Rebirth International

Mo Leverett Concert – Tomorrow Night

Posted on April 21st, 2011 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

Mo will be performing a concert in Slidell, Louisiana at Faith Bible Church April 22 (tomorrow night) at 7:00 p.m.

He will be performing songs off of his newest project “It’s Alright” as well as playing the old familiars. If you’re in the area – please come! It is a free concert.

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It’s Alright

Posted on April 7th, 2011 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

IT’S ALRIGHT – my most recent CD is done. I will be sending out pre-purchased copies within days. It will also be up on iTunes next week. I have a new booking agent – Mrs. Dayna Dehaven – please feel free to respond to this letter if you are interested in booking me for a CD release concert in your area.

I am doing well. My heart is in a good place. My kids are prospering. Ellen has found employment which is encouraging. I also am moving forward with my own devious plans – to do what I have been uniquely called and gifted to do for the rest of my life – more information to come in later letters.

The work of Rebirth continues. Ministries are being planted in Mobile, Ocala and Dallas areas – which I have the privilege of encouraging. I’m still working to establish The D3 Institute for International Development under the direction of The U.S. Center for World Mission in Gainesville, FL.

Thank you for your friendship and many encouragements. God is so good.

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Can You Help?

Posted on January 31st, 2011 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

I need your special assistance.

I am working on developing an extensive business plan for my music – including the infrastructure necessary to assemble a consortium of artists who are committed to a similar vision for their art as mine – music supporting mission – in the poet-prophet motif. I’ve met with a management group in Nashville and we are confident that we can make a go of this. I’m excited about this opportunity and trust the Lord’s leading and blessing of this undertaking.

Many of you have expressed interest in seeing me get focused on maximizing these gifts in a larger way. Here’s your chance to help me put feet to that dream.

The work that we do (strategic promotion and marketing, booking) right now will not begin to bare fruit until about 4 to 6 months from now. I need to build a financial bridge to get me from here to there. There are a few ways that you can help me do this:

1. Pre-purchase my new CD – IT’S ALRIGHT – by making a donation into our PayPal account at Rebirth International. Make sure that you specify your desire to have the CD. Any donation $15 or above will do. You can go to our website at www.myrebirth.org to make that contribution. Thank you ahead of time for your help in this regard!

2. Generously consider scheduling and hosting a CD-Release concert for me between now and the Summer – in your home or church. You would be helping me, the cause of my providing for the Leverett family, the vision of Rebirth International and my music career – as well as providing for your family and friends a night of story-telling in song.

3. Prayerfully consider investing in this new music venture – which as always will multiply your gift for the cause of advancing the Gospel in Urban Missions stateside and worldwide.

You may respond to this e-mail communication or call me directly at 850.491.8800 if you are interested in any of the above options.

Thank you for your interest in and support of God’s continuing call on my life. I prayerfully endeavor to make every penny you invest to have eternal significance and consequence.

1 comment.

Merry Christmas to Friends of Rebirth

Posted on December 22nd, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

I wish everyone in my Rebirth family a very Merry Christmas. I hope this time is blessed for you and your families as you celebrate the Lord’s favor through Advent.

Writing letters is always a severely limited mode of communication. I’ve never felt that more than now. I cannot possibly convey to you the breadth of my emotions or activity during this time. Yet I will attempt to do so and with all things considered – I am well and in the Lord’s affectionate arms and provision.

The past 6 months, as you know, have been very difficult on so many levels – yet the Lord preserves His choicest grace for our times of deepest need. He has provided significant signposts of His ongoing presence, love and grace. I will face challenging days ahead – my hope remains in Him.

During these last months, I’ve also been working on a few specific initiatives. I’m thankful for the sense of purpose – during a time where self-loathing and despair could easily become a habit.

First – I’m consulting with the US Center for World Mission in the launching of the D3 Institute for International Development – a graduate level training apparatus for missions. The goal of the D3 Institute is to train next-generation disciples for a lifetime of mission. The program will start in earnest in the Fall of 2011. I’m thankful for the trust that this team of amazing people has placed in me by asking for my help. My ongoing role in this is uncertain, but conversations are being had regarding a more permanent partnership between Rebirth, the D3 Institute and the US Center for World Mission.

I’m also working on a new CD project entitled “It’s Alright.” I am recording this collection of 14 songs in Nashville with a producer friend named Mondo Grimes. It will be sparsely produced and raw. I am exploring the role that my music will continue to play in the next phase of my life and with Rebirth as I meet with some music business people in Nashville over the next couple of weeks. Please pray for these meetings and be gearing up to purchase this CD once it comes out – probably in February.

