more. What a champion she is - and I’m the luckiest guy on the planet!
Now the day is winding down. The kids are in bed. Ellen has drifted off to sleep. I’m at my computer soliciting your prayers as I have mostly packed my bags for a fund-raising trip to Dallas and later a consultation visit and concert in Corpus Christi. I will arise again at 5:15 am and enter another day of building a new ministry. I will be in Houston the following weekend and in Georgia the weekend after that. In between all of this I’m coaching at Clark High School, meeting with pastors, educators and other city leaders. I’m making support calls. I’m trying to stay on top of all the administrative affairs. I am working hard, but as the Good Book says, “unless the Lord builds the house…those who labor, labor in vain.” I hope you will pray for me this week, that the Lord go before me. Pray that He provide all the resources necessary to launch this ministry. Pray for the appropriate administrative assistance to under gird my efforts and compliment my weaknesses in this endeavor. Pray that God would raise up the spiritual leadership to go into the harvest fields. Mostly, pray that I would remain ever diligent in remaining ever reliant and that I not resist the hands of the potter in His ongoing work in me.
As you know, I have been in faith-based ministry for over 17 years now as a domestic urban missionary. Remarkably during this time period, Ellen and I have never missed a paycheck until, that is, August of ‘07. Were this the case 6 months ago, I might would be checking into jobs at the local Winn-Dixie. However, Ellen and I have a strange peace about all of this. With a busy Fall and early Spring, we are confident that the resources will come in to keep us going in the execution of this important vision. Also with the release of our new CD project in the Fall, we trust that we will begin to realize a return on that particular investment. If the Lord lays it on your heart to continue to support the Leverett family in the work of advancing urban ministry initiatives, we will strive to see that your investment have eternal significance.
But right now, rejoice with us that we are enduring in love, progressing in service to our Savior and continuing to push against the darkness with the light of the Gospel!
I forget who I was speaking to, but when she heard that Ellen and I had been married for 21 years, she said, “Wow! These days, that’s quite an accomplishment!” And it really is - especially on her side of the equation. I am so thankful for her and for my four amazing children who are beautiful and mostly well-adjusted due to the steady, tender and motherly hand of Ellen. Few have better instincts in the whole motherhood department than Ellen Leverett. And very few people would likely endure what I’ve put her through and still, even to this day, be willing to endure more. What a champion she is - and I’m the luckiest guy on the planet!
Now the day is winding down. The kids are in bed. Ellen has drifted off to sleep. I’m at my computer soliciting your prayers as I have mostly packed my bags for a fund-raising trip to Dallas and later a consultation visit and concert in Corpus Christi. I will arise again at 5:15 am and enter another day of building a new ministry. I will be in Houston the following weekend and in Georgia the weekend after that. In between all of this I’m coaching at Clark High School, meeting with pastors, educators and other city leaders. I’m making support calls. I’m trying to stay on top of all the administrative affairs. I am working hard, but as the Good Book says, “unless the Lord builds the house…those who labor, labor in vain.” I hope you will pray for me this week, that the Lord go before me. Pray that He provide all the resources necessary to launch this ministry. Pray for the appropriate administrative assistance to under gird my efforts and compliment my weaknesses in this endeavor. Pray that God would raise up the spiritual leadership to go into the harvest fields. Mostly, pray that I would remain ever diligent in remaining ever reliant and that I not resist the hands of the potter in His ongoing work in me.
As you know, I have been in faith-based ministry for over 17 years now as a domestic urban missionary. Remarkably during this time period, Ellen and I have never missed a paycheck until, that is, August of ‘07. Were this the case 6 months ago, I might would be checking into jobs at the local Winn-Dixie. However, Ellen and I have a strange peace about all of this. With a busy Fall and early Spring, we are confident that the resources will come in to keep us going in the execution of this important vision. Also with the release of our new CD project in the Fall, we trust that we will begin to realize a return on that particular investment. If the Lord lays it on your heart to continue to support the Leverett family in the work of advancing urban ministry initiatives, we will strive to see that your investment have eternal significance.
But right now, rejoice with us that we are enduring in love, progressing in service to our Savior and continuing to push against the darkness with the light of the Gospel!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
We're Feeling Good
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Peter, The Apostle of Jesus
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! John, The Apostle of Jesus
I’ve been pulling early mornings and so I was nodding off at nine. My wife gently awakened me to inform me that Manning, my nine year old son, has a surprise for me and wants to tell me something. My wife noticing my preference for sleep and reluctance to be disturbed assured me that I would not be disappointed. Collecting myself, I struggled up the stairs and found Manning under the covers with nothing showing but his glowing and compressed grin. I snuggle next to him, place my arm under his head and say, “Hey buddy, what’s going on?” He paused. Then he said, “I’m ready to accept Jesus into my heart.”
I’ve had some encouraging moments in the past year. But as I reflect back, there are none quite so sweet as this one. My pride in that boy is one of the most cherished parts of my life. To impart myself to him is the world’s greatest privilege. For him to believe that I’m the world’s greatest dad is affirmation at its finest. So after leading him in prayer and exchanging some words of affection, I asked him, “How do you feel Manny Man?” He paused. “I’m feeling really good about myself,” he said.
It’s hard to believe that God’s love for me and Manning is greater, far greater than what we feel for one another. But that is the good news. While I love Manning, it is no trouble at all for me and it is my distinct joy to introduce him to His real Dad - Abba Father. While I am a staunch believer in the theological motif of original sin - and I give evidence to it daily - I believe also that because of the Father’s love, we can truly feel good about ourselves.
It was also my joy to introduce some young men at Clark High School recently to my Father as well. It is even greater encouragement for me to know that Richard Johnson, who I had the privilege of introducing to the Father in the early days of my ministry in Desire, is becoming for these young men a real father figure. It also gladdened me to facilitate the generosity of Greg Jacobs, another one of our students and disciples from Desire who now is a young and successful entrepreneur, who almost single handedly funded the camp these boys attended!
While much of the past couple of years have been difficult, I will testify with much assuredness that I would not trade my life for another man’s life or for anything that you could offer me in this world. You could say that I’m feeling really good about myself.
