It is exciting to be on the faith walk again - seeing God provide - Him confirming new directions in our lives - Him opening new doors - God doing what only He can do.
I’m in Birmingham now after a short flight from St. Louis. Depending on how long the delay out of this airport will be, I should be home around 10:30 or 11:00 pm. I will have a couple of full days in New Orleans before venturing out again for a short trip to Jacksonville, FL.
Our trip to St. Louis was superb. Torey Angeletti was good company as usual - keeping me laughing, supporting my efforts with hard work and interspersed wit and wisdom. I performed and spoke at Covenant Seminary, did a concert at Grace Church and later at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian. I then returned to Grace to preach twice and led Sunday School.
In between those activities we explored with Shane Fast the high poverty areas of East St. Louis. Shane is a campus ministry leader in South Carolina who is considering a call to urban ministry leadership. The city has been in the state of decline even since I last saw it a few years back. Nevertheless, it is an ideal location for a new work. It is a vast community of multi-generational poverty, sprawling housing projects and thousands of young people. Shane was able to get a good initial handle on the city and appears to be increasingly attracted to the prospect of developing an incarnational work there. So we’re excited!
Shane’s interest in urban ministry preceded me. It was fermenting in the environment of college athletics and campus ministry. He then heard me speak at a Campus Outreach conference a few years ago. Later, Shane took the class I taught at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. During the course I mentioned the communities that Rebirth is presently focused on trying to launch a new work. Shane took note. He did some research on East St. Louis and was deeply intrigued. One week later, Shane asked me to take East St. Louis off the board, that city, he said, is his.
So we are now returning from an exploratory visit. We confirmed the statistics with our observations and conversations with locals. There is much openness and much encouragement and support. It is now a matter of concentrated prayer to see if our inclinations are from the Lord.
Much activity is underway in New Orleans and beyond. The vision of Rebirth is being realized one faith step at a time!
Pray for our work in New Orleans. Pray that I might be able to afford to open up a normal office in the city - thus stabilizing our efforts administratively and providing us some central, moderate office and program space.
I’m now back in New Orleans and in the care of my beloved family.
Many blessings to all!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Up the Mississippi for a few days or so...
Up the Mississippi for a few days or so…
- A ministry update of Mo Leverett, March 30, 2008 -
Many thanks to all those who generously helped us through the month of March!
Before heading off on my next set of travels, we will have Bible Study, as always, with the kids from Clark High School in New Orleans on Tuesday evening. There are about 30 or so kids involved in this ministry. Richard Johnson is its leader, who is coaching football and track there, though he has asked me to teach the Bible Study over the last few weeks while I’m in town. He says it’s because I’m good at it, but I know he’s just looking for a break in the action. The Bible Studies are held in Sam Rauschenberg’s house, one block away from the school. (Sam is a teacher at Clark and a volunteer at Rebirth). We normally have burgers or chicken wings from Manchu, (a Chinese hole in the wall restaurant that specializes in wings and chicken fried rice). We of course integrate games but then get serious and explore the implications of grace in justification and sanctification and in all of life.
This Bible Study is a good start to a hopefully growing ministry movement in the resurgent urban schools of New Orleans. You see, pre-Katrina, New Orleans was a study in concentrated poverty around large and rough public housing projects. That poverty is more dispersed now, as the projects are being torn down, but it concentrates during school hours in the Recovery School District (RSD) and other public schools. These are now our target zones. We hope to plant a ministry center in the middle of these schools but have an outreach in each one of them.
One young man who we had led to Christ many years ago called me this past week, and in tears pleaded with me to relaunch the church that was Desire Street Fellowship. Of course that is on our heart. But I have much to do, and I’m finding that my body only allows me to do so much in my forties. When I was in my twenties and thirties, I thought nothing of holding down 4 or 5 full-time jobs, like senior pastor, school head-master, director of development, recording artist and so on and so forth. These days, however, the full-time job of fathering teen-agers forces a particular pace which I’m having to reluctantly submit to.
I will be headed to St. Louis this next week April 3-6 to speak at Covenant Seminary, Grace Presbyterian Church and Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. Joining me will be Torey Angeletti, who we led to Christ in his younger years and who now feels led of God to become a minister. He has become my shadow over the last few weeks, is pleading for mentoring and is assisting me in my efforts. Another gentleman will meet me there as well, who is prayerfully exploring the possibility of becoming an incarnational urban missionary in East St. Louis. Be in prayer for all of us in these regards.
Following my weekend trip to St. Louis, I will fly to North Florida College in Jacksonville on April 9th to do a number of things there too. I really don’t know what all I am doing at most of these sites until about 24 hours or so before the event. But I am the master of quick assessment and adaptation.
So I hope I can count on your prayers this next week for this flurry of activities.
I’m also working on recording a new hymn project that should come out this year. I’m talking to a few friends in Nashville about where to go from here with my whole music thing - there’s some exciting possibilities that we are discussing. Stay tuned.
My family is well. I took Lindsay recently on a three day college tour. She’s excited about at least one good option. We’re working toward placing our other kids in public schools here in New Orleans. Finding a good school that would work for us is like the proverbial needle in the haystack, but we’re trusting God. Our kids have been blessed, despite living in poor neighborhoods, they have been afforded an education that I would not have known how to hope for.
