Have you been looking for us?

Posted on October 11th, 2006 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: leverett family, ministry updates.

The LeverettsAfter Hurricane Katrina many changes have occured in my life and ministry. After helping DSM to survive the devastation and relocate its headquarters and operations, it became necessary for me to do some work and reparations in my own personal life and family after 16 years of ministry in the Desire Community. There are times when unresolved issues and personal neglect catch up with you and require of you a radical self-examination and renewed commitment to spiritual healing and growth. I am very thankful to the board of Desire Street for extending to me the necessary time and support for this process.

Upon returning from my sabbatical the board felt it necessary to take Desire Street Ministries into a new direction and with new leadership, and so with much reluctance, disapointment and sorrow I resigned. I have many fond memories, many valuable experiences and much personal enrichment for the privilege of serving the Desire Community through DSM. I am happy that DSM is continuing its effort after the storm and I am praying that God will bless, preserve and expand its efforts.

I am forming Rebirth International with the intent to continue in the calling of God on my life to present the word and work of the gospel of Christ in New Orleans and beyond. The effort to build an organization from scratch once again was not what I had desired but my family and I still feel passionately called to the revitalization of urban pockets of poverty in New Orleans and world-wide. To that end we have committed ourselves and solicit your continued support.

Will you keep us in your prayers and stay in touch with us as we are continually seeking the will of God in these matters. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to talk further.

7 comments.

Andrew

Comment on October 25th, 2006.

I am excited to see what God will continue to do in and through you, as you continue to serve Him. Blessings in Christ! Andrew

Tim Wedding

Comment on October 27th, 2006.

Mo and Ellen–I’m excited for God’s new direction in your lives! Your family has had an amazing impact on ministry in New Orleans–with ripple effects far beyond. I know personally you’ve changed the way I view the world and see my “neighbor”. Its always a mystery how God choses to use us and what path he’s leading us down, but what a great thrill it is. I’m excited to watch the next phase of your lives and ministry. I’ll pray for you to have wisdom, discernment, and energy (!) as you head down this road.

Julie Thompkins

Comment on October 28th, 2006.

You don’t know me but after countless hours of listening to your music, keeping up with your ministry through reading the website, and praying for you and your family, I feel like I know you. You came to our church a couple years ago while you were in St. Louis for a teaching weekend at Covenant Seminary. Your words helped inspire our inner city tutoring ministry to expand the ages and number of children we work with regularly. I know God will continue to use you in powerful ways. My family will continue to pray for yours as I am sure this has been a very difficult journey.

Mike Land

Comment on December 27th, 2006.

Mo, I am so pleased to have found you again. Your Brookhaven family has been in prayer for you and Ellen these past few months. We’re anxious to hear more of this new ministry. A plate of Bowie barbeque still awaits you. All our love.

Betsy

Comment on May 20th, 2007.

Mo, you came to Washington DC a few years ago and your meesage about reaching out to the poor was a true wake up call. I grew up in the Episcopal Church but never heard the Gospel until I went to college. At 18, I was stunned by the grace of God and His gift to us on the Cross. Since your visit, I have once again been stunned by God’s amazing mercy. I have been a Christian for 25 years and think I may finally get it. It is not the Christian’s sanitized version of the American dream that we are called by God to seek… My husband, four children and I are leaving the suburbs for the inner city. Though I am scared to death, I am confident that we will find His grace waiting for us there.
I am hoping to start a Christian school in the next year. I have been praying for you and your family and was grateful to find where you have landed. May His peace and mercy abound in your lives. Thank you for your faithfulness in calling the Church to its true priorities!

Patty Fultz (fka Appleton)

Comment on May 30th, 2007.

Ellen & Mo,
We at Trinity Church in Jackson, MS have been wondering what y’all were up to! I was hoping Ellen would revive her Christmas newsletter so I could find out. I’m thankful your web address was posted in the last Desire Street newsletter.

The days since seminary have been filled with adventures – both difficult and sweet – for both of us. There’s NOTHING that can take the place of the peace of God when you’re walking with Him! How glorious He is! May He continue to grant you His peace and grace as you live out His will for you in New Orleans!

P.S. I guess it’s been 4 or 5 years since I’ve seen your kids. They are all beautiful/handsome!

Angela

Comment on July 16th, 2007.

Mo and the Leverett family,

It made me cry with a mixture of joy and sadness (for all y’all have been through) to discover your new ministry and what you guys are doing now, through, I believe, and article in World Magazine. Prior to that I did not know what had happened to y’all, and am so thrilled to hear what the Lord is doing in your lives. The weekend workshop I went to at DSM in the Fall of 2003 affected me profoundly, and I have continued to follow your work since then and to explore the possibility of a call to urban ministry. I just completed my Master’s at Covenant and was disappointed not to have an opportunity to take your week-long class, Mo, during the 3 years I was there-quite the uprooting time for you and your family, so no wonder the class wasn’t offered during that period. But God has used the teaching from your workshop to further ignite in me a passionate desire to serve Him in the areas of justice and mercy issues, whether that is through urban ministry and racial reconciliation efforts in the Church or through involvement with international justice issues, such as the modern-day slave trade. Thank you for following the Call and for the inspiration, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you and your family have been to me and so many others. Keep the faith, keep up the good work, and keep being revolutionaries for the cause of Christ. Many blessings in Christ!

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