We appreciate everyone's prayers, support, and contributions for phase
two of the " Building A Bigger Porch" project- " The Sanctuary" please follow
our progress in pictures at urbanimpact.shutterfly.com

We will be updating this website page shortly with more information about
or progress, and other ministry news. Please continue to check back
with us periodically. We appreciate your patience as we work through
some recent website editing challenges.

March 2, 2013

We had four teams in from North Carolina, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Washington State. We sheet rocked about 90 % of the new youth center,removed eight windows and two doors and closed them in, continued work on installing the concession stand, insulated copper pipes, painted bead board, stained trim beams, completed the insulation, etc.In addition, we had a contractor complete the asbestos tile removal on the exterior. The cypress boards are in really good shape, so we plan to work with them.
It was simply stated a very rewarding and fun week. We had a number of returning teams and a lot of good friends who joined us in our journey. It is such a blessing to watch God take teams and people from different geographic locations, different walks of life, cultures, etc. and weave them into a cohesive, effective, and harmonious group for HIS purposes. WOW!!

February 23rd, 2013

We had a wonderful week with 25 missionaries from Faith Church in Austin, MN.,
Faith Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and St. Luke from Wellington, MO.
We finished the insulation( with the exception of the bathrooms), continued moving forward with the electrical, are ready for a closed wall on the plumbing on Monday, hung the HVAC air handlers on both sides of the stage, roughed in for two side exterior doors, painted 600 bead boards for trim, installed fence post for the outside electrical and A/C area, finished the stairwell,removed the exterior door canopies, installed the attic stairwell, finished the ceiling sheetrock over the first floor including tape, float, and texture, and began installing the sheetrock on the walls.

February 10th, 2013

We had a wonderful week working on our new youth community center. We had a returning team from Community EFC in Platteville, Wisconsin in this week. We spent the week finishing denailing the rest of the bead board and insulating the facility, as well as, finishing the erection of the stage. We received our close wall for HVAC and electrical. We began the plumbing install for the bathrooms in addition.

One of the missionaries, Tim, brought down some bikes for the kids and spent a couple of days training a few adults on how to care and maintenance the bikes. He donated the bikes and the equipment to care for them. On Thursday night, he gave several of the bikes away to school children who are part of our afternoon tutoring and mentoring ministry.

January 27th, 2013

We had a week to catch on a few things this week. We didn't have missionaries this past week, but as always, God seemed to know we needed the week to get caught up on a few things. We had to have a sub contractor build out the mezzanine and we needed to get up in the rafters and fix the roof and some of the roof structure that was damaged at the end of the shoring process. We met with a number of people who will be helping us out this week.
In addition we had the time to work through a few bumps in the road.

January 20th, 2013

What a week we had. The inside of the facility is completely gutted of all bead board , and we framed up 1/2 of the bathrooms, sound booth and concession bar this week. The removal of the bead board was a monotonous and dirty task. We had 4300 square feet, 16 feet high plus the ceiling to remove one board at a time. It is done, and we sent the first batch of about 500 cut and de nailed boards off to be stripped this week. At the end of the week, we began pulling the first of the electrical rough in. We had 21 in from Rockpointe and First Lutheran Churches and Marty Kutzner
(who is in for three months to assist us from Wisconsin - WHAT A BLESSING HE IS!!.).
We had a great mix of young college students, experienced craftsmen, first time missionaries, and those who were with us last year. We worked through the rain all week long, and finally got to go out on a prayer walk on Thursday afternoon.

January 13th, 2013

We have begun the second phase of the Porch project at Urban Impact.
We have titled it "The Sanctuary"

Tyrone, our youth pastor, has come up with the name for our new " Hip Hop" youth community center - 'The Sanctuary".
It seems appropriate doesn't it. It is in keeping with our vision- giving people a "safe place to gather" It will be a place for youth and young people to come to - that is safe- as well as - a place where they can get away from all of the influences and distractions of the neighborhood and streets. As many of you already know- we have had ten young people associated with the ministry, church, and youth group murdered over the last 34 months.

