They will work closely with the local schools, help facilitate neighborhood meals, and be involved in the life of the neighborhood. The neighborhood minister will work closely with the preaching minister as Luke 10:1-12 becomes a defining text of the church’s life.

The neighborhood minister will also become an investigator of how the neighborhood is changing and help discern what this means for the ministry and witness of the Newmarket Church of Christ.

Additional qualities

• Be comfortable working with vulnerable persons/neighborhoods
• A passion for social justice
• Able to receive and practice the gift of hospitality
• Willing to practice a life of prayer
• Must posses or be willing to pursue a theological education from a recognized institution
• Demonstrate experience working independently and as necessary, as a team player
• Be comfortable in public speaking and leading in formal worship
• Must have an understanding of doctrinal positions related to Churches of Christ
• An understanding that this role requires to live within a specific neighborhood and that this ministry role is context specific to a geographical area around the Newmarket Church of Christ

• We work closely with community partners in serving our neighbors (especially around Christmas)
• We share a monthly meal at 280 Davis Drive (community housing)
• Work closely with the local schools (grades 1-8)

Like other large cities we have experienced gentrification in our neighborhood entailing a pivot in our ministries.  This position will help the congregation seek out what God is doing in our city and how we can join Him in that redemptive work.  Primary focus will be on engaging with the community and discernment of God’s will and direction.  While accountable to the elders, our leadership model sees the minister working with the eldership as a partner in our ministry in God’s Kingdom here in New Orleans.

Preaching/teaching:

While preaching is a part of the job, the number of times a month you preach is flexible.  We have our worship service on Sunday morning, leaving Sunday nights open for family time, small groups, and dinners.  Bible classes are on Wednesday night (i.e., no Sunday school).  You’ll be expected to teach on the Wednesday night following the Sunday you preach so we can go deeper into the text and have a conversation.

Ministry:

As mentioned above, we envision a season of discernment and exploration of the City seeking out what God is doing here in New Orleans.  Eventually you will be creating opportunities for the church family to join with you in this work.  Hollygrove Church of Christ is Carrollton’s church plant in the Hollygrove neighborhood and Alfa & Omega is a Hispanic church meeting in our building.  Both churches are resources and extensions of Carrollton’s ministry to our city.

Spiritual Health:

You will be expected to nurture yourself and your marriage.  The office is closed on Fridays and, while this doesn’t have to be one of your days off, you are required to take a Sabbath day each week that does not include Sunday.  Turn your phone off and go play.  You should also schedule an additional day off each week.  The office is also closed between Christmas and New Years, on Mardi Gras, and at other times that serve for renewal.  Additionally, you will be required to take another two weeks off sometime during the year.

Hope Afield is a 501 (C) (3) Inc. that has been in existence since 2016. Through mentoring and life skills training, Hope Afield works with at-risk and under-privileged youth and their families in Butler and Lowndes Counties in an outdoor environment to promote hope, healing and purpose. Our goal is to teach young people how to work, how to play and how to live. Our Mentoring Program includes an after-school program, summer day camps and field trips. We promote food security by serving hot meals, providing snack packs and maintaining an on-site food pantry. We engage students in outdoor activities, animal care, team building games, vegetable gardening, nutrition and cooking classes, arts and crafts and basic life skills needed to become productive citizens in our community. We are a well-established community outreach that receives students referred to us by the education system, judicial system, law enforcement, local churches and individuals.

Someone who is willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus among the poor and marginalized people of a rural community and area. Twenty percent of Butler County and twenty-two percent of Lowndes County, which is close to Hope Afield, live below the poverty level. In addition to various livestock and outdoor activities used to engage students, God has blessed us with an amazing physical infrastructure consisting of a Pavilion, Resource Center, Restrooms and Basketball Court. All facilities are debt free. We need someone with vision and faith to build on what our God has provided, expand the services God has blessed and take the ministry to the next level. An element of this next step is being a part of an organic church plant team that naturally flows out of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Engaging our students and families in the Great Outdoors is at the heart of this ministry. Our God can be seen in nature if we will learn to look for Him. A Director of Operations that can assist in bringing students and their families into an outdoor classroom where they can find Hope, Healing and Purpose is the person we are seeking.

We have a Tuesday After-school Program where students ride the school bus to Hope Afield. During their time with us, we work on life skills, character traits, mentoring and offer a Bible Class as well as a hot meal. This can easily be expanded to other days of the week. On other days, the Judicial System sends students that need community service hours. We use this as mentoring opportunities that assists with the physical upkeep of the farm. It also helps build outdoor life skills as well as spending time helping a young person get their life on track and pointing them to Jesus. In the past, we have been invited to work with the local school system’s Alternative School. With expanded resources and volunteer base, we are poised to be a much-need model for Alternative Schools. During the Summer, we offer Day Camps twice a week. These day camps consist of outdoor games, snacks, hot meal, horseback riding, fishing, Bible Study, field trips and other various outdoor activities. Our current facilities are also available for rent to host weddings, family reunions, baby showers, birthday parties, civic club meets and other special events. The income from these rentals helps fund Hope Afield.