Manning is building forts and making his own weapons of spears, machine guns, bazookas and missile launchers. Again, I become the object of his aggression but I must assume that his way of saying I love you is to imagine a grenade blowing me to smitherines. As best I can I accommodate and accept his destructive affection.
Many blessings to all…
- A ministry update of Mo Leverett, March 30, 2008 -
Many thanks to all those who generously helped us through the month of March!
Before heading off on my next set of travels, we will have Bible Study, as always, with the kids from Clark High School in New Orleans on Tuesday evening. There are about 30 or so kids involved in this ministry. Richard Johnson is its leader, who is coaching football and track there, though he has asked me to teach the Bible Study over the last few weeks while I’m in town. He says it’s because I’m good at it, but I know he’s just looking for a break in the action. The Bible Studies are held in Sam Rauschenberg’s house, one block away from the school. (Sam is a teacher at Clark and a volunteer at Rebirth). We normally have burgers or chicken wings from Manchu, (a Chinese hole in the wall restaurant that specializes in wings and chicken fried rice). We of course integrate games but then get serious and explore the implications of grace in justification and sanctification and in all of life.
This Bible Study is a good start to a hopefully growing ministry movement in the resurgent urban schools of New Orleans. You see, pre-Katrina, New Orleans was a study in concentrated poverty around large and rough public housing projects. That poverty is more dispersed now, as the projects are being torn down, but it concentrates during school hours in the Recovery School District (RSD) and other public schools. These are now our target zones. We hope to plant a ministry center in the middle of these schools but have an outreach in each one of them.
One young man who we had led to Christ many years ago called me this past week, and in tears pleaded with me to relaunch the church that was Desire Street Fellowship. Of course that is on our heart. But I have much to do, and I’m finding that my body only allows me to do so much in my forties. When I was in my twenties and thirties, I thought nothing of holding down 4 or 5 full-time jobs, like senior pastor, school head-master, director of development, recording artist and so on and so forth. These days, however, the full-time job of fathering teen-agers forces a particular pace which I’m having to reluctantly submit to.
I will be headed to St. Louis this next week April 3-6 to speak at Covenant Seminary, Grace Presbyterian Church and Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. Joining me will be Torey Angeletti, who we led to Christ in his younger years and who now feels led of God to become a minister. He has become my shadow over the last few weeks, is pleading for mentoring and is assisting me in my efforts. Another gentleman will meet me there as well, who is prayerfully exploring the possibility of becoming an incarnational urban missionary in East St. Louis. Be in prayer for all of us in these regards.
Following my weekend trip to St. Louis, I will fly to North Florida College in Jacksonville on April 9th to do a number of things there too. I really don’t know what all I am doing at most of these sites until about 24 hours or so before the event. But I am the master of quick assessment and adaptation.
So I hope I can count on your prayers this next week for this flurry of activities.
I’m also working on recording a new hymn project that should come out this year. I’m talking to a few friends in Nashville about where to go from here with my whole music thing - there’s some exciting possibilities that we are discussing. Stay tuned.
My family is well. I took Lindsay recently on a three day college tour. She’s excited about at least one good option. We’re working toward placing our other kids in public schools here in New Orleans. Finding a good school that would work for us is like the proverbial needle in the haystack, but we’re trusting God. Our kids have been blessed, despite living in poor neighborhoods, they have been afforded an education that I would not have known how to hope for.
Manning is building forts and making his own weapons of spears, machine guns, bazookas and missile launchers. Again, I become the object of his aggression but I must assume that his way of saying I love you is to imagine a grenade blowing me to smitherines. As best I can I accommodate and accept his destructive affection.
Many blessings to all…
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Flying Home After a Long Trip
I’m in the Orlando airport about to board an early morning flight back into my beloved city. My trips to Connectict and to Florida have been very productive evidenced in part by my weary soul. In addition to speaking and performing in numerous churches and campuses, I was also able to meet with prospective donors. It looks like a new ministry launch in East St. Louis is becoming a real possibility. Keep praying.
I will have a few projects to tend to before turning back around and speaking at Grace Fellowship’s Missions Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Work has already begun despite my absence on the repair of two homes in the Desire neighborhood. Ministry at Clark High School in New Orleans has been carrying on in my absence.
I can hardly wait to see my wife and children. I imagine that there’s a project or two awaiting me there as well!
Thanks for your support and prayers. We’re making progress…
I will have a few projects to tend to before turning back around and speaking at Grace Fellowship’s Missions Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Work has already begun despite my absence on the repair of two homes in the Desire neighborhood. Ministry at Clark High School in New Orleans has been carrying on in my absence.
I can hardly wait to see my wife and children. I imagine that there’s a project or two awaiting me there as well!
