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 With
such a wonderful history, what is in store for
Calvary in a post-Katrina New Orleans? I am
convinced that our greatest opportunities to
continue to reach the Westbank lie ahead of us.
I feel that God has uniquely placed us in our
location, lightly damaged from the storm, and
with a service-oriented congregation that will
rise to the challenge to reach the Westbank.
As
mentioned above, Calvary is blessed with an
updated and functioning infrastructure. Our
plans to expand our campus with construction of
a new building were changed due to Katrina. God
provided the workers we needed to go ahead and
renovate our existing school building, which is
half way through its first school year. Very
soon the most heavily damaged building, the
Fellowship Hall, will be back in operation.
Calvary purchased a house next to the church on
Amazon Street, which has served as a home for
many mission groups who are visiting New
Orleans. Financially, we remain in a position of
no outstanding debt. This is a blessing that
many churches do not have.
Our congregation has gone through tremendous
changes. Many long-time Calvary members have
elected to leave the New Orleans area in our
post-Katrina world. But no sooner are you saying
goodbye to a long time Calvary member, then you
get to meet a new member at a small group
meeting or out pressure washing houses in the 9th
Ward. In the midst of many leaving our
congregation, our attendance and giving remains
as high as it was pre-Katrina. I am excited to
see how God is continuing to provide the workers
for the harvest! Make sure you take the time to
meet as many of our new members as possible, as
they are the future of our church.
As I look
to the future, just a few of the potential
opportunities for Calvary in the next 5 - 10
years are:
1. Expansion to include grades 9-12
at our school.
2. Opportunities to help rebuild New
Orleans with Project NOAH.
3. Partnering with other churches
who visit New Orleans for ministry
and rebuilding (utilizing our
Ministry House on Amazon Street and
RV park).
4. Addition of disaster relief
trailers, so that we can help others
as we were helped.
5. In-reach and outreach programs,
with thousands of contacts through
the SBC disaster relief efforts and
the Billy Graham Ministries.
Our future, as our past, lies in our love for
our Lord. Although we have been blessed with
talented staff and functioning buildings, this
is not what has made Calvary a special place.
Calvary is special because of its people. Our
difference is in the handshake, the hug, or that
phone call that comes in a time of need. As long
as we keep our focus clearly on our Lord and
Savior Jesus, the future is certain.
As
we prepare to search for our next Senior Pastor
and Music Minister, I look forward to the
direction God is planting in these men right
now. As we eagerly await the arrival of these
leaders, I encourage you to continue to do your
part to make the Lighthouse shine as bright as
possible.
In
His Service,
David
Brubaker
Chairman of the Deacons
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