Missions at home

The call to missions is not just far away from home. In fact, it starts in our own backyard. The NOLA missions team is committed to serving here, in Delaware, as well as in New Orleans. That is why we partnered with the deacons at Glasgow Church for the "Judea Project." The Judea Project is an extreme home makeover for a family in Wilmington. When I first entered the house, there was nothing - no carpeting, no furniture, no beds, no dishes - nothing. Our team came in and patched the holes in the wall and painted the whole house. New flooring and carpeting is going in this week and furniture will be delivered soon. Here are few pictures from our day serving with the Judea Project.

2009 Mission to New Orleans!

Time has passed. The national focus and priorities have shifted. And yet, in New Orleans, there are still people desperate for hope, desperate for help.

Glasgow Church is responding to this call by going - in force and on a mission. This summer, over the course of two weeks, 50 people from Glasgow Church will be going to NOLA to serve. The first team in NOLA from June 27 through July 5. The second group will arrive July 3 and be there until July 11.

Pray that God would use us in amazing ways. As a team, we have committed to memorize Ephesians 3:14-21. In that passage, we read that God is able to do "infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine." We are asking that God will do amazing things - infinitely greater things - than we can even imagine in and through us. Follow this site to see the pictures and read the stories from our trip. And finally, pray for us!

A few more memories

Here are a couple of videos to remind everyone of the trip and maybe to continue praying for these ministries:


St. Roch Community Church Plant



"Glory, Glory" at Bethel Colony South Transformation Ministry

Slideshow from New Orleans

Enjoy this little slideshow from our trip - God really is doing great things in that city!

Passing the Baton

We've been home for a few days now, but there is one thing that happened right at the end of our trip that I can't shake. We were at Enterprise, returning our rental cars, and I was standing at the counter waiting to pay. There, next to me, was a group that was picking up their cars. It seemed obvious to me that they were a church group, so I asked them where they were from. "Delaware," came the reply, to which I said, "Oh really, where?" "Newark." There, right next to us at Enterprise, just arriving, was a group of 23 from a church in Newark, ready to serve the Lord in New Orleans. After all that our team had accomplished in our week there, it was almost like a passing of the baton as another church just down the street from ours was showing up to continue God's work in that city. That was so encouraging to me.

I'm not sure I can event count the times in our week in NOLA where I heard, "If it wasn't for the church coming to serve, this city would not be where it is today." Time and time again, from pastors to community residents made the same comment. It brings tears to my eyes and as I think about God's passion for these people and how faithful his church has been at extending compassion to them. That truly is what it means to be salt, light and a city on a hill. That is the very purpose for which God has placed us here in this world. When God's people serve those who are hurting, outcasts or outsiders, they are bringing God's kingdom to bear on the earth, and that is cause to celebrate!

Home Safely

We're tired, sad, excited, grateful and more, but we are home safely. Thank you to all who prayed for our travel yesterday. Keep your eyes on this site as more stories will continue to be posted. God bless each of you today.

Consequently...

Ephesians 2:19-22

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Here are some comments on this passage from Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile at Modern Reformation Magazine that I read on the plane ride home tonight. It is right in line with Steve's teachings on Revelation, dealing with The New Creation and our New Dwelling in Christ:

"What is consequent to new life in Christ individually, and new reconciliation and unity with others and God through faith in Christ? Three things: citizenship; membership; and dwelling.

Our citizenship has been changed, which is what Paul's been reflecting on all along in Ephesians. But Paul concludes with another reminder of that fact here in verse 19: "No longer foreigners and aliens (sojourners), but fellow citizens."

"No longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow... members of the household of God." The imagery grows more intimate. It's not just that we've made it inside the borders of a new kingdom or territory, but by God's grace we have been brought into the King's household-and not just as mere servants, but as members of that household. We have been adopted into the family as heirs together of this kingdom with Christ (Rom. 8:15-17). All who are in Christ are made a part of one family-God's family, God's household. Far from being at war, hostile and threatening, we sleep securely under the roof of God our King as his children. This is the future of all who love and follow Jesus as their Savior.