I have a packed Fall and early Spring traveling, speaking, singing and teaching. We are advancing the principles and theological framework that gives rise to kingdom building among the poor. This is resulting in many new works around the country and world. Thank you for supporting me in this endeavor. My new CD project Of Orphans and Kings will be released this Fall. Pray with me that this CD will help widen the impact that we can have in the promotion of incarnational ministry among the poor stateside and worldwide.
Our vision for the city of New Orleans is crystallizing around the concept of replicating the original ministry package of youth bible studies, leadership development, tutoring and camping in every one of the at-risk public schools in the city. We also intend to plant a church into which those young people can be enfolded, nurtured, instructed and commissioned in the Gospel of Christ.
Never before has the public schools of New Orleans been more open to the help that we can provide. We’re excited about these opportunities for the Gospel’s advancement in the city. We’re feeling good. Real Good.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! John, The Apostle of Jesus
I’ve been pulling early mornings and so I was nodding off at nine. My wife gently awakened me to inform me that Manning, my nine year old son, has a surprise for me and wants to tell me something. My wife noticing my preference for sleep and reluctance to be disturbed assured me that I would not be disappointed. Collecting myself, I struggled up the stairs and found Manning under the covers with nothing showing but his glowing and compressed grin. I snuggle next to him, place my arm under his head and say, “Hey buddy, what’s going on?” He paused. Then he said, “I’m ready to accept Jesus into my heart.”
I’ve had some encouraging moments in the past year. But as I reflect back, there are none quite so sweet as this one. My pride in that boy is one of the most cherished parts of my life. To impart myself to him is the world’s greatest privilege. For him to believe that I’m the world’s greatest dad is affirmation at its finest. So after leading him in prayer and exchanging some words of affection, I asked him, “How do you feel Manny Man?” He paused. “I’m feeling really good about myself,” he said.
It’s hard to believe that God’s love for me and Manning is greater, far greater than what we feel for one another. But that is the good news. While I love Manning, it is no trouble at all for me and it is my distinct joy to introduce him to His real Dad - Abba Father. While I am a staunch believer in the theological motif of original sin - and I give evidence to it daily - I believe also that because of the Father’s love, we can truly feel good about ourselves.
It was also my joy to introduce some young men at Clark High School recently to my Father as well. It is even greater encouragement for me to know that Richard Johnson, who I had the privilege of introducing to the Father in the early days of my ministry in Desire, is becoming for these young men a real father figure. It also gladdened me to facilitate the generosity of Greg Jacobs, another one of our students and disciples from Desire who now is a young and successful entrepreneur, who almost single handedly funded the camp these boys attended!
While much of the past couple of years have been difficult, I will testify with much assuredness that I would not trade my life for another man’s life or for anything that you could offer me in this world. You could say that I’m feeling really good about myself.
I have a packed Fall and early Spring traveling, speaking, singing and teaching. We are advancing the principles and theological framework that gives rise to kingdom building among the poor. This is resulting in many new works around the country and world. Thank you for supporting me in this endeavor. My new CD project Of Orphans and Kings will be released this Fall. Pray with me that this CD will help widen the impact that we can have in the promotion of incarnational ministry among the poor stateside and worldwide.
Our vision for the city of New Orleans is crystallizing around the concept of replicating the original ministry package of youth bible studies, leadership development, tutoring and camping in every one of the at-risk public schools in the city. We also intend to plant a church into which those young people can be enfolded, nurtured, instructed and commissioned in the Gospel of Christ.
Never before has the public schools of New Orleans been more open to the help that we can provide. We’re excited about these opportunities for the Gospel’s advancement in the city. We’re feeling good. Real Good.
New Review of Orphans and Kings
Of Orphans and Kings
Review by Pastor Dave Hutchinson
Pastor of Christ the Shepherd Church, Danbury CT There is one thing I have come to expect from any new recording by Mo Leverett: it will be both honest and authentic, filtered through current life experience. It will be grounded in reality which means that there will be more grit than just a tip-of-the-cap to the ugliness of life. There will also be heavy doses of hope in a Mo Leverett recording, because Mo’s Reality is grounded in the God for whom “hope” is a household word.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:13).
The 2005 offering, Blades of Love, (Mo’s seventh album) was accurately described as “Mo’s most optimistic record yet.” It mirrored the life and ministry of a man who was basking in the Lord’s blessing. Nearly two decades of risk-taking, heartache, faithfulness, goal-setting, goal-achieving, people-investing, and hard work was paying off. Mo Leverett’s life’s work, the ministry to the poor of New Orleans, was successful by all accounts – new facilities, new school, new athletic fields. Ministry convergence! The pieces falling into place! Most importantly, lives were being transformed. A lost generation had been found! Not only that, but God was using the work in New Orleans to inspire others to step out and take their own risks in their own cities among those formerly forgotten people in pockets of poverty. Mo was an Influencer, an Inspiration.
Then came Hurricane Katrina.
The city was flooded, the people were scattered – and Mo seemingly dropped off the face of the earth.
What had happened? People who had prayed for the Leverett family wondered what they would look like (if and) when they resurfaced. Many imagined we could relate to what Mo was going through – the grief of losing loved-ones, of the devastation of ministry buildings that had been painstakingly constructed, of losing a home, of losing every single possession in that home (a line in one of the ministry updates about the loss of Ellen’s collection of earrings that had commemorated every anniversary was poignant). We imagined that we felt the same pain that Mo was experiencing. It turns out we were wrong. The only person feeling that level of desperation and hopelessness was the one actually walking through it at the time – and the One walking through it with him.
In Of Orphans and Kings we get an album to tell us Mo’s story of the past two years. It doesn’t tell us every detail of Mo’s life but it tells us what we need to know and it gives us a point of reference for our own struggles. Of Orphans and Kings was nearly named Like Hell Inside. A little time spent with the album reveals why it was such a tough decision between these two potential titles. (I’m glad that Of Orphans and Kings won out – the worst is behind and God is moving Mo forward.)