The third initiative is the writing of a book. I have had a number of people encouraging me to use this time in my life to finally get this done. While it’s difficult to muster the motivation and confidence to do so – my daughter Maggie has finally pushed me over the top with this text message which came to me out of the blue about a month ago now…

She is 14 years old and she wrote emphatically: “I will stop speaking to you if you don’t start writing a book called The Poverty Mandate…I believe the whole family backs you up on this. You are like no other. You will walk in a room and people adore you before they even know what you’re worth and once they see that – they are blown away. You have the best lyrics in the world – I believe they are THE BEST. Your words need to be written in stone but all I’m asking is on paper. You do it in your songs already. I will read that book twice – and over and over. Make it long – this will be the hardest and most humbling and successful experience. And you have waited too long to write that book. No one is like you. Show them that. Your words will be remembered forever – like every time you talk about God you always renew me in Him – like I see Him when you speak and when you sing. I don’t know anyone who could do that every time they talk. You have A WEEK to get started on this – if you don’t…no talking…no nothing – just trying to help you. How can you tell me not to waste my artistic talent…when you are wasting yours?”

So…as you can imagine – I have started writing a book…and I didn’t wait a week to do so. She is checking up regularly on my progress.

I am enjoying the holidays with the kids who are with me during these two weeks. I am living in Ocala, FL – in the care of Good Shepherd Presbyterian church – and trying to discern next steps including where I should strategically locate more permanently. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement.

I hope you all are having a most blessed holiday. It is always an encouragement to know the deep care of the body of Christ.

2 comments.

Asking for Prayer

Posted on July 12th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

This is a letter that is harder to write than it is to read.

After 24 years of marriage, my wife Ellen has made the difficult decision to divorce me. I have resigned from my pastoral assignment at CenterPoint Church in Tallahassee. I will be relocating to Nashville temporarily to get my feet under me and to rebuild my life. I will continue to do work through Rebirth – urban ministry consulting, teaching, conducting internships, speaking and concerting. I will be seeking alternative sources of income for what I’m unable to generate through contributions or concert fees and love offerings.

Please pray for us during this difficult time. Pray for Ellen and my four amazing children.

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Driving to Nashville – Working it

Posted on June 24th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

I am driving to Nashville, TN to exhibit at the PCA’s General Assembly on behalf of Rebirth International. Here are some of the things I’m hoping to accomplish while there:

1. To raise support for our ministry endeavors
2. To recruit next-generation urban ministry leadership
3. To secure future speaking or concert engagements
4. To hang out with the incomparable Nate Larkin and to observe his men’s ministries in Franklin, TN
5. To explore some music distribution possibilities for Justice Road Productions
6. To unload some of my CDs which are heretofore needlessly gathering dust.

Please pray for me that my time away from home and church proves to be very fruitful!

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Between Birmingham and the Big Bend

Posted on June 3rd, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

As you know – the purpose of Rebirth is to advance the cause of the Gospel in urban poverty here and around the world.  The calling God has placed on my life remains certain in these uncertain times.

I am presently in a Red Roof Inn in Montgomery, AL awakened and heading to the East side of Birmingham where one of my prized interns is contemplating the launching of a new Rebirth effort. I am coming up to help him get his bearings – to assist him in developing an initial strategy and to sell it to a base of supporters in the area. God is on the move.

I will return later tonight to lead a men’s retreat for my beloved church here in the Big Bend (Tallahassee).

The Spring was a flurry of activity – in addition to hosting an intern for the year – in addition to pastoring a church through transition – I had numerous speaking and singing engagements which help keep Rebirth afloat financially and advance its cause in recruitment of next-generation urban missionaries. I also spent a large portion of time consulting with indigenous leaders and staffers at my former ministry who intend to relaunch the ministry they enjoyed at Desire Street.  Please pray for their success and encouragement.

I will be teaching at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando in January and speaking in Omaha, NE in the Fall as well as other assignments. Due to lack of funds I’ve been unable to fulfill some commitments – like visiting Shane and Kristen Fast who are leading the Rebirth work in East St. Louis – and traveling to Columbia to meet with a missionary friend I had committed to help there.

I must dedicate some days and hours to a frontal attack on the fund-raising effort. Perhaps the summer will afford me that opportunity.  So if you are interested in hosting a concert – even a house concert of potential friends to Rebirth – don’t hesitate to call me. There is much availability in my schedule in the summer and fall!

CenterPoint Church has endured a difficult transition from founding pastor to me. We’ve renewed and crystalized our commitment to the South East quadrant of Tallahassee to build an incarnational mosaic of grace – a church wholly committed to seeing the word and work of the gospel planted in the life of this community. Pray for the Lord’s clear direction over our exciting work here.

Our family is doing well. Lindsay will be a full-time college student in the Fall and moved out of the house. Lacey is planning to duel enroll at TCC as a home-schooler. Maggie is headed to high school and Manning to middle school.  Manning is enjoying playing All-Star Baseball right now – and his Dad is enjoying being his form of transportation and fan club. Ellen is taking coursework to prepare her for a new career in medical information systems – she’s such a diligent student and is excited about moving into this new phase of life. We’re all doing well – prospering in love.

Hope to see you soon in your neck of the woods or mine!  Many blessings…

1 comment.

It matters not

Posted on May 27th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

I am approaching 45 years of life.  I am not yet old – but I am no longer young.