We believe this facility will offer us tremendous opportunity to create relationships, to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the youth of our community, resulting in changed lives for now and eternity. This facility will be a big piece in what we are doing to change a neighborhood.

We got started just after Thanksgiving with the shoring of the facility. Once again,
Chris Klein who had a youth ministry in the community,
prior to Katrina, stepped up to help us, using his company to get this 100 year building a firm foundation. You will remember he demolished the houses to begin phase one. He finished just before Christmas. On December 29th, we were part of a city wide challenge- " Super Service Challenge" hosted by the Drew Brees Foundation, and Companies with a Mission,- where we had a number of local copra rte friends- Perinos Nursery, Personnel Consulting Group, New Orleans Catering, Latter & Blum Realtors and LLOG Exploration. We had about 40 or so on a cold and windy day. We cleaned out all of the remaining storage boxes, debris, construction materials, and began removing the beata boards. We had a great day, and a chance to have some of our local friends be a part of something bigger than all of us.

This past week we had a team from Door Creek Church, led by Jared Hoffman. They worked with great diligence in removing about 1/2 of the boards from the walls and ceiling. We plan to strip them and reuse them in the renovation. They removed nails and stacked them by size. It was a dirty and laborious job, and we thank them immensely for the service.

"Building A Bigger Porch Update"

November 18, 2012
Celebrating What God Has Done!

Three weeks ago , we took an entire week end to celebrate and honor our Father who directed our path, provided all necessary provisions in laborers, finances, materials, and safety to renovate a building for "HIS" purposes in Central City New Orleans.

It was a time of honor and thanks to God, reflection of how and what He had done, gratitude to the many volunteers and contributions of those who made it all possible, as well as , a time to high light that now the building was constructed as a corner stone foundation and beacon oh light in the neighborhood, the opportunity, time and direction for ministry is at hand.

Here are some of the High Lights –
Friday Afternoon Ribbon Cutting

We had a brief service with City officials, Pastors in the neighborhood, school students from KIPP Charter School, neighbors, and a number of missionaries who had participated in the effort, local businessmen, and UIM board members. Pastor John chose to have the children do the actual cutting of the ribbon.

Pastor Michael Sprague	Youth Pastor Tyrone Christoph	City Councilwoman Diane Bajoie
Pastor Thompson	City Council Vice President Jaccquelyn Clarkson	Pastor Pierre

Friday Evening Community Picnic

We had a beautiful afternoon and evening where we had an awesome fellowship with church members and residents
of the neighborhood.

Saturday Night Banquet

There is no substitute for celebrating around a meal. The church worshipped and shared testimony of what God has done and is going to do. Many of the church volunteers were thanked for their servants heart during the project.

Sunday Morning Finale

Pastor Alvin Sanders from the EFCA gives energized message of reality and
challenge to Castle Rock

Pastor Alvin Sanders delivered a passionate message to the congregation of Castle Rock Church. He shared how awesome it was for God to bring people, circumstances and provisions to build this facility, but He didn't do it for our comfort, but rather for HIS purpose. His purpose was to minister to the people in this community, to impact and influence this community for Kingdom benefits. The work for the Kingdom was not in building the facility, but affecting changed lives in the neighborhood He has called us to. The building facility is simply a vehicle to accomplish His purposes. As with any great message, illustrations in the message play a great role in getting the point across. The illustrations Pastor Alvin conveyed were simply put- phenomenal!

Ocotber 15, 2012

Castle Rock Community Church
Building Dedication Celebration
October 26-28

Friday October 26
Dedication Ribbon Cutting - 3 PM
Join the neighborhood and other guests as we cut the ribbon on our new facility.
Picnic- 5:30 PM
Join us as we invite the neighborhood to celebrate our dedication at a free
community picnic.

