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Calling all Summer Interns…
Posted on January 27th, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
Rebirth International will conduct its second annual summer internship during the month of July, 2010 and is accepting applications immediately. It is our hope to limit the number of interns to no more than 12 qualified individuals.
The objective of the internship is to inspire in each intern a biblical world view towards the social and historical construct of poverty, and to provide strategic ministry experience and exposure to viable and proven ministry models in communities of severe need.
Each intern will interact directly with inner-city youth through tutoring while serving the ministry here in other practical ways. More importantly the intern will be under the teaching and pastoral ministry of Rebirth Founder and Director, Mo Leverett. This internship will revolutionize the life of the intern - and inspire each individual toward a life of service to the least of these - Christ’s brethren.
* The cost will be $2,000
* The location will be Tallahassee with field trips to New Orleans
* The duration will be the month of July
Those who are interested can respond to this blog for more information. Please give us your contact information so that we can get back to you quickly. After you express interest, an application will be sent for you to fill out and send back to us for consideration. Final decisions will be made concerning applications by April 1st. Deadlines for applications will be March 15th.
Please spread the word.
Hallowed be Thy Name…
Posted on January 21st, 2010 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
To hallow something is the same as to sanctify, or to consecrate. However, we are not capable in reality to hallow the name of God. We acknowledge that it is already, apart from our acknowledgment, hallowed. In the model prayer we are being urged to confess that praiseworthiness of God’s name not because He needs us to do so, but because in so doing, we are edified and put into the right perspective regarding the true arrangement of things under His Sovereign care.
We are privileged by invitation to pronounce it so. But we add nothing in that pronouncement to it’s magnificence or glory. The Name of God is independently hallowed.
When we praise the Name of God - we are in essence praising God Himself, whose infinitely manifold attributes are summarized by His Name. It matters not by which biblical name we call Him - each name is a window into His infinite greatness.
And every utterance or collection of utterances regarding the glories of God are never thorough - never a satisfactory summary of any part of God. In other words, our praise of God is always a severe understatement.
With regard to our character it could be said that every criticism is an understatement. Because our character, or lack thereof, requires the sacrifice of Christ for it’s redemption and sanctification. As a Christian we admit our depravity - deep enough to require the atoning sacrifice of God Himself.
But God on the other hand is to be forever praised - not because He needs it, but because in His essence He is infinitely hallowed and because His act of redeeming us is utterly mysterious and wonderful.
Therefore, what our Lord is inviting us to in this model prayer is the gift and privilege to praise God - who is our Father.
“Pastor,” one of my congregants stated, “I am not a happy, clappy Christian!” In this statement, my friend was declaring his preference in style of worship. He’s not into the hype of certain styles of worship. But is it really possible to “hype” God? I too prefer a more subdued, reflective - even pensive style of worship. But honestly, upon reflection, if we are to be honest in the presence of God - given His grandeur and glory - is inhibition even appropriate?
I think it was Shakespeare who said, “What’s in a name?”
Well, in the name of our Lord is all holiness and redemptive love. Can we agree to praise Him? Can we praise Him with everything at our disposal in a manner in which His rich attributes and affections toward us deserve? Can we praise Him in song - and with our lives? For every breath we waste is regrettable in light of His great redemptive passion for us.
Shards of Light - It’s HERE!
Posted on December 19th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
Shards of Light, is now purchaseable on line. If you do buy it in the next day or so, I will do my best to get it out before Christmas. Go to our music website, and buy a copy or more. All the proceeds are a resource for our urban ministry movement.
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas Y’all
Posted on December 15th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
The Leveretts have moved into our new home in Tallahassee, just in time for Christmas. It’s a tight squeeze but I just left Ellen as she was putting up pictures and such - so she’s a happy camper.
There’s quite a bit going on with Rebirth right now. I have many copies of Shards of Light - my latest CD - but I’m having difficulty getting it on line to sell. I have an administrator raising her support to help me with these and many other tasks - she’s a whiz - so pray for her success! There are two other persons raising their support to come on staff with Rebirth in Tallahassee. We’re excited about that.
I will be spending a week in New Orleans over New Years and hanging out with the ministry team there. I delayed the trip to Columbia until January, due to the dynamics of moving my family at the beginning of December.
