Missions

In 2009 Debra and Rachel launched Jesus Project Ministries (JPM) after several years of ministering in Hollygrove and other parts of New Orleans. God has called JPM to reach and disciple children, youth and adults living in impoverished and marginalized communities; to train and encourage the body of Christ in cross-cultural understanding and compassionate action; and to bring the Kingdom of God to our cities and nations through education, mentorship and ministry.

Initially the ministry started with a free nine-week summer camp in June 2009. That first year about twelve children faithfully came to the summer Bible camp and since that summer it has continued to grow. Camp days are amazing! They combine neighborhood children, college-age interns and missions teams from around the U.S. On any given day in camp, about 75 local kids, interns and Christians on missions trips join together to study the Bible, sing, dance and color their way to a deeper walk with Christ.

When the first summer camp ended In August 2009, the neighborhood children asked JPM if they would start an “after-school camp.” In this way, the Apple Street Learning Center was launched “out of the mouth of babes.” This program is a huge blessing to the community. JPM has helped students who are currently college honor students. And today the at the Apple Street Learning Center there may be a kindergartner learning their numbers and beside them sits a high school student working on their science projects. It is an immense joy to the leaders and regular volunteers who every day watch struggling students become lifelong learners. But most importantly, these young learners are becoming disciples of Christ.

Although the summer camp and Apple Street Learning Center anchor the work of Jesus Project, building community is the true calling God has placed on the hearts of Debra and Rachel. Bible studies for the youth and senior citizens as well as community outreaches are strengthening and transforming this neighborhood.

Bringing the solution of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to the forgotten places in our cities is God’s clear mandate to JPM. A key part of Jesus Project’s ministry is to help the body of Christ understand cross-cultural ministry by providing a place where two communities can come together. Christians, when they more clearly understand the roots of poverty and all the disadvantages and destruction it causes in our communities, are willing to invest their lives to bring a change. Jesus Project Ministries provides access for the Body of Christ to come, to spend themselves on behalf of the hungry and to satisfy the needs of the oppressed, so that our light will rise in the darkness, and our “night will become like noonday.” (Isa 58:10) It is the heart desire of Jesus Project Ministries to see the Body of Christ “rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations” and to be called “the Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12)