This household is "being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Notice how the imagery grows yet more intimate still. It's not just that we're now citizens, and it's not just that we're members of God's household; we are the house or dwelling of God (vv. 19-20). We are a "household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets..."

Notice too that this dwelling, this household, is founded "with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Christ is the Chief Apostle, sent by God the Father to die for the sins of his people and to preach the good news of peace. Christ is the Chief Prophet foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18. He is the fulfillment of Israel's hope and the One who brings the Gentiles near to God. He, then, is the cornerstone. He anchors the entire building, and he keeps it level and sturdy. As the cornerstone, he is the foundational element that joins together the walls of Gentile and Jew. It is upon Jesus that the entire edifice is raised (vv. 21-22).

Here is the glorious end of it all! All of history is about God building for himself a holy temple, a dwelling place. That dwelling is not made by hands, does not suffer construction delays or need weather treatment, or require bricks and mortar. The temple of God is built on the cornerstone of his Son, Jesus. It is laid on the foundation of his sent messengers, apostles and prophets; but it is raised with the "living stones" of the once dead now living, once alien now citizen, once hostile now reconciled followers of Jesus Christ! The one people of God-Jew and Gentile; black and white; male and female; young and old-all of God's people of all time through faith in Jesus Christ have become the temple of God indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.

This is the destiny of all who repent of their sins and turn toward God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are destined to be his dwelling place, until we hear that final proclamation from the throne of heaven (Rev. 21:3)-

"Behold, now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

(source: Modern Reformation Jan/Feb 2008)

For The Glory of It All

going home but new orleans we will return

today is a great day but also a sad day because we have to fly home but we dont want to leave because there is still so much work to be done here in new orleans as rebuilding and touching lives and souls for christ,there are so many memories i will never forget like going to bethel colony,to helping gloryland baptist church and changing pastor dunbars life that he can very soon get his churcha and congregation back to start to worship God but alot still needs to be done to get the church back,helping st.roch community church and knowing pastor jb watkins will be ok because soon he will reopen his church to the community that wants its church and neighborhoods back and they arent letting hurricane katrina stop them from the vision they have after such a devesating storm but God and the church have gotten new orleans back on there feet.
i have been touched and so humbled by the outporing of love from the communities and neighborhoods that everyone has a story to tell and they just want someone to listen and love them and let them know everything will be ok and that were here to help and God will be so honored by us helping others when they need it.
"LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING BUT THE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD"
steve ledden

Feed the Multitudes

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:35-36).

Those verses, printed on the back of the tshirts from Feed the Multitudes, captures not only yesterday, but even the spirit of our time here in New Orleans. Feed the Multitudes was an amazing event as thousands of the poorest people in the city came to or were bussed into City Park for the event. Our task was to hand out bags of groceries for people to take home with them so that not only did they get a meal, haircut and more at the event, they also went home with 2 bags of groceries. However, as the prayer tent was understaffed, several of our team had the privilege of sitting in the tent praying for people who came asking for prayer.

After the hard work of drywalling, insulating, mowing and more that we have done all week, our week culminated with the chance to feed and pray for the people of the city. What an incredible blessing. One member of our team commented it seems like at some point, we should get to be more of a blessing than we receive in return. And yet that is the very power of radical obedience and love of people is that as we do so, God is forming his character, heart and passion into us.

As we near the end of our week, thank you to all who have followed us, prayed for us and supported us. We have been the hands and feet of Christ to a city in need and have encountered the living Christ transforming us as well. Thank you.

God of This City

Each day we've had the incredible privilege of worshipping with one another. On a few occasions we've worshipped with local believers, and daily as a team we've been led by our incredibly gifted worship leader, Bruce Jeffers. 