I just finished a paper for the Doctor of Ministry class I took at Reformed Theological Seminary this past summer. I’m trying to decide whether or not I can afford to take another in January.
Shane and Kristen Fast are doing well in East St. Louis. Eric Stites is going to seminary and plans to launch a new Rebirth work upon completion. There’s stuff brewing in other places which I’m not at liberty to discuss in this forum, but I’m so pleased to see the Lord at work. My sense is that there will be much more activity in the coming years as things build and grow exponentially.
Pastoring Centerpoint over this past year has been an adventure and a time of growth for me. We’re enjoying ourselves as the church is made up of some extraordinary people. I really don’t deserve to be their leader, but am very thankful nonetheless. I’m quite sure that they chose the most unusual pastor possible for the job. I’m enjoying the challenge to shepherd a church as we find its way in the mission of God here in Tally.
Don’t forget Rebirth in your year end considerations. We’re doing a lot with the little we have but need all the help we can get.
I miss all of you so much and am thankful for your trust as I follow Christ in service to His Kingdom’s advance.
An Interview with Mo Leverett regarding his latest recording - Shards of Light
Posted on November 21st, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
First Mo, thanks for granting this short interview.
Of course. Thanks for being interested.
How are you doing? After Katrina, for some of us you dropped off the radar.
I’m doing well. Happy and healthy.
You’re pastoring a church in Tallahassee now?
Yes, I’m the lead pastor at Centerpoint Church - an intentionally center-city church which includes an urban ministry thrust.
How’s pastoring working out for you?
Good question. Suffice it to say that I have a rather gracious group of people who are long-suffering with me. I’m enjoying them immensely and the challenge that a vision like ours presents.
How did Katrina effect you personally?
Well, we don’t have time for that. I’ll just say that as a result of the impact of Katrina - I’ll never be the same.
In what ways?
Well, I feel wounded, redirected, healed, loved, devastated, restored all at the same time. I both revile the storm and receive her with thanksgiving.
Is Shards of Light a moving away from the theme of Katrina in your life and music?
No, not really. At least in one sense I hope to never revisit Katrina again, but never to leave her either. I believe that I am inextricably connected to her and that she has made an indelible deconstructive and redemptive mark on my life.
So Mo, another CD? How does this recording compare and contrast with your other projects?
This is my ninth recording (not including the 3 or 4 other projects I contributed to and helped produce) and it was originally intended to be a hymn compliation. Regularly persons visit me at my CD table after a concert and say, “I want the one with the hymns.” Well the truth is that many of my CD’s have hymns on them - so I thought it would be wise to combine them all in a single project. However, at some point in this process I decided that there was enough orginal and fresh material to warrant a totally new recording.
I’d say that the feel of this project is definitely lighter and more hopeful than my previous project - Orphans and Kings. But it also is a good compliment to that work. While Orphans and Kings was recorded during the time that I was processing, grieving and facing the losses of Katrina - Shards of Light on the other hand reflects healing from the storm and it’s aftermath in my life.
Musically though I’d say that this project stands out from the rest in its style and feel. I produced this project myself with some assistance from my workship leader - Vance Watt. With the instrumentalists we chose to perform on the project, it gradually became more and more soulful. The project also features my beloved daughter Lindsay on two acoustic remakes of prior songs from the Tendermercies CD.
And while we made every effort to save money on the production, I feel that we achieved a level of performance I can be proud of and the listener will hopefully enjoy.
Your daughter has a beautiful voice. Is she trained? Is she an aspiring artist?
Nope. Just beautiful and gifted and nice enough to sprinkle her sweetness on my songs.
How do you do it? How do you continue to write and record while also pastoring a church and running Rebirth International - while at the same time keeping up with one wife and four kids?
Oh it’s not as hard as it sounds. It helps to have an amazingly supportive and organized wife - and four kids who enjoy being part of a family on a mission. I would feel impoverished without the whole music thing in my life. It helps to support the ministry we believe in so much. And it fills the house with music - which the family doesn’t mind much of the time. So when I’m inspired, I write. When I’ve written enough, I record. It also helps to have musician friends who believe in what I’m doing both artistically and missionally.
Would you say that Shards of Light has a single or particular theme?
I’d say that the title is self-descriptive of the project as a whole. I’d hate to reduce it to a single them. The unifying theme is my life over the last 2 years or so. How’s that for an answer?