Musically, this is what one would expect from a Mo Leverett album. Like other craftsmen, from The Innocence Mission, to James Taylor, to John Hiatt, to the late Rich Mullins, you know what you’re getting – a few but not a lot of musical surprises, because with Mo’s music there’s something better. A conversation with an old friend who has a new tale to tell. Mo is not going to musically “weird out” on his long-time listeners. What we get is a well-organized, with great musicianship (including backing vocals from the great Ashley Cleveland), collection of songs – a body of work – that demands to be heard several times for the themes to work their way into the listener’s soul. This is not a made-for-iTunes album where one can lift a favorite song or two out of their context and throw them into some randomly generated “music mix.” It’s an album that tells a story. What sets this album apart from its predecessors is not the music, which is reliably good and listenable. Rather, the most jarring thing about this album is that the lyrical content is even more personal and disturbing than the pictures of the Desire Street neighborhood that Mo painted on prior albums.
Picture yourself by a comforting fireplace, sitting down to have a conversation with an old friend whom you haven’t seen for awhile, looking forward to a familiar conversation. You’re expecting to enjoy the conversation, to be challenged theologically and practically, to listen and to be heard…. And you’re eager for the hours ahead because you know what’s in store; it’s the kind of conversation that you don’t get to have often enough.
It starts on that familiar note – “Thank You Lord.” And you nod your head and you think, “Yes, there’s a lot for which to be thankful. Thank you, Mo, for reminding me to be thankful to the Lord for being my shelter. Yes, I’m thankful that the Lord saved my life. Yes, I’m thankful for the family the Lord gave me. Etc. Etc. Etc.”
All of a sudden, however, the conversation takes an unexpected turn and you sit up and listen. You lose track of time and your coffee gets cold as your mind is forced to process phrases like these:
…walls collapsing in….
…men with masks and rubber gloves were claiming all I’d lost…..
…the commotion and rage inside of me….
…when a hole up in that levee blows a hole up in your heart….
…Do you know how it feels to wound those you love, to wound them and then to wipe up their blood?
…Do you know how it feels to give up your power for vapors and mists that fade in an hour?
…never thought friends would abandon him there and leave without words or even a prayer….
…poisonous tears from an embittered face….
…I’ve lost everything I worked to keep….
And you keep listening even though a part of you would rather not hear what you’re being told. You’d like to give advice or interrupt the flow of pain by giving consolation. You’d like to lambaste those who left your friend in the ditch. You’d like to protest that you wouldn’t have done that if only you’d known he was in the ditch (at least, you don’t think you would have done that; not intentionally, anyway). But you just keep those thoughts inside your head and you simply listen. You silently pray and you try to learn something about God and pain and suffering and redemption and life. You think, “This could be me someday. No, it will be me. Listen up!”
This album is painful for those who want to dive in and explore it. I could only think of Ecclesiastes, especially 7:2-5:
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
In the midst of the pain, however, there is Hope. The theme of prayer runs throughout the album. Mo’s plea in “Pray for My Home”, in which he asks us to pray for his child, his wife, his friends, and the poor is convicting. While I want people to pray for me, how willing am I to return the favor? The song, “Watch and Pray” picks up where the title track left off: So I turn now to higher things and seek my solace there. The storm has made of orphans kings when they return to prayer.
My current favorite song is “The Ditch,” mostly for its abrupt ending of grace. The man in the story is surprised to find himself in the ditch. He’s abandoned by his friends, he’s helpless to get up even though he tries, and he is bleeding internally though continuing to feed his dark (and hidden) sin. The man has descended into hell.
The picture gets worse and then God intervenes:
Poisonous tears from an embittered face Darker the fears from a darkening place But startled by light that broke from above Startled within by a vision of love
So what’s next for Mo Leverett? Phase One, the Desire Street Ministries phase, is behind him. At least, it is as behind him as it will ever be. God did great things in and through Mo and Ellen and then God shut the door. Phase Two, the Rebirth International era of Mo Leverett’s life is beginning.
God used Mo to teach and inspire many of us who serve as pastors and teachers, even as Mo was God’s tool to reach into a pocket of poverty and draw people to Himself. I can only hope, pray, imagine, expect, celebrate, and anticipate that God will take this version of Mo Leverett – the one who is older, more tired, mature, wizened, and more dependent on God than ever – to do even greater things. And it will be all the more glorifying to God because Mo will always have the identifying limp of a man who has wrestled with God and has won and lost at the same time.
When will the next album be released? How will it sound? What lessons will be embedded in great-sounding music? That’s up to the Lord. Right now, I’m going to be impacted by this one, and I know you will be, also.
For those who entrusted their trust unto me
May they turn around now and trust only Thee
And help me to learn how to patiently wait
And see the return of reward and estate
Review by Pastor Dave Hutchinson
Pastor of Christ the Shepherd Church, Danbury CT There is one thing I have come to expect from any new recording by Mo Leverett: it will be both honest and authentic, filtered through current life experience. It will be grounded in reality which means that there will be more grit than just a tip-of-the-cap to the ugliness of life. There will also be heavy doses of hope in a Mo Leverett recording, because Mo’s Reality is grounded in the God for whom “hope” is a household word.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:13).
The 2005 offering, Blades of Love, (Mo’s seventh album) was accurately described as “Mo’s most optimistic record yet.” It mirrored the life and ministry of a man who was basking in the Lord’s blessing. Nearly two decades of risk-taking, heartache, faithfulness, goal-setting, goal-achieving, people-investing, and hard work was paying off. Mo Leverett’s life’s work, the ministry to the poor of New Orleans, was successful by all accounts – new facilities, new school, new athletic fields. Ministry convergence! The pieces falling into place! Most importantly, lives were being transformed. A lost generation had been found! Not only that, but God was using the work in New Orleans to inspire others to step out and take their own risks in their own cities among those formerly forgotten people in pockets of poverty. Mo was an Influencer, an Inspiration.
Then came Hurricane Katrina.
The city was flooded, the people were scattered – and Mo seemingly dropped off the face of the earth.
