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Grace for New Orleans plans

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you because you have expressed interest in me and my continuing ministry at the Grace Baptist Church of New Orleans. On Sunday, September 18, Northport Baptist Church of Northport, Alabama established a special missions fund called "Grace for New Orleans" to receive donations that would support my ministry upon my return to New Orleans. If God has laid this ministry to New Orleans upon your heart, please read on. In addition to this letter, you will find enclosed a Purpose Statement and a list in important contact information.

Grace Baptist Church
Grace has been at its location in the historic Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans for over one hundred years. When Grace started, it was in a neighborhood of white, middle-class families, but during the 1960’s, the neighborhood made a dramatic change into what would be called the inner-city. In the years that followed, Grace came close to shutting its doors; but through the leadership of a new pastor, William Rogers, Grace began to reach out to the new people in the neighborhood. During the first part of 2005, Grace enjoyed worship services that averaged 75 people, about half white and half black.

My Ministry at Grace
I began my ministry at Grace just back in January. The church called me to be Associate Pastor with the expectation that I would follow Pastor Rogers into the office of Pastor upon his planned retirement. I was excited and humbled to carry on the ministry of a self-supporting, inner-city church from a man who had sacrificed so much to see Grace continue. Our men were remodeling a house owned by the church so that my family could move in to the neighborhood. They predicted our move-in to be some time in October or November. The girls were enrolled in a nearby Lutheran School, and our family was excited about the years that lay before us.

Aftermath of Katrina
However, in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, Grace’s membership has been scattered. Every member that I have been able to contact has been displaced. Pastor Rogers is living with his oldest son in LaGrangeville, New York. Most all of our members have lost their homes and incomes. While they are working to get their own lives back on track, offerings will most likely be down. Currently, Grace is collecting no tithes and offerings. These financial hardships are the primary reason why I am trying to raise my support before I return to New Orleans. We believe that her facilities have minimal damage, but this is only based upon media reports. I hope to enter the city to survey the church’s damage as soon as I am allowed. [Charlie makes the trip and surveys the damage. Read the report...(pdf).]

The Dale Family
Even though my family and I probably lost everything that was in our apartment in the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, we are doing great! We are living with Shannon’s family, and we have received funds from FEMA, the Red Cross, and the churches from which Shannon and I came. Michaela and Moriah are continuing their educations at the local public school, and Shannon just accepted a job with the hospital where she worked before we left for New Orleans four years ago. God is providing for us through our physical and spiritual family; however, He is also calling us back to our church in New Orleans.

Grace for New Orleans
Northport Baptist Church has unanimously voted to establish a special fund called "Grace for New Orleans". Established to receive donations to pay my salary when I return to my church in New Orleans, my hope is to re-gather our church and take advantage of the outreach and evangelistic opportunities that this rebuilding phase will provide. As a staff missionary of Northport Baptist Church, I am accountable to Pastor Johnny Nixon, and my salary will be set by Northport’s Personnel Committee as provided by the "Grace for New Orleans" fund.

What You Can Do
Please pray for Grace Baptist Church as her people seek to continue being Christ’s witness to the 9th Ward/Bywater area of New Orleans. In order to make a contribution to my ministry at Grace Baptist Church, make checks out to "Northport Baptist Church" with "Grace for New Orleans" in the memo line.

Send the check to:
Northport Baptist Church
1004 Main Avenue
Northport, AL 35476

Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy letter. I would be happy to hear from you if the Spirit so moves you. I know there is much need in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and you should not feel bound to give to any one ministry. I am confident that God will provide for His ministry and that His people have the privilege to be a part of His saving work through many ministry opportunities. May God grant you His grace and strength as we labor under His care.

Sincerely,
Charlie Dale