Memphis Commercial Appeal Features Lindenwood Mission Trip

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A Message from Brother Vance:

Welcome to Mission on “our” West Bank. Westside Christian Church, New Orleans, is excited to share our vision.

Much had to be done to make this happen. I’d like to thank Week of Compassion (thanks Johnny), The Great River Region (thanks Barb and ALL on the Board), Regional Pastor Michael Elmore and the 12 hearty souls at Westside Christian Church. Each of you has shown that we can come together and we can make a commitment to rebuild and revitalize.

God has blessed Jeannie and I with the call to Pastor Westside Christian Church. We are so excited at the opportunity to be God’s vessels in the rebuilding and GROWTH of His House on the West Bank. We pray that you’ll partner with us as we spread the GOOD NEWS. Jesus Christ is alive and well and living in New Orleans. I KNOW, I saw Him there.

I also have another job! I’m your “point man” in the recovery effort. It is a multifaceted effort:

We’ll rebuild the existing facilities at West Side.

· During the revitalization process we’ll remodel and utilize the old sanctuary for worship services. Today we’re in a room that will seat only 15 or 20; that’ll change quickly. Keep us in your prayers.

· During the recovery effort, we’ll demolish and replace the existing “new” sanctuary and use that structure to house volunteers coming to the Greater New Orleans area to help in the rebuilding and mission projects.

o Initially we’ll work helping folks in our five Greater New Orleans CCDOC churches to repair, clean up and rebuild.

o Plans are to expand ASAP to working within the InterFaith community to offer housing and project management for similar projects in the InterFaith community.

· We’re planning to be on the ground and running May 1.

We already have volunteers beginning to plan trips down. We have a healthy goal of having the “Housing Unit” dried in by July 1 and ready to house volunteers.

There’ll be many opportunities for each of you to help. You can email me BroVance@westsidemission.org or contact Michael at Michael@grrcc.org to find out more. Plans are to send our weekly updates so you’ll know progress and opportunities.

Folks, we are excited. With God’s help we (all of us) can be a shining light if a dark place. Through you God will shine that light. Pray with us, Partner with us.

B.A.S.I.C.S. (Brothers and Sisters In Christ Serving)

Bro. Vance and Jeannie