What had happened? People who had prayed for the Leverett family wondered what they would look like (if and) when they resurfaced. Many imagined we could relate to what Mo was going through – the grief of losing loved-ones, of the devastation of ministry buildings that had been painstakingly constructed, of losing a home, of losing every single possession in that home (a line in one of the ministry updates about the loss of Ellen’s collection of earrings that had commemorated every anniversary was poignant). We imagined that we felt the same pain that Mo was experiencing. It turns out we were wrong. The only person feeling that level of desperation and hopelessness was the one actually walking through it at the time – and the One walking through it with him.
In Of Orphans and Kings we get an album to tell us Mo’s story of the past two years. It doesn’t tell us every detail of Mo’s life but it tells us what we need to know and it gives us a point of reference for our own struggles. Of Orphans and Kings was nearly named Like Hell Inside. A little time spent with the album reveals why it was such a tough decision between these two potential titles. (I’m glad that Of Orphans and Kings won out – the worst is behind and God is moving Mo forward.)
Musically, this is what one would expect from a Mo Leverett album. Like other craftsmen, from The Innocence Mission, to James Taylor, to John Hiatt, to the late Rich Mullins, you know what you’re getting – a few but not a lot of musical surprises, because with Mo’s music there’s something better. A conversation with an old friend who has a new tale to tell. Mo is not going to musically “weird out” on his long-time listeners. What we get is a well-organized, with great musicianship (including backing vocals from the great Ashley Cleveland), collection of songs – a body of work – that demands to be heard several times for the themes to work their way into the listener’s soul. This is not a made-for-iTunes album where one can lift a favorite song or two out of their context and throw them into some randomly generated “music mix.” It’s an album that tells a story. What sets this album apart from its predecessors is not the music, which is reliably good and listenable. Rather, the most jarring thing about this album is that the lyrical content is even more personal and disturbing than the pictures of the Desire Street neighborhood that Mo painted on prior albums.
Picture yourself by a comforting fireplace, sitting down to have a conversation with an old friend whom you haven’t seen for awhile, looking forward to a familiar conversation. You’re expecting to enjoy the conversation, to be challenged theologically and practically, to listen and to be heard…. And you’re eager for the hours ahead because you know what’s in store; it’s the kind of conversation that you don’t get to have often enough.
It starts on that familiar note – “Thank You Lord.” And you nod your head and you think, “Yes, there’s a lot for which to be thankful. Thank you, Mo, for reminding me to be thankful to the Lord for being my shelter. Yes, I’m thankful that the Lord saved my life. Yes, I’m thankful for the family the Lord gave me. Etc. Etc. Etc.”
All of a sudden, however, the conversation takes an unexpected turn and you sit up and listen. You lose track of time and your coffee gets cold as your mind is forced to process phrases like these:
…walls collapsing in….
…men with masks and rubber gloves were claiming all I’d lost…..
…the commotion and rage inside of me….
…when a hole up in that levee blows a hole up in your heart….
…Do you know how it feels to wound those you love, to wound them and then to wipe up their blood?
…Do you know how it feels to give up your power for vapors and mists that fade in an hour?
…never thought friends would abandon him there and leave without words or even a prayer….
…poisonous tears from an embittered face….
…I’ve lost everything I worked to keep….
And you keep listening even though a part of you would rather not hear what you’re being told. You’d like to give advice or interrupt the flow of pain by giving consolation. You’d like to lambaste those who left your friend in the ditch. You’d like to protest that you wouldn’t have done that if only you’d known he was in the ditch (at least, you don’t think you would have done that; not intentionally, anyway). But you just keep those thoughts inside your head and you simply listen. You silently pray and you try to learn something about God and pain and suffering and redemption and life. You think, “This could be me someday. No, it will be me. Listen up!”
This album is painful for those who want to dive in and explore it. I could only think of Ecclesiastes, especially 7:2-5:
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
In the midst of the pain, however, there is Hope. The theme of prayer runs throughout the album. Mo’s plea in “Pray for My Home”, in which he asks us to pray for his child, his wife, his friends, and the poor is convicting. While I want people to pray for me, how willing am I to return the favor? The song, “Watch and Pray” picks up where the title track left off: So I turn now to higher things and seek my solace there. The storm has made of orphans kings when they return to prayer.
My current favorite song is “The Ditch,” mostly for its abrupt ending of grace. The man in the story is surprised to find himself in the ditch. He’s abandoned by his friends, he’s helpless to get up even though he tries, and he is bleeding internally though continuing to feed his dark (and hidden) sin. The man has descended into hell.
The picture gets worse and then God intervenes:
Poisonous tears from an embittered face Darker the fears from a darkening place But startled by light that broke from above Startled within by a vision of love
So what’s next for Mo Leverett? Phase One, the Desire Street Ministries phase, is behind him. At least, it is as behind him as it will ever be. God did great things in and through Mo and Ellen and then God shut the door. Phase Two, the Rebirth International era of Mo Leverett’s life is beginning.
God used Mo to teach and inspire many of us who serve as pastors and teachers, even as Mo was God’s tool to reach into a pocket of poverty and draw people to Himself. I can only hope, pray, imagine, expect, celebrate, and anticipate that God will take this version of Mo Leverett – the one who is older, more tired, mature, wizened, and more dependent on God than ever – to do even greater things. And it will be all the more glorifying to God because Mo will always have the identifying limp of a man who has wrestled with God and has won and lost at the same time.
When will the next album be released? How will it sound? What lessons will be embedded in great-sounding music? That’s up to the Lord. Right now, I’m going to be impacted by this one, and I know you will be, also.
For those who entrusted their trust unto me
May they turn around now and trust only Thee
And help me to learn how to patiently wait
And see the return of reward and estate
Saturday, August 11, 2007
God Changes Lives at Clark Football Camp
I had the privilege to work alongside the coaches at Clark High School this past week to put on an excellent camp for the Clark High School football team. In addition to 3 full practices a day in over 100 degree heat, the boys endured and enjoyed Bible Studies in the evening which resulted in many conversions and commitments to Christian discipleship.
While football is important in the lives of these young men, they learned so much more than x’s and o’s during this week. They learned that God’s love for them knows no bounds, that He made a way for their salvation through the sacrafice of Jesus, that life is sweeter when seeking out what is pleasing to God and that He has a plan to prosper them in every way. Thanks to those who helped support this cause!