Saturday October 27
Reconciliation Workshop - 9 AM
One of core values of Castle Rock Community Church is reconciliation. Join us in a workshop and dialog with Dr. Alvin Sanders, Vice President for Reconciliation for the Evangelical Free Church of America.
Celebration Banquet - 6 PM
A banquet will be held in our new Worship Center. A special evening of celebration will topped of by Dr. Alvin Sanders. Cost is $10. Reservations are requested by Oct. 21. Don't miss this great evening.

Sunday October 28 - 10:00 AM
The weekend will be capped off with a service led by CRCC's praise ministries and Dr. Sanders bringing us a message of
encouragement and challenge.

Download our architectual rendering for our phase two project

The Sanctuary- our new youth community center. Renovation will begin January, 2013. Teams interested in partnering with us can sign up on the MissionNOLA page under NOLATransform.

- " The Sanctuary"- our new youth community center which renovation will begin the beginning of January, 2013. Teams interested in partnering with us can sign up on the MissionNOLA page, under NOLATransform.

August 6,2012

"The Porch Report"

Our summer ministry has come to a close. What a summer we had!

Summer VBS at Castle Rock

We were blessed with 10 Fanatastic interns. The best intern group ever. God did amazing things with them individually, and as a team centered group.

From left to right - Evanda, Lauren, Josiah, Jennie, Jaek, Alexandra, Jordon, Olivia, Phillip, & Brianna

It is always difficult to say good bye to those God has brought to you, to partner along side our ministry for but a small period of time. These young people gave so much of themselves, so that others may come to know the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. We thank them for their servant's heart, their time, and their love.

Ending Challenge Circle each night with the sling shooting of water balloons - it always helped cool things off.

Building Relationships , to share the Gospel message, all summer long!

We took a full bus of 45 youth to KAA

Kids Across America in Missouri

KAA is a camp for inner city youth which Urban Impact has been taking kids every summer, for over 20 years. This year we took a full bus of 45 kids to camp. We were only able to do this because of your contributions this spring and summer. Thank You!!! Many of our youth have rarely been outside the city, much less the state. At KAA, these young people are exposed to many things they haven't ever seen before- like sports activities such as canoing, zip cords, etc. These kids have a tremendous week with all types of activities and exposure to the gospel message. This year we had seven except salvation, and eight rededicated their life to Christ.

Activities are always around team and working together

Wonder what has their attention?

Out of their element for sure! Their is a first time for everything .

July 12, 2012

"The Porch Report"

It has been a while since we posted but MAN, we have been busy!!!!!!

Thanks Be TO God !

Since we last posted, we have had 151 missionaries and 47 Castle Rock Church Volunteers in March and April, , 28 missionaries in May,79 missionaries in June,179 in July to assist us with our summer outreach ministries, as well as, 800 join us in the afternoons for the week of July 1 to July 5th for ministry outreach and service projects.

We got our permanent occupancy for the facility on May 12th, moved in on May 15th, first service on May 20th,had one of our longtime minisrty warriors in Joan Hathawy retire after seventeemn years at UIM on May 15th. Her retirement celebration was May 21st. We sold two properties to help us address some of the cost of the porch renovation, on May 21st and 22nd, ten summer college interns arrived for boot camp training on the 23rd, and our summer ministry programs began on June 4th. We have over 200 kids registered for VBS this summer. In addition, New Orleans was the host city for the National EFCA Youth Convention this year from June 30th to July 5th which required a great deal of participation from Pastor John and our Youth Pastor, Tyrone Christoph. WOW!, it has been an awesome first 6 and1/2 months of 2012. To Him be the glory!

Coming together as ONE for His purposes in this community

Celebration Reunion during Challenge Week

Eat That Thang!!! **************Worship ********************* Porch Snowballs

Jeremy and Evanda sharing their message through a song they wrote

Our summer Jr. High School Work Crew serves EFCA Board of Directors Dinner

Summer Ministry at Urban Impact

VBS , Prayer walks, Basketball Outreach, Challenge Circle, and Service Projects

We keep some tight schedules at "The Porch" during the summer.