Of all the amazing songs of worship and supplication that we've sung, everyone here agrees that "God of This City" is by far our team favorite. In fact, it has become our theme.  

Below is a video of Chris Tomlin's version put together by another group of folks who we don't know, but were helping out somewhere in another city. As we prepare to serve tomorrow for the July 4th festival here in NOLA, we are reminded that our true freedom is found in Christ alone, who truly is the God of this city!

Feed the Multitudes for the 4th of July

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and our whole team will be serving along side Victory Fellowship, a local church here in New Orleans. The event is called "Feed the Multitudes" and takes place annually at City Park. 

Please pray that it doesn't rain all day long and that all of those in need will be able to make their way to the park.

Our team will be serving specifically by passing out groceries. And there is so much more going on. So watch this video to see what it is all about it:

Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures

We've been trying to share some of the pictures that we've been taking throughout the week, but there are more (hundreds more!). This slideshow will move scroll through them. To see the whole library, click on the slideshow.

How many missionaries does it take to open a can of corn?

Answer: One, the one with a tetanus shot.

Last night (Wednesday) Mrs. Jeantet went to the store to buy a can opener. But, no one could figure out how to use it. It took over 3 men and 3 women to open one can. We had to come up with some creative ways to open the can. Finally, Mr. Umberger (the one that had to get a Tetanus shot because he cut himself) got elected to open the can.

"I finally got the can open!" he said. Just five more cans to go...

-Elaina Long

St. Roch: A new start and a new chapter will begin

Today we worked side by side with Laurie, a volunteer from Maine. She has been been working at St. Roch for a year now, so it was awesome to learn from her. The jobs we did were: shoveling mud, dirt, and sand alongside the church and curbside, then we used a pressure washer. In the words of "Tim the Toolman," (Taylor from The Home Depot) he would say this is a real man's kind of tool, RRRRRRRRRRRRRR. After completing the jobs that were priority to the church, I went with a group of people (Ben Springer, Bob Umberger, and Deb Welch) to hand out fliers to the community inviting them to an event called "Feed the Multitudes," which will take place this Friday. (July 4th) For this event, we are going to volunteer at City Park to help hand out groceries for "Feed the Multitudes." It's going to be a great day of worship and fellowship, passing out groceries, and helping with everything that will be taking place. Also on July 4th, since it's Indepence Day, we will go and see Fireworks on the riverfront that night at 9 PM and probably go to the French Quarter for dinner at a restaurant. That will be a fun night.

There is someone back home whom I miss very much, my adopted little brother, Matt Bragg. I miss and love you. I can't wait to spend quality time with you when I get home and share all the experiences I have encountered on this trip. P.S: You better behave, OR ELSE!!!
To my brother in-laws, Matt and Mark. Also to my other family members: Amie and Christa, Emilie, Lizzy, Nate, John John, Abigail and Madison, I love and miss you guys, I can't wait to come home and share with you this awesome experience that God is doing and what he is going to do in the next 10 years to bring hope, stability, and most importantly bring God back to the communities of New Orleans. There is a song called "God of this City," (which we have sung on this trip) and it talks about there is so much more to take care of and with God EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

-Steve Ledden-

What a difference a year makes

While there is a lot left to be done in New Orleans, one thing that has been a huge encouragement to Kim and I is seeing the progress that has been made since we left last August to come to GRPC. Sheila served as an assistant cook last summer for the ministry with which we were serving down here. Sheila's house was destroyed in the storm and we had the privilege of working on her house last summer, starting all the way from hanging insulation and drywall. Now, three years since the storm, her house is almost finished, with just a few more small tasks before she will finally be able to move back in. On Monday, members of our team painted her bathroom and trim around the house. Look at the progress that has been made...

