Moving forward…looking back…

Posted on August 17th, 2008 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

I was waiting for the phone call from Centerpoint Church. They were meeting to consider my candidacy as their pastor. We waited with a subdued anticipation, an anxious excitement.

You see, Centerpoint is an extraordinary church.  Its young.  But its on track.  They are hungry to be fed.  And desire to be led.  They are passionate for the city.  They are burdened for the poor.  They are theologically astute while relationally inviting.  While Ellen and I have not felt generally called to pastor, we nevertheless feel led to do so here at Centerpoint.

The phone rang. It was George Angeletti - one of my key leaders and former staff members at Desire Street in New Orleans. I thought about ignoring the call in case the church was trying to call at the same time. But I didn’t.

“Coach, I just got word…Corey Paul has been shot in the chest.”

I was stunned and immediately began to pray.

15 minutes later the church calls…”Welcome to Tallahasse! Welcome to Centerpoint! We’ve voted you to be our new pastor!”

A number of folks came teeming into the place where we are temporarily staying, to celebrate the good news. Then the next phone call from George…

“Coach, Corey is dead.”

The prospect of this transition is bittersweet - the sweet thought of a new beginning, in a precious fellowship of believers with a Kingdom focus is mixed with the bitter pill of leaving the city I gave 18 1/2 years of my life to in ministry. But I didn’t know how bitter the departure would really be.

Corey Paul was one of my favorite persons at Desire Street. I spent more time with him than just about anyone. I helped him to get off to college in Bakersfield, CA and then to New Mexico State University. I visited him numerous times. I loved him. I introduced him to Christ and to salvation through Him.

After Katrina, we lost touch. And now he’s gone. He is now with His heavenly Father.

And so our grieving has tempered the celebration. The gospel makes it possible to rejoice in the worst of times, as well as the best, but it seems that my joy is always tempered with sorrow. On this side of the Jordan, we will never be fully at rest. Nevertheless we rejoice in God’s provision and leading in our lives.  I have wept over the tragic loss of Corey, while I simultaneously rejoice over God’s leading us to Tallahassee.

Over the last few weeks more than one friend has urged me to read Jer. 29, where the Lord’s plans to prosper is clearly stated. I am trusting Him to do so. After Katrina we have suffered much loss. We have struggled to find the path laid out for us. Our best intentions to make a way have been thwarted by one circumstance or another.

And now that we have taken this step of faith toward Tallahassee, our heart’s remain broken for the city of New Orleans.

Corey’s sister is the director of administration for Rebirth. She is my trusty side-kick. She is delightful, competent and grieving. Would you please pray for Christian and her whole family. Pray for all of us.

Rebirth’s replication and consultation efforts have continued to prosper even as our finances have dwindled. (I hope that you will pray and consider what you can do to help in this regard. If only 200 of our friends gave $100 or more, we would be close to returning to financial health.)

The effort in New Orleans will continue to be led by Richard Johnson who I hope to visit every 4 to 6 weeks. Richard and Christian, as well as many others, despite these present struggles, will attempt to keep the fire burning.

Shane and Kristen Fast are working hard for East St. Louis. He is in the fund-development phase and should relocate to the city by January.

There is a sweet couple considering a call to Prichard, AL - just north of Mobile.

There are other things happening which I am not at liberty to discuss presently. But just know the work is worth the investment. I believe that within the next 10 to 15 years there could be as many as a 100 new works bringing rebirth across our country and beyond.

Pray for us as we transition to Tallahassee.  Pray for Rebirth to continue to prosper the cities across the nation.

God is faithful - in the worst of times and in the best of times. He is faithful - in death and in life.  Our eyes are on Him.

10 comments.

Leon

Comment on August 18th, 2008.