Service Projects

Challenge Circle

VBS Sports

VBS Bible

VBS Crafts

Basketball Outreach in the neighborhood parks

Extravaganza Fridays

Relationships Fostered

Summer NOLA Fusion Director- Tre Pennington

Tre , thanks for your leadership this summer!

*****************

NOLA Fusion Summer Interns 2012

10 weeks of non stop dedication, growth opportunities, stretch marks, and constant challenges.

Joan Hathaway Retires After Seventeen Years at Urban Impact

Joan said goodbye to us and all of those she so graciously and directly served on May the 15th. We celebrated with her and wished her fairwell on Monday May 21st. Their were a lot of laughs, alot of tears, but most of all a tremendous patronage for a great lady in our midst. The testimonies of all of those impacted by her in their lives spoke volumes about the how God has used her here in New Orleans. To say we will miss her is, of course, is an understatement.

We had our " First Service" May 20th.

Pastor John takes the pulpit for the first time, realizing the vision and a three year journey God had brought to completion.

In his message,Pastor John thanked God for giving us the building,and now he asked God to give us this neighborhood.

God sent His laborers from the north, south, east, and west to accomplish His plan!

We thank all of those who said "yes" to partnering with us to what God called us to in Central City New Orleans. Words simply cannot express our love and gratitude to all of you. Thank you just doesn't seem to cover it. We look forward to seeing y'all in the very near future.

Beginning in June of 2011, we had an estimated 900 missioaries,11 staff, 60 church volunteers, and approximately 35 subcontractor crew people work at " The Porch" in eleven and one half months with demolition and renovations to complete phase one.

We give God all the honor, praise and glory!!!

Now we have a kitchen to cook the Gumbo in for Gumbo Fridays

Pastor John was in the thick of it throughout

The last month, we were all over the place with people from all over the place

The Lord sent great leaders to help shoulder the load.

Two very gifted crafstmen doing the detailed work

It just amazing how God sends just the right people at just the right time! He did it every week.

March 17, 2012

"The Porch Report"

Their are six weeks (44) days left. We are turning towards the finish line. We continue to need your prayers. We are attempting to finish the project on time, continue to do ministry at Urban Impact and Castle Rock Church, and PREPARE for why He called us to complete this effort. We know the ninistry demands will continue to increase over the next weeks and months, as we complete phase one and move in.

We have 87 missionaries and friends over the last two weeks who have worked tirelessly to get us over the top in a number of areas

We have completed a great deal of task in the sanctuary, as well as, the classrooms and office areas. We have started moving outside and getting back out into the community with our annual March Blight Busters.

The exterior windows arrived and we didn't waste any time getting them in.

We have had a number of days with, between sub contrators, missionaries, staff, and church volunteers , 50 mto 60 people on site.

We got the stucco /plaster done, the 30 tons hoisted up and put in place and started working on the sound booth this week

We have had a number of good friends and past staff come back to show us the love.

March 4, 2012

"The Porch Report"

The Lord continues to remind us that He sends us out to do His work, and He sends us where He needs us.

Central City New Orleans isn't easy, and we were reminded of this with five burglaries between February 19th to the 26th at The Porch.They got some copper and some bicycles meant for the kids in the neighborhood. The devil is going to come knocking, you can count on it when you are pursuing " God's Stuff". We are on a battlefield as His ambassadors, and we are going to keep on, keeping on!!God has our back, and He has given us firm direction to navigate.

We had a wonderful past two weeks, getting down the road in many areas of the project. Our blessing was to watch the "changed lives" of many of the missionaries who gave their time, talent , and resources to spend a week with us to make a difference for eternity in Central City New Orleans. Their support and encouragement has been invaluable.

Over the last two weeks, we have done a few not so pleasant task such as hanging razor wire with fences and cleaning the sanctuary floors

The classrooms are painted, and the windows came in this week

Teams, at times, have worked on top of each other. We finished the ceilinjg in the sanctuary

Sean's really not sleeping here. He is painting the railings in the stairwell. We have finished the majority of the sheet rock.