Not much of one really, but it will suffice.
Sorry. Don’t want to give it away.
Don’t worry, you haven’t. On a different subject, I’ve always wondered what musicians you listen to. Who influences Mo Leverett?
Well the single most influential individual on my music is my close friend Greg Doles - a musical diamond in the rough. Other persons that I like to listen to are Bruce Cockburn, Pierce Pettis, The Great Louis Armstrong, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Lionel Ritchie, Ray Charles, James Taylor, Earth, Wind and Fire and others in that ilk. But I can’t say how much they influenced my music really.
Earth, Wind and Fire?
Oh yeah…I’ve bought their greatest hits project at least four times.
Funny, well…do you intend to do more recordings? What should we expect in the future?
Well, I have two other projects in the works right now. I just can’t afford yet to finish them. I guess I’ll keep writing and recording as long as there are people willing to listen.
How would you classify your music? What genre would you place it in?
I don’t know. My favorite description of my music is an old one. Cornerstone Magazine called it “a folksy-bluesy slice of real-life pie”. Others have called it Americana. It’s not blues, it’s not country, rock, pop, folk or jazz. But you can hear parts of those streams flow into the larger body of my work. So I don’t know. My friend Richard Johnson likes to call me the Tupac of folk music. I have no idea what that means, but I like it nonetheless.
Would you consider it Christian?
Well, I consider myself a Christian - my art is an extension of who I am. But I do not feel bound at all to write and sing perpetually about Christ or the gospel. He frees me to write about whatever I feel. I had a very short life in the Christian music industry. But my sense is that they don’t know what to do with me. I don’t fit the profile - but I don’t play in bars either. So, I don’t know. Whatever category persons want to put me in, I’m fine with that.
You have your own unique feel and style of guitar playing. How did that develop?
In a closet.
No one taught you?
No. Again, I’d say that Greg Doles was the most influential person in the early part of my development as a musician and writer. But I never took lessons. I just kind of figured it out on my own. So I guess I have my own voice on the instrument - it’s certainly not sophisticated and I have a limited musical vocabulary, but when you hear it, for better or worse, you can typically identify it as mine.
Do you think you’ve had any influence on any other younger musicians out there?
Oh I doubt it. I really don’t know very many people who have even heard my music.
I’m assuming that persons can still buy the project off of your justiceroad.com site?
Yes. It should be up on the site within a week or two.
Well is there anything else you’d like to share with your fan base?
Ha! I have a fan base?
There’s one or two…maybe more.
Well, tell my Mom I love her and I’ll be home for Thanksgiving. For the other fan out there, call me sometime. If there are still any others? Pray for me and the ministry to which God has called me and the communities to which I am sent.
Thanks again, Mo.
You’re quite welcome. Thank you.
This Week at Rebirth
Posted on November 16th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
I’m sitting in my new office in Tallahassee preparing for a busy week.
I am driving tonight to consult with a Christian rap artist and ministry named Lecrae in Atlanta, GA. I will then head to Orlando to pick up 1,000 copies or so of my - fresh off the presses - newest CD project - Shards of Light. I will immediately head to do a concert in Titusville, Florida and return in time to meet my obligations and privileges at Centerpoint Church this weekend.
By way of reminder - in case you forgot - Rebirth International is an ongoing effort to expand urban ministry initiatives stateside and worldwide.
I am making preparations to travel to Cali, Columbia in the first week of December to meet with a former classmate and colleague of mine to explore the possibilities for a Rebirth effort there.
There are three individuals on the front end of raising their support to come on staff with our ministry. We are so thankful for the privilege to serve the Savior of the world among the urban poor!
Right this minute I’m scheduled for a lunch date with my wife - I better not miss that - so I’m keeping it short.
Thanks for your support and prayers for Rebirth!
Mo Leverett
On my way home, again
Posted on October 25th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
I’m on my way home after leading a men’s retreat for Christ Community Presbyterian in the North Georgia Mountains. I was their keynote speaker and worship leader. After speaking at their church in Kennesaw this morning I’m heading for the home front where I return to my church at Centerpoint and my sweet family in Tallahassee.
