The population around our church is now almost 40 percent of what it was before Hurricane Katrina hist our shores. We consider this great news.
The bad news concerns blighted properties. The Lakeview Civic Improvement Association estimates that 1,400 properties remain blighted.
All of Lakeview, population 24,000 before the storm, went under water, some of it as deep as 11 feet. Lakeview is the neighborhood into which the breached 17th Street Canal poured its flood waters.
More good news—900 homes in Lakeview are under construction. When these homes are occupied the population should jump to around 13,000. Many of the new residents of Lakeview are young people. Our church is eager to reach out to these families.
The excellent elementary school, Hines Charter, should be housed in new facilities in Lakeview by the end of next year. This will be a huge incentive for young families to relocate in our area.
Lakeview now has 1,900 vacant lots as a result of widespread demolition of flooded properties. Many of these lots will be purchased by neighbors next door and become green space.
Even more good news--our Early Learning Center, the only full-time day care facility in Lakeview, now has 112 children enrolled and is gaining new enrollees almost daily. This ministry is bringing new faces to our door step and provides us an opportunity to teach little children about the love of God. Our excellent faculty uses the LifeWay curriculum for age-appropriate learning.
The best news of all—First Baptist New Orleans has an opportunity to reach out to these new residents with the message of salvation in Christ. We are privileged to be part of an active community. And we are called to communicate the love of God found through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Changing Central City - Prayer Walk Saturday!
Dozens of churches in Greater New Orleans are mobilizing Saturday to strike at the root of violence in our city. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of members of local churches will walk through the streets of Central City praying for the residents there and praying for an end to the bloodshed.
Central City is an important part of our community and home to thousands of our citizens. The area includes some great churches, schools, neighborhoods, businesses and public instititutions.
It also continues to be plagued with drug wars and senseless killing.
Churches from across the region will converge at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1807 LaSalle Street, just off Claiborne Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Groups of 50 persons will fan out in the area, praying for needs and talking with residents.
All Christians are invited to participate in this unique, interdenominational effort sponsored by the Greater New Orleans Pastors Coalition.
Southern Baptists will host a major evangelistic and prayer effort in Central City in November. The prayer walk this Saturday, June 28, is part of a continuing effort to saturate our community with prayer and witnessing.
Only God’s love can change the culture of violence that makes New Orleans the perennial homicide capital of America.
Central City is an important part of our community and home to thousands of our citizens. The area includes some great churches, schools, neighborhoods, businesses and public instititutions.
It also continues to be plagued with drug wars and senseless killing.
Churches from across the region will converge at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1807 LaSalle Street, just off Claiborne Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Groups of 50 persons will fan out in the area, praying for needs and talking with residents.
All Christians are invited to participate in this unique, interdenominational effort sponsored by the Greater New Orleans Pastors Coalition.
Southern Baptists will host a major evangelistic and prayer effort in Central City in November. The prayer walk this Saturday, June 28, is part of a continuing effort to saturate our community with prayer and witnessing.
Only God’s love can change the culture of violence that makes New Orleans the perennial homicide capital of America.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This is Daddy
“This is Daddy’s truck,” Hope told me when she was two years old. She was pretending to drive, her little hands barely moving the steering wheel. I reached for the steering wheel. “This is Daddy’s truck,” she said again, protectively.
She loved her Daddy, that was clear to me, and she missed him every hour when he was away.
Fathers have a special place in the lives of their children.
I spoke of my father last Sunday in the message—the wrestling matches when he pinned me and my four brothers all in a pile in the living room floor. I have wonderful memories of a Dad who loved me.
I forget sometimes that some people—lots of people—did not grow up with a loving father. A person reminded me this week of that painful reality.
The absence of a loving father is one of the great tragedies of the present time for millions of children and adults. It is a wound that does not heal easily.
Loving fathers are in great demand. There is no role in the family where so little means so much—a little time and attention, a little listening and talking, a little affection and direction. So many kids are longing for it—just a tender look or loving touch from Dad.
Fathers, you are heroes, know it or not. You cast a shadow that lasts a lifetime.
She loved her Daddy, that was clear to me, and she missed him every hour when he was away.
Fathers have a special place in the lives of their children.
I spoke of my father last Sunday in the message—the wrestling matches when he pinned me and my four brothers all in a pile in the living room floor. I have wonderful memories of a Dad who loved me.
I forget sometimes that some people—lots of people—did not grow up with a loving father. A person reminded me this week of that painful reality.
The absence of a loving father is one of the great tragedies of the present time for millions of children and adults. It is a wound that does not heal easily.
Loving fathers are in great demand. There is no role in the family where so little means so much—a little time and attention, a little listening and talking, a little affection and direction. So many kids are longing for it—just a tender look or loving touch from Dad.
Fathers, you are heroes, know it or not. You cast a shadow that lasts a lifetime.
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