Putting up the alley fence afforded us the opportunity to meet some of our neighbors.

Please continue to pray for us as we nove forward. We have seven weeks to go!!

February 19,2012

"The Porch Report"

This is why we do what we do. The ONE thing we can do is to invest in Kingdom eternity! It's really the only thing that matters.

Over the last several weeks, we have really had a lot of fun mixed in with a lot of hard work. We are a bit ahead of schedule in most areas. We finished sheet rock, tape and float and painted the walls in the sanctuary....

We cut out the old windows on the back side of the property, studded the walls and prepped for stucco/ plaster...

We cut out a window in the nursery.... continued with electrical.. We received the close wall electrical for the entire facility...

We painted the nursery, office, and classroom walls... insulated the outside walls of the classrooms, offices, and nursery...

One of the teams from Minnesota...

We FINALLLY got all of the parts to the security fence behind the sanctuary.. and finished erecting it!

Began sanding the stairwells... and cleaning floors... painting baseboards...

Cleaned up debris...constructed a firewall in the ladies bathroom...

Played a little basketball.... and enjoyed some terrific gumbo...

BUT, most of all, we enjoyed great times with good friends who have continued to support and partner with us in what God has called us to in Central City New Orleans!

Please Keep us in your prayers. We have nine weeks to go to complete phase one.

We are looking for a few good people. Do you know any suspended ceiling professionals, stucco/plaster specialist who might be interested in assisting us in March?

February 5,2012

"The Porch Report"

The last two weeks we....

Formed and prepared to pour concrete... continued to pull electrical... plumbing rough in... continued studding walls in sanctuary and office area...gutted the bathrooms...insulated walls... hung sheetrock...floated sheetrock...poured concrete... framed for external security fence...hung HVAC ductwork in the sanctuary...painted the ceiling and ductwork in the sanctuary...and ate some gumbo...etc.

We were blessed to be a part of it, but it was nothing we can take credit for. HE had planned this long ago to have teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and volunteers from New Orleans and Castle Rock Church to come together for HIS purpose. Only God can do this!!!

We can clearly see what HIS intention and plan for Urban Impact Ministries and Castle Rock Church are for us here in Central City.

We get to see that He has plans not only for us, but also for the missionaries He is sending. He has plans for them while they are here but also for them when they return home.

God'd people coming together from the north, south, east & west as one. Coming from different cultures, different ways of doing things, different ways of talking, different ways of dressing, different likes and dis likes and putting all of that aside and just loving each other and working together because of what HE has done for us. Unbelievale , if you didn't see it for yourself!

Continue to PRAY for us! Eleven Weeks to go!

January 15,2012

"The Porch Report"

New Beginnings....

At the beginning of August, we had just a handful of teams signed up to partner with us from January to May to help us with "Building A Bigger Porch". By the middle of November, we have teams coming every week from December 26th to April 15th. Let's give Him all the Praise. In December, the Urban Impact Staff began installing metal studs in the sanctuary along with church volunteers from Castle Rock. Our first team started the day after Christmas, and we have been going non stop since then. We have had teams from California, Illinois,Wisconsin, and Iowa over the last three weeks.

We spent the first two weeks after Christmas working in the sanctuary finishing studding the walls and began pulling electrical in the walls. We received our close wall electrical inspection this past week. This week , we continued overhead electrical in the sanctuary- multi purpose room, electrical on the first floor offices, nursery, kitchen, etc., cut and dug out 9 inch concrete slabs in the bathrooms, kitchen, walkways and outside area. I guess it was close to about 125 feet or so. In addition, we painted primer coats in the office, nursery, youth room, classrooms and recording studio, as well as, trimmed the two oak trees, began installing insulation, began painting the ceilings and beams in the sanctuary,and dug trenches for plunbing rough in, in the kitchen and bathrooms. Finally, we had a crew build the stage to about 90% completion.. WOW! we have been rolling! Why we are able to do this is simply from God's provision in laborers, in His timing. It is truly a HUGE blessing to see what He does and how His plan comes together. We look forward with great anticipation for Him to direct and guide us in navigating this effort. Please continue to pray for the project, the missionaries, the safety of those who participate, financial provision, and stamina.

