Ministry Update 1/8

Dear Friends,

We’ve had an exciting year of ministry development, consulting and replication - thanks to you. I’ve taken a little break from developing the ‘08 plan to write this letter of thanks to you for your significant contribution to our successful first year of existence. We have the beginnings of a ministry at Clark High School and in the mid-city area of New Orleans. We’re scoping out possible locations for the development of the Center for Rebirth which will house our local ministry initiatives, a church plant and our ministry replication training programs. We are developing significant partnerships in ministry and community development. We’ve assisted many other churches and ministries across the country with training and consultation. Moreover, I’m continuing to travel and advance the principles of urban mission in seminaries and colleges around the country. I should have a new CD coming out in the early part of the year - a compilation of hymns! Ellen and I and the kids are doing well and are excited about continuing in the call that God has placed in our lives. I hope you will pray, support and spread the word about Rebirth in the new year! Again thanks a bundle. I hope to see you all in ‘08!

Yours for the mission of God,
Mo Leverett

Fighting the Good Fight

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

Summer Internship Reinvisioned

After two very significant and successful events - the Weekend Conference in Mobile and the Week-long mini-internship with Campus Outreach from Georgia College - we’ve decided to reenvision our summer internship program. We will no longer be conducting the month-long summer internship that I used to run at Desire Street Ministries. Pray for me as I begin the process of hearing from God on a more efficient way to shape this vital program of Rebirth.
It is now our belief that in the future we will do more for the kingdom by shortening the experience and inviting more participants. We do not have a facility from which to operate the program but believe that the Lord will supply. Feel free to contact me directly regarding this opportunity.

Georgia College Students Make a Big Difference in New Orleans

Spring break. You know the scene. Uninhibited revelry. Youthful self-indulgence. Partying, drinking and girls gone wild! Stop the tape.
Call CNN, Fox News and MTV. It seems there’s a group of young people that are seriously breaking the mold. They are doing unto others, they are loving their neighbor and changing their world.
They rise early and retire late.
They serve others selflessly by gutting flood damaged homes, assisting minority owned small businesses, tutoring inner-city youth and restoring order from chaos by meeting basic administrative and marketing needs of recovering ministries. They paint walls, build furniture, design logos, organize mailings. They awaken to reading the scriptures. They do not retire until they’ve pondered and internalized the hardest sayings of Christ and have considered the lofty character attributes of sacrifice, justice and mercy, redemptive suffering and of charity and love towards those who are poor. They raise their own support from willing donors. They encourage, smile and are grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Wow! If this is the next generation of young Christian leaders…then the church will indeed be in good hands. They have served their college in the most distinguished way. They have represented their college ministry as worthy emmissaries. They have honored their families and their hometowns at heroic levels. They have made us proud. And yet they will defer the credit and hope that their service was used by God for His glory. All I can say is…wow!
I know you will want to join me in honoring their service and in following their example. These 19 students from Georgia College’s Campus Outreach, we salute you and express our heartfelt gratitude!
Sam Rauschenberg - Senior - Economics and Political Science, Dalton, GA

Jason Berl - Senior - Rhetoric, Moultrie, GA

Ashley Bohanon - Senior - Mass Communications and Public Relations, Conyers, GA

Jason Hughes - Junior - Special Education, Lillburn, GA

Richard Kerr - Junior - International Business, LaGrange, GA

Emily Allen - Sophomore - Economics, LaGrange, GA

Elyssa Sanner - Sophomore - English, Evans, GA

Bonnie Kelly - Sophomore - Special Education, Lillburn, GA

Jess Parks - Junior - Art, Lillburn, GA

Katie Woods - Sophomore - Special Education, Kennesaw, GA

Jenny Proffitt - Sophomore - Community Health, Marrietta, GA

Nadirah Ross - Senior - Mass Communications and Public Relations, Sparta, GA

Kat Mann - Junior - Psychology, Macon, GA

Lane Coursey - Freshman - Undeclared, Conyers, GA

Brent Adams - Junior - History, Savannah, GA

Brian McDaniel - Junior - English, Lawrenceville, GA

Lauren Crowley - Freshman - Undeclared, Augusta, GA

Whitney Fee - Sophomore - Mass Communications, Martinez, GA

Kelly Hartman - Graduate - Campus Outreach Staff, Augusta, GA

Where Are They Now?

