God is always at work around you

Experiencing God: Reality 1 

When a missionary enters a “pioneer” area they tend to think that they are bringing God into a “godforsaken” land. I was a Marine attending a very mission minded Southern Baptist Church in North Carolina when I received orders to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In my mind, the north was the realm of atheism and I saw God's hand in providing me an opportunity to bring the gospel to a sinful people.

I was surprised to find Christians in Maryland and a new church start in the community where I had moved. I quickly found a home there and was licensed, mentored and ordained by a people who were mission minded and eager to train a young man with a call to ministry. I learned that God was at work in Maryland long before He arranged for me to arrive.

From Maryland, I went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I had pictured myself as a youth pastor in an outlying rural community. Apparently, so had every other ministry student. I found myself, instead, the pastor of an inner-city new church start just outside the French Quarter.

God had been at work in advance of my arrival. There were seminary students who had arrived at NOBTS for reasons unrelated to my church who partnered with me in this God-sized adventure. They were sojourners on a quest for their own God-driven destinies.

Looking back I can see how God had been at work in my life and in the life of Baptist Temple to create the wonderful ministry that has emerged. I know that He has been at work carefully selecting who would be a part of the future and who would not. Even now He is developing leaders who will lead Baptist Temple into the future.

God is always at work around us. We must open the eyes of our heart to see what he is doing. 

The church that came back to life

Church leaders initially decided not to reopen the 169 year old Episcopal Church of the Annunciation after it flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, the entire Broadmoor neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans was to be cleared and turned into green space. Instead, the residents decided to stay and rebuild their community. The Church of the Annunciation reopened and became a partner in the effort.

I had the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of one of the ministries hosted by the church (AnnunciationMission) during my stay in New Orleans last week. The Annunciation Mission houses 84 people dormitory style. Hot breakfast and authentic New Orleans dinners are included for $25 per night. So are sack lunches, showers and WiFi.

Katrina survivors, Jean and James, provide tender loving care to all their guests, ensuring all are well-fed and comfortable. Everyone connected to the mission were kind and generous and committed to New Orleans' comeback.

My dorm included a diverse group of 7 guys from all over America in New Orleans for the CCDA conference. We traded stories and ideas which made the trip so much more valuable for me.

The mission and a daycare have brought purpose to a church that was declared dead. And, on Sunday, they worship the Lord who died and rose again.