1st and Derbigny by Elizabeth Martin          The corner of First and Derbigny. To those of us here, this intersection brings up a variety of thoughts, emotions, memories, struggles and praises. A hotbed for drug activity and prostitution, this corner is now being won for the Kingdom by God's grace and people's perseverance. A concentrated effort has been placed here to befriend the neighbors, whether they are drug dealers or just ordinary people trying to get by. Until I came here I had always had a picture in my head of how drug dealing happened and looked, but that has all been changed. I cannot count on both hands the number of drug deals I have witnessed in broad daylight in the middle of the street. But because God is good, I can also count on both hands the number of people I've seen prayed with and for in broad daylight in the middle of the street. Each Thursday members of Castle Rock Community Church venture into the neighborhood to "love on" people. Each Friday the hot dog truck rolls into the intersection to hand out free hot dogs, chips, cold drinks and so much more. The food has given us a way to connect with our neighbors. In fact, the drug dealers across the street are often the first people in line. It amazes me that they are so polite and friendly. But perhaps it shouldn't, because after all, they are people just like me who need relationships and love. In addition, we now have a four-plex on the opposite corner from the dealers and they have been assured that their illegal behavior is not acceptable in the neighborhood. These apartments will house Christians who will be lights to this neighborhood and who will provide the example and set the standard. God is moving mightily to reform this neighborhood into a place that is safe to be both day and night. A neighborhood where he is glorified and a neighborhood where kids can ride their bikes.			UIM's Current newsletter: Transformations is now available.
CRCC Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal by Elizabeth Martin   The annual Castle Rock Community Church Thanksgiving dinner was again a success and we even enjoyed warm weather for the event. We saw some familiar faces, but even more exciting were the many new faces we welcomed. The dinner was held on our basketball court under a tent decorated especially for the event and almost every seat was filled by the end of the evening. Neighbors enjoyed all the classic Thanksgiving dishes, not the least of which was Miss Bertha's famous cornbread stuffing. Each year the dinner serves as an opportunity to invite neighbors to be in and around the church and it gives us an opportunity to build relationships with those we might not meet on a day-to-day basis. Each table had a church member present who was able to interact with our neighbors and some relationships were formed while others were strengthened. Our choir and Miss Bertha provided a time of worship and Pastor John gave a brief message. Dinner guests were especially excited about our door prize giveaway at the end of the evening, but we are very excited about the 10 people that made first-time or renewed commitments to Christ and we continue to pray that they would stand firm in their faith and that we would find ways to walk alongside them on their journey.
Tyrone is shown here with recent fun pictures from our two youth nights. Youth Ministry Back on Track by Elizabeth Martin More than two years after Hurricane Katrina, the youth ministry at Urban Impact is getting back on track.   For the past year jr. high and senior high students have been meeting as a large group but recently the numbers have increased to the point where the groups could again split and resume many of their pre-Katrina activities.     Prior to the storm, youth nights would draw upwards of 40 students, especially in the middle school age range. Now there may only be 15 on a given night but youth director Tyrone Christoph said there is a "pretty regular crowd."     Smaller numbers have given staff a greater opportunity to be out in the neighborhood interacting with kids and recruiting from our two primary housing projects, the Melph and the Calio.   In addition, Tyrone is also volunteering at KIPP, a local charter school. One of the goals of his presence and work there is to bring those students directly into the junior high program and then funnel them into the high school group so they have a solid foundation by the time they are 18.     The high school group is not only doing Bible study but each week they take an offering and twice a year the students are able to decide on a way to serve others with that money.     "We ask them how they want to make an impact," said Tyrone. "In December they are going to feed the homeless. It's cool to see them excited about it. "     In addition, those students who want to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ are involved in 2nd Ward, a discipleship group for high school students. The goal is to equip them to be able to put into practice the things that they are learning.     As the groups continue to grow in numbers and maturity, Tyrone said his biggest prayer requests are to see the students living out their faith in their daily lives and for financial provision for the continuing needs of the ministry.
Taking the Gospel to the Streets by Elizabeth Martin Our third ministry-owned home is well on its way to completion but greater still is the impact our presence is having on the neighborhood. A hotbed for drug activity and violence, the intersection of First and Derbigny is becoming a friendlier and brighter spot in our neighborhood as work teams have been working for several months to complete the project. The property and badly damaged fourplex was purchased by Urban Impact after Hurricane Katrina to be used as a ministry house. As it leaned a great deal, professionals worked to straighten the frame and then work teams set to the task of reframing, repainting and repairing the unit which has been named "the quad." With the constant presence of work teams, neighbors have begun to open up and come around more often to talk and pray with volunteers. In addition, Urban Impact staff and members of Castle Rock Community Church have started taking to the streets every Thursday night to love on neighbors, build relationships and pray. Last month a work team from New York City hosted a cookout for the neighborhood during lunchtime and because of their willingness to reach out, four people came to know the Lord. This part of our neighborhood continues to be a focus and a prayer request as we seek to rebuild our neighborhood by infusing it with the love and good news of Jesus.