And, "OH YES", The gumbo Miss Bertha made on Friday was simply outstanding.We thank the Lord for the new friends we have made and the old friendships that have been refreshed.

December 5,2011

"The Porch Report"

Their is nothing like the heart of a volunteer...

This past Saturday we had volunteers from Castle Rock Church on the ground. It was a great day!What a blessing to see the people come togehter to invest in the church God has called them to. Everyone worked together in the sanctuary area installing steel studs.

Whether from the north, south, east or west, or simply those who live in the community or attend Castle Rock Church,the heart of a volunteer , can accomplish the near impossible or unthinkable because of the desires of their heart. Volunteers are ready, willing and able to tackle any task afforded them. This includes putting their hands to efforts they are not comfortable or familiar with.

This is what makes God look GOOD! When we are willing to let Him use us to accomplish HIs purposes!

We also had several volunteers from nearby Xavier University.

Saturday - December 10th, will be another Volunteer Saturday

9am to 3 pm

Come join us 2323 South Galvez

The ladies can absolutely stay with the guys. Make no mistake about it! It's simply opportunity and exposure.

Pastor John picked up the chicken

November 17, 2011

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

In October we informed you that UIM was in dire need of funding to keep programming and staffing at current levels.  I am overjoyed to report that God has given us the money we needed to bring our budget back in the black! 

This confirmation has encouraged and energized our staff as we look to 2012 and everything that God will bring us as a part of his plan. 
With that news we are moving full speed ahead on the renovation of the “Porch”
 As we prepare to move full speed ahead on the renovation of our new center of hope here are some ways you can help:

Thanks again to all who gave and prayed for us.
In HIS Grip,
Pastor John

November 12,2011

"The Porch Report"

Our staff had a great week and the Friday Gumbo was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

We got to put in some extra time with the team this week. It was such a blessing for our staff. We finished the gutters, trim and doors this week , along with getting the studs up in the Nursery/ Toddler room. The facility is now closed in and as secure as we can make it until we get some lights in. The team was from Colorado and again had a pastor working right in the thick of things.

Please continue to pray for us as we move forward. We need everything- laborers, tools, finances, safety, discernment,etc.

Novenber 4,2011

"The Porch Report"

Visual Change...

His timing is always perfect!

This week , ten servants showed up from Minnesota. Several guys were contractors by trade. Originally , they had planned to come at another time. WOW! This week was spent installing new insulation, and new metal siding around the sanctuary/ multipurpose room.

It is simply incredible to watch God work things out with His people for His purpose. This team has been to New Orleans repeatedly since Katrina.

October 28,2011

"The Porch Report"

HE always brings the right people at the right time!

Demolition and Security of the facility were the focus this week

This week a foursome from Alabama came and did a lot of the "dirty work" with a huge servants heart.

They took of the old rusted metal, removed damagewd insulation, and tore down and cleaned bricks.

October 22,2011

"The Porch Report"

Teams are on the ground at Urban Impact & Castle Rock Community

We now have teams on the ground to start the process. This week teams from Nebraska and Marylandhave come in to assist us in final clean up, security, demolition , and brick salvage. We are securing the facility with the work we are doing. Hopefully and prayerfully this will stem the tide of break- ins and vandalism. God sends all kinds of laborers every week. Above in the sunglasses is Pastor Tim from Maryland.

Old friends just keep coming!

We removed and cleaned bricks, old conduit and wiring, plumbing fixtures, interior walls, etc.

October 10, 2011

"The Porch Report"

The Journey to May 1st has begun...

Yesterday , we finally witnessed the beginning of the " construction journey."