While we were able to hustle a few generous contributions for the camp, the most interesting and exciting gift came from a former student and staffmate of mine. As you may know, Greg Jacobs, who we had the privilege of discipling and hiring at Desire Street, is now a succesful entrepreneur and restauranteur. We are grateful for his signficant contribution of $1,200 toward the summer camp! It is especially gratifying that Greg is leveraging our ministry in his life to be a source of blessing in the next-generational lives of others.
Bible Studies will continue into the Fall with these boys and we would greatly appreciate your ongoing support as we replicate core ministry programs in this school and its surrounding neighborhood.
You may also pray for the provision of a ministry van as we are carting the young people around town at present in our personal vehicles.
Again thank you for your prayers and support. Many of these young men will now have the opportunity and privilege to spend eternity expressing gratitude for your generosity.
While football is important in the lives of these young men, they learned so much more than x’s and o’s during this week. They learned that God’s love for them knows no bounds, that He made a way for their salvation through the sacrafice of Jesus, that life is sweeter when seeking out what is pleasing to God and that He has a plan to prosper them in every way. Thanks to those who helped support this cause!
While we were able to hustle a few generous contributions for the camp, the most interesting and exciting gift came from a former student and staffmate of mine. As you may know, Greg Jacobs, who we had the privilege of discipling and hiring at Desire Street, is now a succesful entrepreneur and restauranteur. We are grateful for his signficant contribution of $1,200 toward the summer camp! It is especially gratifying that Greg is leveraging our ministry in his life to be a source of blessing in the next-generational lives of others.
Bible Studies will continue into the Fall with these boys and we would greatly appreciate your ongoing support as we replicate core ministry programs in this school and its surrounding neighborhood.
You may also pray for the provision of a ministry van as we are carting the young people around town at present in our personal vehicles.
Again thank you for your prayers and support. Many of these young men will now have the opportunity and privilege to spend eternity expressing gratitude for your generosity.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Rebirth Moving Forward on City-Wide Vision in New Orleans!
While Katrina did more damage than it is healthy for me to think about at the moment, she also has created new opportunities for the gospel. Please pray for me as I begin to plow ahead in seizing some of those opportunities in the coming months. Pray that God would glorify Himself through the feeble sacrifices of a humble servant.
We are moving forward with a city-wide vision to plant the core urban ministry programs we established in the Desire neighborhood many years ago in other neighborhoods throughout the city. We are hoping to be able to rehire some of our previous indigenous leaders who will emulate my coaching and youth ministry exploits in other high schools in the city. While we’re unsettled entirely on the leadership construct for a new church, we have decided that a new church is needed. We are asking for your prayers and support in the coming months as we in earnest re-enter the devils turf.
Already, some of those indigenous leaders have started a new work at Clark High School in New Orleans. Young men and women have already made decisions to follow Christ. We are constructing a tutoring program for the fall and will partner with the football coaches to execute a combination two-a-day and Christian football camp in the next couple of weeks. I have been asked to coach special teams for Clark and so will be laboring alongside and underneath the leadership we led to Christ many years ago. It has been refreshing to be out on the football field again working with the kickers. It’s been encouraging to see that though I’m old, overweight and out of shape that I still can punt a football a good piece down the field. (I’m getting it together in case the Saints need me sometime this season!) Even more encouraging though is that I am able in small ways to help the next generation of youth from our beleaguered city realize their potential in life through Christ. It’s good to be out there again.
As one preacher said from the pulpit just the other day, “This whole Christianity thing is a Holy Spirit production…I’m just thankful that the Lord gave to me a speaking part!” I too am thankful to be out on the front lines again in a Holy Spirit production.
My Fall schedule is almost completely full. You can check out our calendar of events on the website to keep track with my travel plans. We will release my new CD, Of Orphans and Kings, in the Fall. However, you can download the music directly from our music website. The project will give you a window into how the Lord has worked in my life over the past number of months after Katrina and hopefully inspire you to remember the One who has made Kings from Orphans. It also gives you a tangible way to invest in our new work.
Ellen and I and the kids are well. We are working hard to build the infrastructure for a new movement, to raise the support necessary to do so and to discern with clarity the Lord’s precise call and vision for our future. We are so thankful for our partners in this. Please stay in touch with us. Every note of encouragement and word of support achieves its desired end.
Thanks again for your partnership!
We are moving forward with a city-wide vision to plant the core urban ministry programs we established in the Desire neighborhood many years ago in other neighborhoods throughout the city. We are hoping to be able to rehire some of our previous indigenous leaders who will emulate my coaching and youth ministry exploits in other high schools in the city. While we’re unsettled entirely on the leadership construct for a new church, we have decided that a new church is needed. We are asking for your prayers and support in the coming months as we in earnest re-enter the devils turf.
Already, some of those indigenous leaders have started a new work at Clark High School in New Orleans. Young men and women have already made decisions to follow Christ. We are constructing a tutoring program for the fall and will partner with the football coaches to execute a combination two-a-day and Christian football camp in the next couple of weeks. I have been asked to coach special teams for Clark and so will be laboring alongside and underneath the leadership we led to Christ many years ago. It has been refreshing to be out on the football field again working with the kickers. It’s been encouraging to see that though I’m old, overweight and out of shape that I still can punt a football a good piece down the field. (I’m getting it together in case the Saints need me sometime this season!) Even more encouraging though is that I am able in small ways to help the next generation of youth from our beleaguered city realize their potential in life through Christ. It’s good to be out there again.
As one preacher said from the pulpit just the other day, “This whole Christianity thing is a Holy Spirit production…I’m just thankful that the Lord gave to me a speaking part!” I too am thankful to be out on the front lines again in a Holy Spirit production.
My Fall schedule is almost completely full. You can check out our calendar of events on the website to keep track with my travel plans. We will release my new CD, Of Orphans and Kings, in the Fall. However, you can download the music directly from our music website. The project will give you a window into how the Lord has worked in my life over the past number of months after Katrina and hopefully inspire you to remember the One who has made Kings from Orphans. It also gives you a tangible way to invest in our new work.