I officially finished my first year of pastoring Centerpoint about a month and a half ago. My family is doing well in Tallahassee and I’m keeping the fire lit with the vision of Rebirth. I wish that I had enough resources to provide for myself good administrative support, but God is good and providing along the way with some volunteer help.
In addition to ministering to numerous churches this year - encouraging them to remain the Compassionate Community God envisioned for us to be in our world - I am searching for those next-generation urban ministry leaders to replicate new incarnational ministries in pockets of poverty. I’ve facilitated some of the resources toward the work of Rebirth in New Orleans and continue to try and encourage the work that continues there. I’ve also consulted with churches and organizations regarding their strategies for outreach to the poor.
I’ve never fancied myself a pastor. When I went to seminary, I did so for the purpose of being trained as a missionary, not a preacher. Nevertheless, I do love the people who are Centerpoint Church, count it a privilege to shepherd them and am thankful to them for their forbearance and longsuffering with the likes of me. And I know that God is using me in Tallahassee, but perhaps even more so using Tallahassee in me.
I have finished my recent CD project entitled Shards of Light. I should have copies of it within two weeks. It is a collection of spiritual songs and hymns and is a retreat from my regular melancholy self - it has actually turned into a rather encouraging and uplifting piece. I’ve appreciated the assistance and help I received from our worship leader at Centerpoint, Vance Watt, in the recording of this project - making it an affordable effort and hopefully a considerable contribution to the resources of Rebirth.
Ever since I started my journey in ministry, the Lord has provided for me a cloud of supporters to envelope and encourage me. Thanks for continuing to help undergird me in this vision. Please stay in touch as I press forward in the call God has placed on my life. I’m giving thanks for you on my trip home.
God Blesses Rebirth International with a Fruitful Summer
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
Back in the summer of 2005, just before Hurricane Katrina blew in and redirected our lives, I developed flu-like symptoms which proved to be considerably more than seasonal flu. It turned out that I was battling septicimia - EColi bacteria in the blood. My body descended into convulsive patterns and when I finally made it to the hospital, I was apparently within hours of losing my life.
We never know when our present breath is to become our last. Until then, and as long as the Lord allows, I have determined to continue in making my life count for the gospel in urban pockets of poverty. I continue to strive toward that end, my amazing family continues to labor with me and this summer, thanks be to God and the many co-laborers and supporters, has been a fruitful season in that endeavor.
There is much to update you all on, but not enough time to do it. Of course I’ve been traveling a good bit to New Orleans, to Atlanta and Orlando - speaking, concerting, consulting and taking doctoral classwork - everything I know to do to advance the cause of Christ’s vision for Rebirth while also pastoring Centerpoint Church. I will be traveling to Dighton, KS this next week for a speaking and singing engagement. I have many available slots for the Fall and Spring for those who might be interested in concerts or other things.
This summer has been a fruitful one for all of the Rebirth ministries across the country. I have heard excellent reports of conversions in each one of the ministries - from East St. Louis, New Orleans and here in Tallahassee. Camps have resulted in the growth and spiritual new beginnings of many urban youth! Praise God.
I also just finished conducting a month long urban ministry internship that has already proven to be fruitful for the advancement of urban ministry initiatives - as one of the interns is considering raising his support to join the Rebirth team in Tallahassee - and another who intends the same as a tutoring coordinator.
We are in negotiations with a national campus ministry to partner and hold a summer long urban project to prepare the next generation of urban ministry leaders for new fields of mission.
There is an individual considering raising finances to undergird Rebirth with administrative support. Pray for him and for me as I also have been going paycheckless to serve this cause.
I am nearing completion of my latest recording project - a yet unnamed 2 disc hymn project with over 20 tracks. I should have copies of the project by the end of August. I will then turn to finishing the re-mix of the old Sacred Desires CD which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. I also have recorded other recently written songs which I hope to release next year. I’m so thankful to the many musicians who have donated their efforts to the cause of Rebirth in these projects. I hope the new project will sell many copies which will assist us to move in a positive financial direction.
I have shifted gears from my PhD program at UNO in Urban Studies to beginning Doctor of Ministry work at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. While my theoretical grid was enriched during my studies at UNO, I have discovered that I’m less a researcher and more an activist. I think this program will suit my needs a little better and allow me to do some of the writing that so many have requested I do.
