Lord, Give Us a Sign!

By David E. Crosby, Pastor

First Baptist New Orleans

December 18, 2007

I will meet with our councilwoman today to talk about building our church sign on the interstate. We need a favorable vote of the entire city council to proceed with this important project.

Our church facility was built with large events in mind. Our city specializes in large gatherings: conventions, parades, and festivals. Our church will host the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a presentation of the Messiah Thursday night. We just hosted an overflow crowd for the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame featuring Trombone Shorty and his jazz band.

The city council will vote on our proposal Thursday. This council meeting is likely to be raucous because it will also include a decision about proceeding with the demolition of several public housing complexes.

Put us on your prayer list. Our church has been working on this project for five years. We need a sign!

The dome of the temporary emergency shelter for the homeless is now part of the landscape for commuters on the Pontchartrain Expressway. Many people from far and near have joined hands to help provide these expanded services to our bourgeoning homeless population.

The president of Catholic Charities in New Orleans, Jim Kelly, told me recently that he thought the homeless situation in our city would continue to worsen for the next several years. Among his reasons for this prediction are 1) the lack of affordable housing in the area, 2) the ending of FEMA rental support nationwide for storm evacuees, and 3) the storm-related loss of almost all residential programs for the mentally ill and drug-addicted.

Kelly also predicted a growing number of women and children living on the streets.

The emergency shelter is only days away from being available for occupancy. Furniture is already secured and ready to be moved in.