WE'RE BRINGING LIFE BACK TO A NEIGHBORHOOD AND BRINGING THE NEIGHBORHOOD BACK TO LIFE.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (LOWER NINTH WARD)
PROJECT: REBUILD MOUNT NEBO BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH
In the summer of 2005, Hurricane Katrina forever changed the city of New Orleans. Even now, several years later, the city still suffers, especially in the Lower Ninth Ward, where only 25 of the 72 churches have been rebuilt in the area. That’s where we met the pastors and families of Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church. Their church building served as both a house of worship, a community center and so much more, until Katrina wiped out their facilities…but strengthened their faith.
Project Overview
The year Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans
The cost of damage done by Hurricane Katrina
The number of churches that have been rebuilt in the area
Raised from donors to complete the construction of Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church
Future Plans
The Premier Foundation raised $400,000 with the generous and loving support of donors across the country to complete the construction of the church and community center. Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church reopened in the spring of 2019 and is again serving the community of the Lower Ninth Ward. Premier continues to support Mount Nebo and will be working with donors to provide additional items such as audio/video equipment, a church van and other necessary items to support the ministry in New Orleans.
WITH HEARTFUL GRATITUDE...
Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church is associated with the Premier Foundation because of their history helping others to fulfill their vision and goals. Our experience of devastation due to Hurricane Katrina is an example of their commitment to their mission. We partnered with them because they caught our vision and desire to restore our sacred place and outreach services in our community. Our relationship, though financially based, is spiritual in nature because of their Christ-like compassion: this compassionate attitude is why we believe our quest to rebuild our place of worship will be fulfilled. We are supported emotionally as well as through the Foundation, and because of their godly principles in fundraising we believe they will aid us as we move forward in our efforts to rebuild. This is not just a business relationship, but a personal one that has blossomed over the years.
The congregation has embraced the Foundation’s ideals of aiding and supporting our rebuilding efforts to return to being the heartbeat of this community where God planted us. Our plan is to reconstitute programs for adults and youth of our area including tutoring/mentoring, job search/completing applications, free tax assistance, self-help/self-worth/self-esteem building classes, athletics, computer center, games, assistance for the homeless (feed and clothe) and much more. Our heartfelt gratitude to you.
- Rev. Charles Duplessis, Pastor, Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church