My family is prospering in Tallahassee - the kids are in good schools and enjoying the spiritual family of Centerpoint Church. Of course the folks at Centerpoint have to be strong and courageous to have hired the likes of me as their pastor. We’ve survived a year of realignment and are planning for a year of growth and ministry expansion in the coming year. We love our church and are settling into Tallahassee. We are building a home near the City’s center which we hope to move into by November.
The finances have been scarce in these changing economic times, but God has been faithful to keep us afloat. I hope you will continue to pray for us and to consider what role the Lord has put on your heart to support our vision for advancing urban ministry throughout our great country. For as long as the Lord gives me breath, I intend to continue in service to Him among the poor.
Please feel free to stay in touch with me. Thanks for your friendship and support!
Mo Leverett
850.491.8800
The Month of July at Rebirth
Posted on July 6th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
I just returned with my colleague Eric Stites from taking the last batch of Tallahassee kids to adventure camp in North Georgia. Upon returning I have launched our summer internship that extends through July. During this internship we’ll be teaching young people the biblical principles for urban ministry, as well as immersing them in urban culture - with the goal of raising a new generation of urban missionaries.
I will be travelling this week to concert and speak to a group of college students from the University of Georgia who are doing beach project in Panama City. We will also discuss the possibility of doing a collaborative urban project between Campus Outreach and Rebirth International for next summer.
I hope to jump into the studio this evening and next to continue work on my 3 CD projects I’m working on.
The third week of July I intend to take a week-long DMIn class at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Please pray for me during this time and pray for the financial resources to accomplish all that He has called us to put our hands to.
A Much Belated Update from Rebirth
Posted on June 20th, 2009 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.
It’s been a while since I’ve updated you all. Balancing pastoral ministry and directing an urban ministry replication movement and training apparatus is a greater challenge than I might would have thought. I’m not the spring chicken I once was.
As some of you know, I’ve done some preliminary PhD work at the University of New Orleans. Obviously I’m not going to finish that degree - at least not at that university. I’m considering transferring some of those credits in to Reformed Theological Seminary and begin focus on a DMin degree this summer. I’m more the practitioner than the researcher. So this might work out well.
Shane and Kristen Fast are up and running in East St. Louis and off to a great start! His stories of this fledgling work remind me so much of my beginnings at Desire Street.
Richard and April Johnson and Sam Rauschenberg are doing a great job as well at Rebirth New Orleans in Clark High School. They have seen many conversions this summer through their camping outreach and are sustaining a great work with a severe scarcity of resources.
We’re beginning to explore the nature of the partnership between Centerpoint Church and Rebirth Tallahassee. And good urban ministry work is already being done here through the work of my former intern Eric Stites and a team of volunteers from Centerrpoint Church.
I just finished exhibiting at the Presbyerian Church in America’s General Assembly and developed good possibilities for concerts, speaking engagements, workshops and seminary classes. And hopefully one or two of these churches will consider picking up Rebirth for support, even in these challenging economic times.
The Leverett family is doing exceedingly well.
Lindsay is attempting to attend Covenant College on Lookout Mountain this Fall. The finances are coming up a bit short for this venture, but if the Lord desires for her to go, He’ll make a way - of that I’m sure. Please pray for her in this regard. Despite being born into a Christian ministry - that ministry was never really focused on her. Lindsay believes, and I agree with her, that attending a Christian college would help to fill in the gaps for her. We’re praying.
My other girls Lacey and Maggie are prospering in Tallahassee. They have more friends than they know what to do with. And Manning just finished FSU Baseball Camp and turning into quite the Renaissance man.
Ellen is also happy - and flourishing in the beautiful Christian community that is Centerpoint Church.
I’m still working on a few new album projects along with a remix of the old Sacred Desires CD - this yeat is its 15th Anniversary - and we hope to reintroduce a new batch of folks to those songs. Paying for new works is a challenge, even when they generate income for the ministry.
Rebirth is accomplishing much and has so much potential for more. We need your support. No gifts are too small. This summer we’re attempting to fund many camps and dig ourselves out of a little hole. Thank you for partnering with me to advance urban ministries in the second phase of my ministry life. Few people in the world have had the opportunity to do what they love - but I’m one of them. And I have you to thank for that privilege. Many blessings!
Mo Leverett
Director - Rebirth International