Ellen and I and the kids are well. We are working hard to build the infrastructure for a new movement, to raise the support necessary to do so and to discern with clarity the Lord’s precise call and vision for our future. We are so thankful for our partners in this. Please stay in touch with us. Every note of encouragement and word of support achieves its desired end.
Thanks again for your partnership!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Urgent Need for Clark High School Team Ministry
Richard Johnson and the Clark High School football coaching staff will be taking their team to camp Aug. 6-11 in Slidell, La. The coaching staff along with Mo Leverett and Sam Rauschenberg will be leading around 20 football players in athletic, spiritual and educational development.
These guys need your help both in prayer and financially. A suggested donation of $150 will send one person to camp. To contribute to their own fundraising efforts, please mail a check to the address below.
Rebirth International
PO Box 62600
Dept 1395
New Orleans, LA 70162
These guys need your help both in prayer and financially. A suggested donation of $150 will send one person to camp. To contribute to their own fundraising efforts, please mail a check to the address below.
Rebirth International
PO Box 62600
Dept 1395
New Orleans, LA 70162
Sunday, July 22, 2007
New Orleans Neighborhood Church Needs Help with Construction Cost
I’m sitting in a church within the 9th Ward of New Orleans enjoying worship with about 50 to 60 of my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We are sitting in a recently repaired flood damaged church but with no air conditioning. They have opened their doors again. The pastor is a friend of mine and a man of great integrity with a heart of evangelism and discipleship. The cost to repair their air conditioning system is $9,000. Would you consider whether the Lord has called you to be a source of blessing to your brothers and sisters in Christ here in this place of spiritual rebirth.
Let me know if the Lord would have you join Ellen and myself to be a source of blessing and rebirth in the life of this precious Christian fellowship.
Let me know if the Lord would have you join Ellen and myself to be a source of blessing and rebirth in the life of this precious Christian fellowship.
Friday, July 6, 2007
First Review of Orphans and Kings
Here is a short review of Mo’s newest CD which is available for download at http://www.justiceroad.com/.
“The soul, struggle and hope on this record is truly astonishing. Mo’s been making good music for a long time, but this is by far his finest work yet. It is a disturbing and inspiring bit of Americana, with musical and lyrical stains from the waters of New Orleans and vocals as rich and guttural as anything I’ve heard this year. If Nick Cave, John Hiatt, Pierce Pettis and Mark Heard had spent the last seventeen years serving the poor in the deep south I can’t imagine them coming up with a batch of songs any better than these.” John J. Thompson, Gyroscope Arts
“The soul, struggle and hope on this record is truly astonishing. Mo’s been making good music for a long time, but this is by far his finest work yet. It is a disturbing and inspiring bit of Americana, with musical and lyrical stains from the waters of New Orleans and vocals as rich and guttural as anything I’ve heard this year. If Nick Cave, John Hiatt, Pierce Pettis and Mark Heard had spent the last seventeen years serving the poor in the deep south I can’t imagine them coming up with a batch of songs any better than these.” John J. Thompson, Gyroscope Arts
Monday, May 28, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
What I Love about Jesus? Part II
His attraction to my infection
I was born of the same stuff that is common to all of us who come crying into this harsh world. Like you and everyone else on this planet, I am flesh and blood - vulnerable and exposed, fallen and depraved. Even in my adulthood, I carry the frailties and fears of a wounded child. Like everyone else, that which has become the exterior of my adult life is a cracked shell. Inwardly I am still the child startled by the sharp coldness of this strange awakening.
And have you ever noticed that most people are more attracted to you when your cracks are covered and unexposed. We all know that cracked shells are endimic to humanity, but we nevertheless cover them so that no one will discover what they attest in principle to already know. I come from a movement and community that celebrates grace as a soteriological concept and theological postulate. We celebrate grace in the macro. But when the opportunity is afforded to us to turn this theory into practice, we revert to a previous principle of condemning cracks in others and covering up our own.
Though I am incredibly grateful to the church for gifting to me the gospel, one thing that has always confused me is this point. As a young person it was the practice of everyone, to the point of cultural pervasiveness, to dress up for church. I remember how awkward it was for me to be wearing shoes that didn’t fit, clothes that didn’t match and ties that were outdated by a generation just to satisfy this cultural requirement. It is still the common practice of most churches - this covering of our cracks - this attempt to look deceptively attractive, even though inwardly we are intensely aware of our insidious shortcomings.
Let’s face it. The church is not always a safe place for people with problems. The church is not always a safe place to uncover our spiritual nakedness and own and confess our hidden struggles. Actually it has become for many a place to pretend.
Jesus, on the other hand is not like that. On the contrary, he pursues intimacy with us precisely because of the cracks in our shell. When all have abandoned us in our state of shame, Jesus tends. When we are consumed with infection, he visits us. When we have lost all attractiveness, then He is attracted.
Though my memories do not carry me back this far, when I was a baby, my mother has reported to me later of a serious illness that threatened my short life. I was given medication that my infant body was not ready for. Almost immediately my muscles contracted, my eyes rolled back, my blood pressure spiked. Full of fever, my limbs contorted and though I had not been in the world but a short season, I was on the razor’s edge of death.
I can only imagine the frantic scene. Scurrying doctors and nurses barking orders of medical intervention. Pushing parents to wait in isolated quarters. Having four precious children of my own now, I know that if I had faced the same circumstance with one of my own lambs, my heart would have become overwhelmed with the category of fear that we only experience in the absolute darkest and most desperate of times.
My mother tenderly conveyed that during the crisis, my Father refused to let go of me. I could not be pried from His strong arms. Whatever it was that the hospital staff needed to do with me, simply had to be done while my father held me. What inspired such dramatic devotion is not altogether clear to me.