We started the actual process in late August of 2009 with prayer, then negotiations which is a testimony in itself. God gave us a minister who owned a salvage and demolition company to do the job at a much reduced fee from the other bids we had received. He showed up the morning we were making a decision on who to hire

October 4 , 2011

"The Porch"

Continues Forward

We Need Your Prayers!!

It is amazing how God has a perfect plan for everything, and it becomes a growth opportunity for us to follow Him and His will. We have been navigating through this process now for 25 months. Currently, we have home material conservationist group dismantling the interior of the two homes for materials to be re used in other renovation projects in the community. We are set to demolish the two house structures at the end of this week. By Tuesday, October 11th, the two homes should be demolished and removed. The first teams are due in October 15th.

We have filed for the building permits and the project cost should be completed by this Friday. God is so GOOD! As is customairly the case, we have a situation which has arisen which requires further investigation.. One of the sub contractors has raised a concern regarding the current condition of the sub surface cast iron sewer pipes. We are having them inspected via a sewer camera to assist use in the appropriate determination this next week.

We need your prayers that the sewer pipes are not cracked and / or damaged and do not require us to dig up all of the sub surface pipe which would cause significant cost and time delay to the project. In addition, please continue to pray for laborers, provisions in materials, equipment , and finances to keep moving forward. We would also appreciate your prayers for our staff and Pastor John through this process. Thank s to all of you who have said "yes" to partnering with us for what God has called us to. Your support has been a huge encouragement to us.

June 20 ,2011

ST. Monica's Project Taking Shape!

From this moment on, we will refer to this project as The" Building A Bigger Porch Project" or simply " The Porch." We are so excited, or as we say in New Orleans " We are Krunked" ( hyped, excited, juiced, etc.). We are moving forward with the building plans and permitting phase. In addition, we are beginning to clean out and remove all debris, trash, damaged materials, etc. Our goal is to have permits in place in August, and begin accepting volunteer construction / work teams beginning September 26th who want to partner with us in our vision quest here in Central City New Orleans. We invite you to consider joining with us in what God has called us to in this community and neighborhood. We will post updates about every week to ten days, so stay tuned. If you have any project questions contact Terry Sistrunk at terrysistrunk087@yahoo.com or if you want to make a team reservation contact Joan Hathaway at joanh@urbanimpact.org or at our office at 504-523-5556.

It is trulty a testimony to see how God has orchestrated this calling in His timinig and plan. He has shown us in so many ways, as it says in Jeremiah, the plans He has for this neighborhood and this ministry. Please continue to pray for us.

 

June 19 ,2011

Saying Good- Bye is never easy !

Our missionaries from Switzerland siad good -bye a couple of weeks ago. Serge and Tamara arrived from a mission in Africa the first week end of March and served with us for just over three months. While they were here, they served with such joy and passion and were a huge example and encouragement. Tamara worked with our development ministry and education tutoring and homework help ministries. While she was here, she and Wendy started a Graphics Design class for on Saturdays, exposing our youmg people to the basics.In addition, she worked withNOLA Transform , in the kitchen preparing meals.Serge worked with NOLA Taransform , leading teams in work projects. In addition, he was a huge blessing in gettting a number of repairs done around the ministry, as well as , building a few fences. What was such a blessing was not so much the "work" they did, but rather the attitude they did it with. They were true servants and such an blessing. We will miss them, but we know we will see them again. Thank you Tamara and Serge!!!!!

 

 

 June 14,2011

NOLAfusion !

NOLA Fusion, our summer ministry inative , in keeping with our VISION of Creating a Neighborhood Where Kids Can Ride Their Bikes..., is off and running. We had 75 high school missionaries and leaders in last week. Along with VBS - bible , crafts, sports, etc., we had afternoon prayer walks, basketball outreach,work projects at the St. Monica property we purchased, and three Challenge Circles. Along with Challenge Circles at the Melph and Calliope housing projects, we added one at Taylor Park.The Taylor Park Circle is going awesome. It is such a blessing. This spring , we made an intentional effort to have a significant presence at the park. We spent this spring partnering with the city and other non profits to get the park to a place where kids and families would want to go. We worked with our partners in getting a number of physical defeciencies corrected- we cut grass, painted fences, and their were four houses torn down by the Mayors office across the street.