Corey was a great guy, and its so sad to hear that his life got cut short over a whole bunch of nothing! As you read the internet articles on the incident, they portray Corey as a monster, but he was a whole hearted man. He will be greatly missed. The news spread quickly to all of his ex-teammates at New Mexico State. And everyone has the exacct same reaction.. Wow, not CP… Another great one is lost…

Decoya

Comment on August 18th, 2008.

We all love you Corey, regardless of what any article says, you were always real. We knew who you really were, i love you C.P.

tony lukins

Comment on August 18th, 2008.

I agree with Leon. Corey was a great person and a joy to be around. He made everyone around him smile. He probably shouldn’t have done what he did, but he didn’t deserve to have his life ended so prematurely. I’m sure his girlfriend knows she killed a good person and she has to live with that. I’m going to pray for his family and reflect on our time together in college. I will pray for the young lady who shot him as well.

Cheryl Ingram

Comment on August 19th, 2008.

Corey was a great friend. I was very close to him at New Mexico State and we kept in touch after he left Las Cruces. We haven’t talked for about 6 months but I will miss him greatly and I am sorrowed by his loss. I just want his family to know that my prayers are with him and his family and I will do my best to try and donate something toward his funeral efforts. To the mother of Corey, you raised a great son who touched the heart of many. Please know that God is with you and I will always remember Corey for the great person he was and the impact he had on the lives he touched.

Monique Leyba

Comment on August 19th, 2008.

CP defiantly was an amazing person and a great friend to many people. He was caring and a joy to be around. After hearing the news I couldn’t believe that it was true, the CP I new could not have done something like that. But only the Lord knows what place he was in his life and the truth about what lead up to his last day. For my self I will remember CP for the great person I had the opportunity to get to know. My prayers go out to Corey and his family.

Mike Smith

Comment on August 20th, 2008.

Corey was a great guy. I lived with Corey for a years he was like a brother to me even thou we had our difference at times. He was a great friend and I will miss him. The internet makes him seem as if he was a crazed man. I can not speak on that story because the only people who know the truth are the people involved but he was a great friend to me. Even thou they say it is justified she has to answer to GOD. My prayers go out to Corey and his family.

Cheryl, Leon give me a call 303-591-6119

Sean G

Comment on August 20th, 2008.

I asked myself why did this happen to such a young and spirited young man. We all know the real corey ( c.p) no matter what the newspaper articles are saying. He touched so many lives, whether it was the N.o accent, or laughing about LSU vs Alabama football, i enjoyed talking to him. We all have great memories of him..To the family of Corey… Our prayers go out to you and may god bless you and keep you.

isaac johnson

Comment on August 21st, 2008.

I too know CP from New Mexico State.He was a soft spoken, quiet soul. He was always positive about everything. I can’t believe he is no longer with us because of a young ladies free will to take his life. This news isn’t sitting right in my heart based on what I read versus the Corey I knew. Corey has affected her in a way that she felt it was an even trade….her emotional scars for his life. CP will be missed and my prayers go out to his family. I pray that you find it in your hearts to forgive her. Never hold hate and anger in your hearts.

Shal P

Comment on August 25th, 2008.

Well i got around to putting something on paper… Well this is for CP from a fellow AGGIE to another. I understand how life my pull us in many different directions at times, but we all find our way back and i am so sorry that it had to be this way. We talk about the CP we Knew, BUt i want to tell you about the CP i know!!!!! Really good man with a really big heart. I will leave you with this… an action always causes a reaction…… CP we all know that your struggle is over now. You are home with OUR FATHER. Love you and you are always missed Go AGGIE

kenton

Comment on March 2nd, 2009.

ive tried to do this comment at least 3 times and im still like wow.. i can believe this. its wierd because ive been trying to track cory down for the past three years. we were like best friends in new mexico. we were very much the same and alot of people would tell us that. he would still call and check on my son after 5 years .. thats just the kind of guy he was. jus wanna tell you i love you dog.. he would want me to put no homo.. lol but my heart goes out to his family i know its harder for you guys.. cp9 forever

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