I have seen times of blessing I didn’t deserve.  I have experienced hardship I did not expect.  I received things I did not earn.  I suffered my share of loss.  I experienced times of circumstantial bliss.  I grieved the realities of death and disintegration.  But it matters not.

I saw the Lord at work in my life.  I’ve seen His hand of blessing withdrawn.  I’ve experienced the blessing of friendship and the betrayal of brothers.  It matters not.

I’ve known the height of accomplishment and the disappointment of personal failure.  It matters not.

I’ve trusted.  I’ve feared.  It matters not.

I know the love of Jesus Christ for my soul, the bread He offers at no cost – which satisfies eternally.  My name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  All else matters not.

For the love of Jesus, I will strive for and give priority to the spiritual connection with the Father which He purchased for me through his sufferings.  When I feel pain in this painful world, I will find the place secured for me in His arms, on His lap, in his tenderness and care.  I will use terms of endearment with Him – ABBA and everlasting Father.  I will believe the things He says about me – that I am fearfully and wonderfully made – that I am precious to Him.

For the love of Jesus, I will believe in His sovereign and overarching plan for my life – even when it doesn’t square with my own perspective and preference.  I will surrender to Him in times of blessing and in times of want and woundedness.  I will honor Him and count it a privilege to suffer with Him and for His cause.

For the love of Jesus, I will give what remaining years, days and breaths He grants me in service to Him.

But if all I am allowed to do is to love Him – it is enough.  If all that I have to bring is praise for Him, it is enough.  If all I have to give is to cherish Him – it is enough.

In life there are many longings, many strivings, many desires of the heart.  But it matters not. To know Him, to be known by Him – it is enough.

2 comments.

The Walk to Emmaeus – and an update as well

Posted on May 4th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

After Jesus rose there is this story – a story of two men on a road of discovery.  This story is most compelling, not so much in it’s riveting detail, but in the manner in which it portrays the risen Savior.  The story is of two disciples, Cleopas and an un-named disciple – likely Luke himself.  These men were on their way from Jerusalem to a village named Emmaeus when they were visited by the Lord – but the Lord, while He walked with them, kept His true identity hidden.  The reason for such is a mystery – at least to me.

But this fact gives us a clue into the modus operandi of God.  He often walks with us when we are unware.

To say that these men were distraught would be an understatement beyond measure.  Their whole lives had come apart at the seams.  The hopes that they had pinned onto the person of Christ were great.  And the crucifixion of Jesus brought those hopes to a grinding end, a disappointing finality.

But he meets them, bodily resurrected from the dead, on that road and patiently hears their story – enduring their spiritual blindness.  Or should we say that they were kept unaware and these disciples patiently endured the intentional invisibility of Jesus?

Often I’ve found myself on a dark road of life.  And I do not feel the presence of Jesus – I feel, rather, His conspicuous and painful absence.  However, what I feel can be misleading.  His own words would recommend to us that He neither leaves us or forsakes us.  No, He is with us on every dark road – He only makes His presence scarecely felt for some hidden yet redemptive purpose.

It is our aloneness that leads us to cry out.  It is our desperation for Him that eventually pulls Him out of hiding and refreshes our eyes with awareness of His love, His truth and grace.

Back to the story…after a long journey, over dinner, Jesus opens their eyes not only to the scriptures that point to the necessity of His atoning work for redemption sake, but also finally that He is in fact the Christ – risen from the dead.  Can you imagine the excitement these men felt to see Jesus face to face victorious over death itself?

And almost as soon as they recognize Him, He disappears.  What the…?  Why would Jesus finally show Himself and then vanish?

It is a painful thing for God to withdraw from us or to fail to disclose Himself fully to us in our time of need.  Nevertheless, a glimpse of Him is enough to leave our hearts burning and desiring consummation.

Because of the resurrection of Christ we have the full assurance of His presence on our dark roads. Shrouded as He may be in the interim, He is present, accessible and with resurrection power.  Even when we feel we do not walk with Him…He walks with us and that is the essence of our Christianity.

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It’s been a great month at Rebirth despite the fact that I’ve been wiped out by a weird virus that has lingered for over a month.  I’ve performed at the Grace Men’s Conference and met the keynote speaker Nate Larkin with whom I’ve developed a bond.  He heads up The Samson Society and has invited me up to do some co-writing with some Nashville songwriters.

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Mo’s Latest CD now on I-Tunes!

Posted on March 29th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

Ask and you shall receive – Mo’s most recent CD project “Shards of Light” is now posted on I-Tunes!  As resources allow – we’ll put Mo’s other works up as well.

Mo is in New Orleans a few days this week continuing in his consulting work to revive indigenous led ministries there.  He will be in Gainesville, FL on Monday and Tuesday of next week teaching a class on Community Development at Grace United Methodist Church and The Christian Study Center for the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Group.

On April 10th, 11th Mo will perform a concert and be key-note speaker at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody, AL at their annual Missions Conference.

The following week – Mo will be leading worship for the Grace & Men’s Conference at Willow Creek Church in Orlando, Florida.

Please pray for Mo during his travels and pray especially that God would raise a heap of support for our important ministry during these travels.

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