My father died when I was 15. And it is rare to recall a similar episode in my conscious state as a child. I rarely recall being held in my father’s arms, receiving his extended embrace, hearing his clear affirmations and knowing his healing affections. Whatever it was that held him back - fear, insecurity, or deprivation in his own childhood - I do not know, but I now take courage from my mother’s stories. And the deprivation has made me to have a deep and unmistakable longing both to receive and to give a father’s love. Moreover, it has caused there to be a cavernous hole which can only be filled with the love of my heavenly Father - the One who is passionate for the healing and salvation of my soul.
What I love about Jesus is that He willingly offered Himself to be pierced, bruised and broken to fill those holes of desperation in my life. He brought the loving enduring embrace of the Father to me and to all my orphaned brothers and sisters who want nothing more than to experience mercy and love from our Father. He said clearly, that He is in the Father, and the Father is in Him. Anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father. I have only heard of this love through biblical stories. The love of my heavenly Father is veiled in time and space but is strangely apparent through the spectacles of faith. And though I have not seen Him, He nevertheless reaches out to me. And though I have not felt his touch, I one day will. Until such time, He has promised to never let go of me, no matter what illness invades my soul, no matter what disfigurement becomes of me…no matter…there is no one powerful enough to pry me of his perpetual embrace.
That’s why I love Jesus. It is His confounding attraction to my infection. And there is great healing dispensed in His promise never to let go of me. He clings until I am completely healed, restored and assured of His eternal affection! Wow, what a Savior! What amazes me most is that we would ever resist Him or to project an image that we have no need of Him.
Wounded Flower
Mo Leverett
April 19, 2006 Elkhart, Texas
God defends His orphaned sons
and tends to all the injured ones
the more the shame, then more the care
that He distributes softly there
Thick the walls we form and raise
steeped in self-protective ways
infantiled and sulked within
like a child beneath the skin
Arms will speed from secret space
reaching toward our barren place
hidden holes where hope was hushed
deep where dignity was crushed
Lost and cold and desperate there
something sacred coming where
Wounded hands reach out to ours
opening like a wounded flower
Hands will raise us to our feet
fill our hearts with holy heat
lifting us toward heightened place
gifting us with stores of grace
Slowly changed and soon restored
mercies on our souls are poured
lavished love falls on the grieved
burdened hearts will be relieved.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
What I Love about Jesus?
The Christian Tradition of the Unconventional
One of the things I love most about Jesus, and there is much to draw from on this issue, is His approach to choice-making. Let’s be honest. Nearly every choice He made flew in the face of conventional wisdom – beginning with the decision to become human and thus take on our various disfigurements. The infinite, immortal and invisible God choosing to become one of us is akin to Bill Gates shedding all privilege, prestige and economic power, moving into a cardboard box in the slums of India in hopes to advance the cause of Microsoft – it makes no sense.
Choosing a mostly uneducated, rough and unimpressive group of working class men as the ambassadors of your newly launched international movement – makes no sense. Choosing to offend the powerful and empower the weak – makes no sense. Choosing to avoid the elite and yet invite the bum – makes no sense. Choosing to embrace the leper and confront the lawyer – makes no sense. Choosing your greatest persecutor as the leader of your missionary movement– makes no sense. At every turn he surprises us. At every turn he confounds us. At every turn he offends us.
This is partly why followers of Jesus, when we really are following Jesus, are called fools. When we launch something in the name of Jesus, not only should it look different from every other human initiative, it should naturally offend our innate sense of conventional wisdom and better judgment. His ways are clearly not ours.
When, for instance, in our modern day church, do we embrace HIV patients because they value both their falleness and ours? When do we make recovering alcoholics elders over our people because of their unique perspective on grace? How often do we establish former prostitutes or strippers as leaders over our women’s ministries because of their recovered capacity for true intimacy? When do we target for ministry the most offensive, beguiled and socially outcast and then ascribe to them the labels of light of the world and salt of the earth, much less invite them to our churches? Yet this is precisely what Jesus did. That is His tradition.
But then Jesus’ finest offense was the cross. When He elevated himself in utter humiliation for our sake, he confounds us. Yes, I know the cross is the emblem and banner of our movement. We cover it with carets of gold and wear it around our necks. But it was among the most despicable scenes in human history – and rarely as a principle is it imitated – not even in our circles. In its essence it is redemptive and beautiful. In its self-sacrificing essence it also offends our gross tendency toward self-absorption. In its meekness and gentle willingness to suffer it offends our instinctive need for self-preservation and self-defense.
This is why we should not seek to run our ministries or churches on proven business strategies or principles, or other worldly frames of reference. I don’t mean here that money should be managed inefficiently out from under professional accountability. And I don’t mean that ministries have nothing to learn from the business community. I only mean to suggest that the choices we make should be guided more by the unique frame of reference that directed Jesus’ choice-making. I don’t blame Christian businessmen for running their businesses on established workable theories of management. But I do warn them against establishing those principles as the appropriate philosophy of Christ’s church or mission. Frankly, the underpinnings of business and that of the church are not altogether the same.
More than anything else, the choice that Christ made which confounds me the most is this: His choice of me. Why? Why, after so many offenses, after so many failures, after so many painfully present personal flaws, would Christ choose me?
Of all the biblical figures I relate to the most, the leper seems most befitting. There are times when I would serve the public best by wearing a bell around my neck announcing my coming. Ring, ring…here comes a man who wounds…ring, ring…here comes a man with issues…ring, ring…here comes a man who offends…ring, ring…here comes a complicated man…ring, ring…here comes a dangerously difficult man…ring, ring…ring, ring…ring.
Or there are times when the tax collector in the tree is the better analogy. No, I’m not good with numbers like he is, but why in the crowd of so many, would Christ choose someone who has made a living on personal demands, manipulations and exploitations? Why would he come to our home? And dine at our table? And laugh at our jokes? And passionately love when the only thing we do well is imperfection.
Or maybe the former prostitute, Mary Magdalene is more analogous. I, like her, have reasons to be despised, reasons to be debunked, reasons to be defaced, reasons to be disgraced. And yet here He is, before me, receiving my tears, fears and twisted affections. Or maybe I’m like Paul, the chief of sinners. Or like Peter, the consummate foot in the mouth disciple. Or like Thomas, doubting. There are many other comparisons that could be made, and with them all there are 2 things we share in common – (1) our total depravity and (2) against all conventional wisdom, His choice. Against all conventional wisdom, He chose me and also the likes of me!
