Seeking to Embrace Jesus' Mission

This week 26 individuals from Southwest Church in Springboro are in New Orleans partnering with Crossroads Missions (www.crossroadsmissions.com) to serve the people of New Orleans. New Orleans has been reeling ever since Hurricane Katrina brought widespread destruction to the city five years ago. The result of the destruction has resulted in heightened poverty in this city of 350,000 people (pre-Katrina (485,000) with 30% of the population living below the poverty level.*

Last year, 1,000 volunteers from 15 different states and Canada partnered with Crossroads Missions to make a difference in the lives of people who are living in poverty in New Orleans. This mission effort seeks to embrace Jesus’ mission statement to bring good news to the poor described in the Bible (Luke 4:18-19). In this proclamation, Jesus fulfilled the messianic description recorded in Scripture by Isaiah the prophet, who lived 700 BC.

As we read this messianic description recorded by Isaiah, we sense that this has always been and will always be God’s desired purpose for his people. Isaiah wrote,
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory. They'll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. Isaiah 61:1-4 MSG

It is encouraging to know that our dedicated volunteers are helping rebuild the old ruins of New Orleans and helping raise a new city out of the wreckage. I am proud of these devoted followers of Christ and I think it would be appropriate to call them “Oaks of Righteousness” who are displaying God’s glory in the city of New Orleans!

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* New Orleans Demographics
• New Orleans Population: approx. 350,000 people (Pre-Katrina: 485,000),
• 30% of population lives below poverty level,
• 41% of children live in poverty,
• in poorer neighborhoods, 33% of people do not have access to a car,
• median household income: $ 27,000,
• completed high school: 40%