Thanks for your support and prayers. We’re making progress…
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Humble Pie in Hallowed Halls
I was standing in a distinguished chapel at Yale University with towering stone walls under vaulted ceilings sustained by ornate pillars. The architecture was from a distant century - the acoustics like no room I’ve ever played in before. No one so small as me has been privileged to perform in so grand and dignified a place. I was singing but underneath I was reflecting about the significance of the moment. I was thinking that I’ll never forget this occasion - I’ll remember it always - the day that Mo Leverett performed his music in these hallowed halls.
And then it happened. And God seems to always do this to me in the moment I need it most. He fed me some humble pie.
It started with one person, then another, then two more - exiting in the middle of a song. I thought at first…maybe he’s got a night class…and then I remembered it was Saturday. After the second one left I thought…maybe he has another commitment. But then when the two girls left abruptly, I got the message. It was God. And He was thumping me on the head while saying…”Hey you down there! Get your head out of the clouds!”
And so I awakened from my little dream. I finished my little concert and I gave my little talk.
But there was a girl in the back - an uninhibited black girl with dreadlocks that swayed to the rhythm of my music. When I finished, I put up my guitar, gathered my lyrics and licked my wounds. She rushed to the front of the chapel and when I turned around she threw her arms around me, thanked me, gave some encouraging words about my songs and my talk. It seems that I got through to her, maybe others, who knows? But it doesn’t matter. I preached. I sang. God remains sovereign.
I’ve preached in other less dignified places like the locker room at Carver High School or the simplicity of my own living room. I’ve seen those humble places turned into sacred ground as empowered by the Holy Spirit of God sinners turn to the Savior. In truth it matters not what surrounds you when you preach, but who surrounds you when you do. And truth be told, I’d rather be at home teaching and training them.
Nevertheless, my time in Connecticut has been good. I’ve performed and taught at the University of Connecticut, Hartford University, Wesleyan and Yale. I have done a little workshop for urban ministry workers in New Haven. I’ve consulted with a couple of church’s venturing into new works in the inner-city. Tomorrow I will speak in a Presbyterian church’s Sunday school and then hustle over to the Baptist church’s worship service to preach. I’ll then drive to JFK Airport in New York and fly to Orlando to ready myself to teach a week long urban ministry course at Reformed Theological Seminary. I will then sing in 6 or so services the following weekend at Northland Community Church. Between those services Greg Doles and I will record the remaining number of hymns for my next CD project. When I’m done with all these things I’ll fly home the following Tuesday just in time to catch a few beads at a Mardis Gras parade with my Manny Man as well as the rest of the family.
Pray for my family while I’m gone. And pray for me as I miss them all terribly! Pray for stamina for myself until I return. Pray that God would be glorified and His Kingdom advanced. Pray that my many efforts would go a long way in providing the support necessary for the new initiatives at Rebirth! Thank you for your prayers and partnership!
While you’re praying, I’ll be finishing the last bite of my pie. Blessings…
And then it happened. And God seems to always do this to me in the moment I need it most. He fed me some humble pie.
It started with one person, then another, then two more - exiting in the middle of a song. I thought at first…maybe he’s got a night class…and then I remembered it was Saturday. After the second one left I thought…maybe he has another commitment. But then when the two girls left abruptly, I got the message. It was God. And He was thumping me on the head while saying…”Hey you down there! Get your head out of the clouds!”
And so I awakened from my little dream. I finished my little concert and I gave my little talk.
But there was a girl in the back - an uninhibited black girl with dreadlocks that swayed to the rhythm of my music. When I finished, I put up my guitar, gathered my lyrics and licked my wounds. She rushed to the front of the chapel and when I turned around she threw her arms around me, thanked me, gave some encouraging words about my songs and my talk. It seems that I got through to her, maybe others, who knows? But it doesn’t matter. I preached. I sang. God remains sovereign.
I’ve preached in other less dignified places like the locker room at Carver High School or the simplicity of my own living room. I’ve seen those humble places turned into sacred ground as empowered by the Holy Spirit of God sinners turn to the Savior. In truth it matters not what surrounds you when you preach, but who surrounds you when you do. And truth be told, I’d rather be at home teaching and training them.
Nevertheless, my time in Connecticut has been good. I’ve performed and taught at the University of Connecticut, Hartford University, Wesleyan and Yale. I have done a little workshop for urban ministry workers in New Haven. I’ve consulted with a couple of church’s venturing into new works in the inner-city. Tomorrow I will speak in a Presbyterian church’s Sunday school and then hustle over to the Baptist church’s worship service to preach. I’ll then drive to JFK Airport in New York and fly to Orlando to ready myself to teach a week long urban ministry course at Reformed Theological Seminary. I will then sing in 6 or so services the following weekend at Northland Community Church. Between those services Greg Doles and I will record the remaining number of hymns for my next CD project. When I’m done with all these things I’ll fly home the following Tuesday just in time to catch a few beads at a Mardis Gras parade with my Manny Man as well as the rest of the family.
Pray for my family while I’m gone. And pray for me as I miss them all terribly! Pray for stamina for myself until I return. Pray that God would be glorified and His Kingdom advanced. Pray that my many efforts would go a long way in providing the support necessary for the new initiatives at Rebirth! Thank you for your prayers and partnership!
While you’re praying, I’ll be finishing the last bite of my pie. Blessings…
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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
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
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