Church’s plans for outreach stalled by thieves in N.O.

BURNET ––  A congregation that fled the hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast in 2005 and relocated to the Burnet area have had their dreams to rebuild in New Orleans stymied by sticky-fingered thieves.

After being displaced from their homes in the Big Easy as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, members of the Smoking for Jesus Ministry at 1804 FM 2342 say they still want to renovate the church they left behind in New Orleans and turn it into an outreach facility.

But the rebuilding project they started months ago in their former home has stalled because of frequent thefts. 

“It (New Orleans) is a hard place to rebuild,” said the Rev. Willie Monet. “We’ve had central-heat and air-conditioning units stolen from the top of the building. The cost for replacement of just the units is somewhere around $50,000.”

The church lacks the funds to replace the stolen materials, officials said.

In order to raise additional monies, members have decided to lease the church in New Orleans and use the proceeds from the monthly rent to finish the renovations.

Meanwhile, the ministry in Burnet County continues to thrive, church officials said.

“My thought was if we can get someone to commit to a long-term lease, we can combine that money with donations as they come along. We still have groups of 10-15 men who go there three or four days at a time to work,” Monet said.

Some church members are working on obtaining outside donations.

“It’s really taxing, but the Lord gives us strength,” Monet said.

It’s been three years since the group of church family and friends fled the destruction of the storms, making new lives for themselves after settling in Burnet, Kingsland and Marble Falls.

Although this is their permanent home, they had a vision to return to New Orleans one day to restore their original church as an outreach ministry, Monet said.

During the year, several members of the church have traveled  back and forth to the Big Easy cleaning up and rebuilding the vacant church and donating their personal time, energy and money.

The transplanted Texans even returned to New Orleans in August to hold a dedication of the newly remodeled church. They also commemorated the three-year anniversary of the hurricanes with their family and friends who stayed behind. 

At the time of their August reunion, the church was nearing completion, but the frequent thefts have set back their efforts by months. 

Those who wish to make a contribution to the Smoking for Jesus Ministry can call the church at (512) 756-1712.

byoung@thepicayune.com

Photo courtesy of Kimberley Edwards