Q: What is Urban Impact?
A: Urban Impact Ministries began 20 years ago as a ministry to reach the people of Central City New Orleans for Jesus Christ. 10 years ago, the ministry planted Castle Rock Community Church. I'm a member of this church.
Q: What is TouchGlobal Crisis Response?
A: This ministry was birthed out of Hurricane Katrina and seeks to reach those in times of crises with the love of Christ. For the past 2 years, I have served as the volunteer coordinator for this ministry serving not only in New Orleans, but helping with our efforts in Galveston, North Dakota, and Haiti. We partnered with Urban Impact after Katrina to help rebuild their community.
Q: Is there still a partnership between Urban Impact and TouchGlobal Crisis Response?
A: Yes but it looks different from before. We will continue to aid each other in God's kingdom work in New Orleans but it will take two different shapes. Urban Impact will focus on central city New Orleans and continue to host teams like they did before the storm to help reach their community for Christ and (prayers needed) for the renovation of their new church facility. They will host teams in the yellow house and focus on evangelism and discipleship.
TouchGlobal Crisis Response will also continue in the efforts of rebuilding after Katrina and begin focusing those efforts in the outer areas of New Orleans such as Gentily, New Orleans East, 9th Ward, etc. We will also begin focusing on church planting. We've seen God provide the foundation of contacts made after the storm and will host teams to help us build the walls around this foundation and growing the outer New Orleans community closer to Christ. We will host teams on the north shore and hoping to acquire another ministry housing site in the outer New Orleans area. We have partnered with a church in the 9th Ward, House of Hope Fellowship, (pictured below) to come alongside them in reaching their community for Christ. We hold prayer walks in the community and assited them in their first youth celebration Sunday. We've been working on their church since mid-February and the church is still in need of funds to complete the interior. Please pray to our God, the ultimate provider, to bring the funds needed to see this church completed and shining brightly for Jesus!
Q: What does this mean for Katie??
A: I will continue to live in central city New Orleans and attend Castle Rock Community Church. I will continue to love on whoever God puts in my path. I will continue to work for TouchGlobal Crisis Response ministry for who knows how long...This coming year will most likely mean more trips across the causeway (the 24 mile bridge over Lake Ponchatrain) where our Crisis Response office is located. I am still in the process of handing off my volunteer cooridnating duties to whoever God provides. He is FAITHFUL and provided Laura and Allison this summer to host teams and I'm eternally grateful!! He also provided Christine to help with the coordination of teams to Haiti!! GOD IS GOOD!
Q: Is Katie still developing the Crisis Response internship program?
A: Time for honesty....I'm not an initiator...I don't start things...I like to come in after something is already going and make it better and keep the ball rolling. So even more reason why I know God has put this on my heart because I'm very very very unqualified and don't have a clue as to what I'm doing. If and when this does take off, it'll ALL be because of Him and nothing I've done. So yes if you'd like more info on what I'm thinking or can help with ideas all are appreciated..email katie.hooks@efca.org I'm looking for young adults who have just graduated from high school to graduated college (not sure on max age yet) and want to take some time off (either 3 months, 6 months, or a year) from school to serve in our ministry for either college credit or just to gain ministry experience. Come get a taste for working in a crisis response ministry, serving in a cross cultural setting and growing in your walk with God! :)
Q: What's going in the next couple of months in the life of Katie Hooks?
A: Next week we have 84 volunteers in New Orleans...oh yesss! (July 23rd = my birthday!!) Working on the internship program. As far as travel plans: I'll be popping over to Galveston the last week of July to visit our ministry site there, then headed to Sunset Beach NC beginning of August for a family vacation. I'm possibly visiting some missionary friends in Costa Rica in September with a possible trip to Peru to visit our ministry site this fall. And yes all the while learning every day what it means to find my security in Christ and planting my roots in Him so I can bear fruit to show His love to everyone I meet.
I'm very grateful to all of you who have been praying for me. I could tell recently my worries and burdens were greater than usual because I hadn't been asking for prayer. I'm grateful for our friendships and all the more grateful to see how God continues to use a storm to bring us closer to Him!
So Prayer Request:
1) the internship program - that I stop focusing on the fact I'm unqualified and let God use me. That God would bring exactly who He wants to serve as interns for us.
2) to see God as my ultimate security knowing He never changes
3) for strategic church partners in the outer areas of New Orleans who want to see the gospel spread!
4) future traveling plans - safety and provision of rest
5) I'm currently at 85% for monthly supporters...please pray about supporting me for God's work here in NOLA.
and to end...PRAISES!!
1) God is goood all the time!
2) for my awesome hostesses this summer
3) for the teams God has provided to come serve with us! LOVE THEM!
4) time to reconnect with New Orleans crew (pictured below) in Chicago!
5) for all of you who pray for me and who take the time to read this entire blog! you're my heroes! :)
LOVE YOU!!!
Katie :)
"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose"
Philippians 2:13
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44