And so pray for me that in response I might follow in His tradition and make choices which are utterly unconventional. Pray for me that I too might be a fool. Pray that I might offend, as He did.
That’d be Jesus
Mo Leverett
November 7, 2006
Who from lofty sacred throne
Came as humble and alone
To the poor to give increase
To the slave to grant release?
Where to seek when all we crave
is an escort from the grave
Who gives life when death consumes
who gives rebirth in the tomb?
That’d be Jesus
Who has shared his holy seat
With the orphan from the street
Who has made deliverance free
And offers it eternally?
Who makes homeless sons a place
wounded children sacred space
Who puts rebels in a trance
Granting them their second chance?
That’d be Jesus
Who can satisfy the thirst
Of beggars then and make them first
Who can take the child recoiled
And give him bread that never spoils?
Who was here before the winds
and to broken souls attends
Who for pleasure does pursue
The likes of those like me and you?
That’d be Jesus!
One of the things I love most about Jesus, and there is much to draw from on this issue, is His approach to choice-making. Let’s be honest. Nearly every choice He made flew in the face of conventional wisdom – beginning with the decision to become human and thus take on our various disfigurements. The infinite, immortal and invisible God choosing to become one of us is akin to Bill Gates shedding all privilege, prestige and economic power, moving into a cardboard box in the slums of India in hopes to advance the cause of Microsoft – it makes no sense.
Choosing a mostly uneducated, rough and unimpressive group of working class men as the ambassadors of your newly launched international movement – makes no sense. Choosing to offend the powerful and empower the weak – makes no sense. Choosing to avoid the elite and yet invite the bum – makes no sense. Choosing to embrace the leper and confront the lawyer – makes no sense. Choosing your greatest persecutor as the leader of your missionary movement– makes no sense. At every turn he surprises us. At every turn he confounds us. At every turn he offends us.
This is partly why followers of Jesus, when we really are following Jesus, are called fools. When we launch something in the name of Jesus, not only should it look different from every other human initiative, it should naturally offend our innate sense of conventional wisdom and better judgment. His ways are clearly not ours.
When, for instance, in our modern day church, do we embrace HIV patients because they value both their falleness and ours? When do we make recovering alcoholics elders over our people because of their unique perspective on grace? How often do we establish former prostitutes or strippers as leaders over our women’s ministries because of their recovered capacity for true intimacy? When do we target for ministry the most offensive, beguiled and socially outcast and then ascribe to them the labels of light of the world and salt of the earth, much less invite them to our churches? Yet this is precisely what Jesus did. That is His tradition.
But then Jesus’ finest offense was the cross. When He elevated himself in utter humiliation for our sake, he confounds us. Yes, I know the cross is the emblem and banner of our movement. We cover it with carets of gold and wear it around our necks. But it was among the most despicable scenes in human history – and rarely as a principle is it imitated – not even in our circles. In its essence it is redemptive and beautiful. In its self-sacrificing essence it also offends our gross tendency toward self-absorption. In its meekness and gentle willingness to suffer it offends our instinctive need for self-preservation and self-defense.
This is why we should not seek to run our ministries or churches on proven business strategies or principles, or other worldly frames of reference. I don’t mean here that money should be managed inefficiently out from under professional accountability. And I don’t mean that ministries have nothing to learn from the business community. I only mean to suggest that the choices we make should be guided more by the unique frame of reference that directed Jesus’ choice-making. I don’t blame Christian businessmen for running their businesses on established workable theories of management. But I do warn them against establishing those principles as the appropriate philosophy of Christ’s church or mission. Frankly, the underpinnings of business and that of the church are not altogether the same.
More than anything else, the choice that Christ made which confounds me the most is this: His choice of me. Why? Why, after so many offenses, after so many failures, after so many painfully present personal flaws, would Christ choose me?
Of all the biblical figures I relate to the most, the leper seems most befitting. There are times when I would serve the public best by wearing a bell around my neck announcing my coming. Ring, ring…here comes a man who wounds…ring, ring…here comes a man with issues…ring, ring…here comes a man who offends…ring, ring…here comes a complicated man…ring, ring…here comes a dangerously difficult man…ring, ring…ring, ring…ring.
Or there are times when the tax collector in the tree is the better analogy. No, I’m not good with numbers like he is, but why in the crowd of so many, would Christ choose someone who has made a living on personal demands, manipulations and exploitations? Why would he come to our home? And dine at our table? And laugh at our jokes? And passionately love when the only thing we do well is imperfection.
Or maybe the former prostitute, Mary Magdalene is more analogous. I, like her, have reasons to be despised, reasons to be debunked, reasons to be defaced, reasons to be disgraced. And yet here He is, before me, receiving my tears, fears and twisted affections. Or maybe I’m like Paul, the chief of sinners. Or like Peter, the consummate foot in the mouth disciple. Or like Thomas, doubting. There are many other comparisons that could be made, and with them all there are 2 things we share in common – (1) our total depravity and (2) against all conventional wisdom, His choice. Against all conventional wisdom, He chose me and also the likes of me!
And so pray for me that in response I might follow in His tradition and make choices which are utterly unconventional. Pray for me that I too might be a fool. Pray that I might offend, as He did.
That’d be Jesus
Mo Leverett
November 7, 2006
Who from lofty sacred throne
Came as humble and alone
To the poor to give increase
To the slave to grant release?
Where to seek when all we crave
is an escort from the grave
Who gives life when death consumes
who gives rebirth in the tomb?
That’d be Jesus
Who has shared his holy seat
With the orphan from the street
Who has made deliverance free
And offers it eternally?
Who makes homeless sons a place
wounded children sacred space
Who puts rebels in a trance
Granting them their second chance?
That’d be Jesus
Who can satisfy the thirst
Of beggars then and make them first
Who can take the child recoiled
And give him bread that never spoils?
Who was here before the winds
and to broken souls attends
Who for pleasure does pursue
The likes of those like me and you?
That’d be Jesus!
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