Mastering the Art of Pressing On

Today, I’m sporting a T-shirt designed by my beautiful daughter Maggie - who, along with her sister Lacey, is my world’s favorite artist! It has a beautifully crafted rendition of our ministry name - Rebirth International - on the front, along with a wooden cross and spiraling vine. On the back it has our website clearly spelled out - www.myrebirth.org, along with her personal recommendation - GET INVOLVED!

Trust me if you saw it, you would be inspired by Maggie’s mature artistry. And if you had the privilege of knowing my Mags-a-million you would be equally inspired by the artistry of her sheer determination.

I wear it with pride. It represents more than naturally proud father sentiments. It also symbolizes the level of support I’ve enjoyed from this amazing family that I husband and father.

I remember the first economic downturn we endured. It was right after we built a $3 million facility across from the Desire Projects. Our budget tripled, as did our staff. Opportunities were bursting at the seams. There was more than we could handle - more than we could afford.

I knew of many other ministries that went under or were in the risk of doing so. We were vulnerable too. At the end of the summer I was staring at a $200,000 deficit.

I had two undesirable choices - either drastically cut staff and programs or hustle. I chose to hustle.

I remember coming home and sheepishly looking at my wife, telling her, “Honey, I need to travel.” What that meant was that I was needing to travel more - almost perpetually - that every invitation would be accepted - no opportunity ignored. I was determined. Our ministry was not going under, not if I had anything to do with it. Nor would any of my staff lose their jobs.

I’m now in the middle of our second major economic downturn. Everyone is hurting - feeling the pinch. I know that. Frankly, though I’m not an economist, I feel this one may last longer and cut more deeply than the first. So what’s a guy who’s committed his life to developing ministry among the poor to do?

We have now consulted with ministries and churches all across the eastern U.S. We are looking to launch new ministries along the I-10 and I-55 corridors - E. St. Louis, New Orleans, Mobile, Tallahasse, Orlando and more. We are connecting with my alma mater - Reformed Theological Seminary - around a partnership to prepare future urban missionaries for the unique task before them. There is a lot of opportunity. But there’s a shortage of funds.

Nevertheless we endure and press on. I am hustling. But I’m not willing to become the road hog I once was.

I am pursuing alternative possibilities for creatively funding the Rebirth vision. I’m not sure how the Lord is leading, but I’m listening and looking.

Despite the shortfalls, my sweet family is doing amazingly well. Ellen is a woman of tremendous faith and long-suffering - a woman of tremendous stature - despite her 5 foot frame. My children are, simply put, the best Christians I know.

I am thankful.

I watched my daughter Lindsay play in the championship game in her fast-pitch softball league last night. You’ll never see anyone more attractively determined than my Dee Dee Brown (one of her Daddy’s favorite nicknames for her - there are more). Whether she is running after overthrown balls, sliding into bases or swinging for the fences, I realize that my daughter Lindsay, like her sister Maggie, has been cursed with her Daddy’s DNA. She’s also learned, for better or worse, from my example. We all have reduced drive and determination to an art form.

And so the Leverett’s are pressing on. We are encouraging others to get involved - hopefully in the most artistic of ways!