Pray for Rebirth

Rebirth International is an organization in a launch mode. We are still raising the awareness of our work to the general Christian community. And we are developing a new donor base.

Our purpose is to advance urban ministry initiatives in pockets of poverty stateside and worldwide. In service to that vision we are focusing on three primary objectives: 1) REVIVING indigenous ministry in post-Katrina New Orleans; 2) RESOURCING the church in urban ministry consultation services; and 3) REPLICATING incarnational ministry in specifically targeted communities across the country.

God has been faithful. After barely a year and a half in existence, we have consulted with churches and ministries across the country, and have thus contributed in a variety of ways, in a number of cities to the advancement of God’s cause among the poor. I have taught and spoken at colleges from North Florida College to Yale University. I have taught and spoken at seminaries including Reformed and Covenant.

I have performed dozens of concerts, produced a new CD, with others in the oven. God continues to use my music to keep the vision of Rebirth before the next generation of followers of Christ. Many who will make up the army of recruits for the future, will be reached through this vital aspect of my ongoing ministry.

Our ministry of Replication is well on the way. I have decided to narrow my focus initially to the I-10 and I-55 corridors. This Phase I focus will allow me to inspire the development of ministries from Jacksonville to Los Angeles and from New Orleans to Chicago. Already there are two ministries in the hopper and other interested parties scattered throughout these intersecting highways.

We have successfully recruited a highly gifted couple, Shane and Kristen Fast, to launch an incarnational work in one of the most challenged urban areas of our country: East St. Louis. We will continue to support and under gird this work in prayer and urban ministry coaching all along the way. We are on the front end of working with a potential couple to launch a new work in the Prichard community of North Mobile - another leading community of need in the Deep South.

The New Orleans staff of Rebirth, or REBIRTH ORLEANS, are not only working diligently to help give foundation to a widening and expansive movement, but we are also relaunching work here in our city, which still lies in ruin. We have started a strategic outreach in Clark High School and intend to expand our outreach into other resurgent public high schools. We are praying about God’s timing to plant a local church.

Our present staff - myself, my lovely wife, Christian Angeletti (who is handling all things financial and administrative), Richard Johnson (who is presently volunteering but giving effective leadership to the Clark outreach) are fully committed to the task at hand. I have a solid board of indigenous leaders and I’m working on finding Trustees for the cause. There are many others who are willing to join staff and help.

And while it is a sheer miracle to have not only survived during this time, but to thrive in advancing urban ministry, Rebirth is nevertheless sorely under-funded. I’m traveling as much as my heart and present circumstances will allow. As soon as I am done writing this blog, I will be driving to Tallahassee to do a concert and some further consulting, and then to Orlando to do the same. This trip will hopefully inject some much needed resources into our coffers, raise awareness of the vision of Rebirth and widen the network of friends for Rebirth.

Please pray for us. As we consider new strategies for developing the resources for this work, would you also consider how God might lead you to help us in that effort. If all that you are able to do is to buy a few CD’s to give out to friends, along with the gift of an accompanying Rebirth brochure and a note from you, this might help considerably. (I do have plenty of CD’s to sell!)

We believe in what we are doing. I know you do too! We’re seeing God’s hand at work. And we are thankful to be in service to Him for His glory!

Pray for the success of my upcoming trip and pray for my most ardent supporters and partners - my sweet wife and amazing children.

Many blessings…