The children of Desire are now men and women of God. We will post the locations of some of these persons. Keep checking back as we periodically update the list!
Richard Johnson Richard was a key indigenous leader with Desire Street Ministries and his vision for ministry in New Orleans has only increased since Katrina. He has been an effective evangelist and advocate for the priorities of Christ’s Kingdom. Many of the young men of Desire owe their spiritual lives to his faithful ministry at Carver in years past.
Richard and his wife April are living in New Orleans in a formerly flooded home that they are renovating. He has started his own real estate company and is volunteer coaching at McDonough 35 High School with head coach Wayne Reese. We are working with he and April to assist them in launching a new outreach to the boys at McDonough 35 and establishing a ministry in the surrounding community. Please pray for the Johnsons marriage, for their continued recovery from Katrina, for the resources necessary for their exciting new business opportunities and for their continued spiritual pilgrimage.
Kedrick LevyLevy was at the center of almost everything we built at Desire Street in these previous years. He led many young men and women to Christ and became their surrogate father and pastor. He grew to love the Lord, the word and theology and we know the Lord is going to use him in even greater ways in the years to come.
Levy and his wife Nina (of over 11 years) and their four children have stationed themselves in Dallas, TX after Hurricane Katrina. Please pray for them as they settle down and rediscover the purposes of God for them in the years to come.
George Angeletti George was one of the first young men who came to Christ through our ministry in the early days. He was also one of our first staff. Coach George, as he and the kids in the neighborhood prefer to call him, and his wife Shanita and new baby girl Geovanna moved back to New Orleans in January of 2006 after leaving DSM at the turn of the year. George has since launched his own company called Committed Janitorial, LLC. George, as you may remember, was central to our ministry at DSM and is now putting his strong work ethic to some personal and professional reward. George is helping the city rebirth by cleaning up houses and businesses in order that folks can return to business and life as usual.
We are proud of his entrepreneurial efforts and his tenacity to get his life on the best track possible. If you have any need of his services or would just like to renew acquaintance, please contact him directly at (504) 913-8187. He would be overjoyed to hear from you!
Greg JacobsMany of you will remember Greg as the quiet, stablizing and positive force to our team at Desire Street. Greg served as the business manager, athletic coordinator and as a coach within the ministry’s recreational initiatives. Many young people were touched by his quiet, caring but resolute approach. Greg was a real hero on behalf of the children of Desire. He once led a large two-bus-load group of children to a summer camp in Missouri when the bus driver fell asleep at the wheel driving off the side of the road. No one but Greg was injured and even today Greg struggles with a severe back injury even after many surgeries and procedures to attempt to resolve the problem. Moreover Cajoya, Greg’s wife, suffered a broken nose once while trying to break up a fight after a similar summer camp experience. As he and Cajoya had bought a house on the West Bank of New Orleans prior to the storm, they had incurred no flooding as a result of Katrina. Since leaving the staff at DSM, Greg has been active in his church and is working on the entrepreneurial venture of launching a Subway in New Orleans East. We are really proud of Greg’s continued commitment to the city and his entrepreneurial spirit. You may reach him to congratulate him as well at (504) 234-4896.

Have You Been Looking For us?

After Hurricane Katrina many changes have occured in my life and ministry. After helping DSM to survive the devastation and relocate its headquarters and operations, it became necessary for me to do some work and reparations in my own personal life and family after 16 years of ministry in the Desire Community. There are times when unresolved issues and personal neglect catch up with you and require of you a radical self-examination and renewed commitment to spiritual healing and growth. I am very thankful to the board of Desire Street for extending to me the necessary time and support for this process.
Upon returning from my sabbatical the board felt it necessary to take Desire Street Ministries into a new direction and with new leadership, and so with much reluctance, disapointment and sorrow I resigned. I have many fond memories, many valuable experiences and much personal enrichment for the privilege of serving the Desire Community through DSM. I am happy that DSM is continuing its effort after the storm and I am praying that God will bless, preserve and expand its efforts.
I am forming Rebirth International with the intent to continue in the calling of God on my life to present the word and work of the gospel of Christ in New Orleans and beyond. The effort to build an organization from scratch once again was not what I had desired but my family and I still feel passionately called to the revitalization of urban pockets of poverty in New Orleans and world-wide. To that end we have committed ourselves and solicit your continued support.
Will you keep us in your prayers and stay in touch with us as we are continually seeking the will of God in these matters. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to talk further.