Pic 1 - Outside last year
Pic 2 - Outside today


Pic 3 - Inside last year
Pic 4 - Inside today

Working at St. Roch

Enjoy this short video of us at work today at St. Roch Community Church, a PCA church plant sponsored by Desire Street Ministries. Today we scraped paint, shoveled dirt, built planting boxes around trees up and down one street and more with St. Roch. We will be back with them tomorrow. This video is some of our team shoveling dirt into a wheelbarrow and moving it out of the way so that we could come back through with a pressure washer and clean their sidewalks.

Spoons

Tonight (Wednesday) we are about to play another competitive game of spoons. This has been one of our favorite games over the past week on this trip. Members include: Elaina, Tucker, Anna, Boots, Alexis, Chris, Ryan, and Tom.

The Tuckn8r VS Boots: Who will go down at the end of the week?

GRPC members vote!
Tuckn8r VS Boots!
Vote either yes for Boots or Tuckn8r!
Vote by commenting for this blog.

revival at the bethel colony

well are day started at 5:30am,getting a quick breakfast,then leaving for a worship service at bethel colony a church that all guys live and stay there and love the lord so much in everything they do and say but sometimes they get out of line and the pastor says attitude check and all the guys yell "PRAISE THE LORD"so we got to see and hear that today and so many stories from some of the guys and it just humbled me so much to hear there stories of struggle but now there life is nothing but for jesus christ there lord and savior,and when we were at the worship service it felt like a promise keepers event for guys and sons but this was like the whole body of christ singing praises all day long to our savior and lord.
then after the worship service we drove to another missions field to help another pastor to help him clean and cut grass and weedwacked and took trash to a dumpster from 9:30am till 3pm and when we got done cleaning all around the property it looked brand new and the pastor came back and was totally stunned by the work we had gotten accomplished a job well done good and faithful servant ,and we will never give up or forget about new orleans because it is about the families that we care about and to touch every persone we come in contact with.
then we came back for some well deserved heavenly showers and let me tell you i was singing worship songs in there after my experience today,then we left again to go back to bethel colony to serve dinner to the guys at the church and that was a blessing in its self because to get the chance to minister to all the guys that came to you and talked and told you stoies of how they were struggling without god in there lives and when they came to bethel that all changed for them in such a powerful way.
truly i saw jesus in every shape and form with the whole experience today and i will never forget it and our journey is not done until every country and the whole world will hear the gospel of jesus christ there lord and savior,sometimes we forget that we try and do things on our own and we cant so we need jesus everyday and night to get us through another day.


"NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS WILL WASH YOUR SINS WHITE AS SNOW"!



steve ledden

Restoring glory to Gloryland

Monday- The first work day began on Monday, & much has been acomplished! We divided the gteam into 3 smaller groups to work on each task. Half of them went to a neighborhood, where they took turns handing out flyers for the Feed the Multidudes free food event on July 4th and painting a bathroom. The other group which I was a part of visited Gloryland Baptist Church. A few bought several sheets of drywall & tools to make repairs in their storage & restroom section. All of us except Bruce, who had volunteered to help fix the microphones & sound equipment, set to work assembling the ceiling. The older men held up the drywall while I drilled in the screws. After a brief lunch break, when we enjoyed Pastor Dunbar's praises to the Lord through the microphone which Bruce had fixed & Hampton's passionate organ playing, we continued with the walls. Their was a skinny horizontal shelf that spanned the length of 1 wall which we had to work around. I cut a small peice of dywall for the right side of the shelf which fit rather well. Then I trimmed another peice which was close to the size I needed but which I ended up having to measure & cut 4 times until it finally squeezed between the gap. We were so thrilled that it fit that we immediately drilled it in place before packing up for the day. We definitely accomplished most of the work that we had started, but there were other jobs remaining which we hadn't even touched. Although their church may not be suitable for use before our departure, I am confident that we have made tremendous progress toward the reunion of Gloryland Baptist Church. We pray that this will happen soon & hope that you will as well. We praise the Good Lord for providing this work & using us as his vessels to be a blessing to those in need!
In Christ,
Ben Springer