In addition, we have been running afternoon Challenge Circles each week, along with afternoon basketball outreach. The city has opened the pool for the summer, etc. We are now bringing a daily presence of activity and fellowship, and we are already seeing the results.It is such a blessing to witness the impact and influence in changed lives. Let's praise God for all that he is doing.

 

 

 

 

We are starting to clean up St. Monicas with the teams that are coming in this summer. We have had several very good days with removing debris, trash, and damaged materials from the property. It is amazing how God sends the right people at the right time for His purpose. We had a contractor named Steve who directed the high school missionaries in removing the damaged suspended ceiling form the old cafeteria which will now be the new sanctuary/ multipurpode room. This dismatling will continue throughout the suimmer, so we can be ready for teams by ( New Date ) September 26th.

June 2,2011

Interns are in for the summer!

Our summer interns arrived last week, and they have been preparing at "boot camp" for the missionaries, neighborhood kids, and a full summer of ministry and opportunity to serve others. We are so excited they are here. Along with Tre , Joan , Dingo, and Jeremy who direct NOLAFusion for Urban Impact, these interns bring experience, excitement , and energy. Pray for them. God is going to do some incredible things with and through them while they are here.

From Left to Right: Fusion Director Tre, Tristen Fusion Adminitrator- Joan, Kyle ,Bitsy ,Derek, Jessie, Amy ,Evanda ,Jenna , Lead Intern- Eric , Emily ,Josh ,Alaia ,Andrew ,Lauren , and Fusion Asst. Directors - Dingo and Jeremy

May 31,2011

It is DONE!!!!!

Act of Sale for St. Monica's finally done!!!

"God is Good All the Time "

          After almost 2 years of negotiating, praying, seeking God's direction, navigation, and provision, we have signed the Act of Sale for St. Monica's Church. We have it! What a blessing it has been to walk in steps of faith to see how and what He had in His plan. God certainly works things out much differently than we do , and His way is always perfect. The journey to this point has been a desire to walk in obedience to His will. It has stretched our patience,their have been times of frustration, moments of uncertainty, but we always new if we just kept following Him, He would show us the path and plan He had for us.

What's Next ? We have finalized plans with the Architect, and hoping to file the project with the city permitting office by June 15th. We anticipate eight weeks for permitting. We plan to start with mission teams Monday, September 12th,2011. It is our goal to have the majority of the renovations completed with the partnership of churches and ministries from around the country. We will get to see once again God's hand and plan for Castle Rock Community Church and Urban Impact Ministries in Central City New Orleans. Won't you join us? You can contact Joan Hathaway to make your reservations at joanh@urbanimpact.org , or if you have any questions regarding the project, you can contact Terry Sistrunk at terrysistrunk087@yahoo.com . Please continue to pray for us. We are completely dependant on Him for our direction and provision in what we know and believe He has called us to at this time.

To God, be all of the honor , praise, and glory!

God Has Shown Us His Timining....!

To Him be all the Honor, Praise & Glory !!!!!

April 27,2011

Purchase Agreement Signed For St. Monica

          After almost 2 years of negotiating, we have finally signed a purchase agreement on the St. Monica Church and School Property.  If everything goes as planned, we will close on the property by the end of May. The property consists of an 11,000 sq. ft. school, a 4,000 sq. ft. cafeteria (which we will used for a multipurpose sanctuary), a 4,000 sanctuary (which will be used as our new youth center) and 2 other houses which will be torn down to add a playground, green space and a picnic shelter.
          Thank you all so very much for your prayers.  This will enables us to not only grow the ministry but more importantly increase our outreach to Central City New Orleans.  We will keep you informed as to the specific timeline.  It is our goal to start hosting teams for renovation around September 15th , 2011. Please continue to PRAY for us, the project, the laborers, and the act of sale at the end of May.