Transforming urban neighborhoods...

"The Word became flesh… and moved into the neighborhood."
John 1:14 (MSG)

Desire Street Ministries exists to train and send leaders to revitalize impoverished neighborhoods through spiritual and community development. Everything we do is based on two core values. Our incarnational philosophy of ministry means that the leaders of our replication works choose to live in the neighborhoods we serve, seeking transformation from the inside out. Our commitment to indigenous leadership development means that we seek to equip and empower local leaders to continue transforming their neighborhoods.

From a humble beginning in the Desire area "projects" of New Orleans Upper Ninth Ward, the progress we had made after 15 years of ministry was almost devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Read the story of Desire Street. But today, we are grateful to the Lord for a strong vision and healthy organization giving us a foundation and readiness to transform pockets of poverty in New Orleans and beyond through high-impact programs focused on spiritual and community development.

Our commitment to the long-term success of New Orleans' Ninth Ward remains strong. We are actively pursuing our mission by:

• Educating tomorrow’s leaders
• Redeveloping the Desire community in New Orleans’ Upper Ninth Ward
• Replicating our ministry model in other urban areas

Ministry Overview

Desire Street Ministries is currently pursuing its mission through various ministries:

• Education for most of the young men
  attending Desire Street Academy begun in the Desire neighborhood has been reestablished in Baton Rouge, LA
• Redevelopment of the Upper Ninth Ward is being addressed by DSM's involvement with CDC 58:12
• Replication is occuring through training future leaders at the Urban Institute and sending and supporting people called to replicate the model in other urban neighborhoods, like New Orleans and Montgomery, AL.

Desire Street Academy was reestablished in Baton Rouge, LA for the 2006-2007 school year, and beyond. We continue to educate and house junior and senior high African-American males from New Orleans displaced by the Hurricane. DSA is also opening its doors to youth from Baton Rouge, as we earn respct within that community. Click here to read more about DSA.

In New Orleans, DSM is part of CDC 58:12, a community development corporation aimed at redeveloping the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans both physically and spiritually. It's purpose is to provide affordable housing and economic development opportunities. CDC 58:12 is assisting new homebuyers on the path to self-sufficiency with homebuyer training that addresses savings and budgeting, home mortgages, and property care. Click here to read more about CURE and CDC 58:12.

Replication: training
By providing internships and seminars that join theological instruction with hands-on ministry experience, the Urban Institute trains leaders to live out the Gospel in both word and deed. It serves a diverse audience, including local indigenous leaders, college students considering a call to urban ministry, and Christian leaders already serving “the least of these”. Click here to read more about the Urban Institute.

Replication: sending
Desire Street Ministries is working to replicate its model of incarnational ministry and indigenous leadership development by undertaking and strategically supporting similar urban ministries in other impoverished communities. One such partnership is Common Ground Montgomery, an urban ministry in Montgomery AL patterned after Desire Street Ministries. Its founder Bryan Kelly is a former intern of Desire Street Ministries’ Urban Institute. Click here to read more about Common Ground Montgomery.

Desire Street Ministries is also actively planting a church in New Orleans to help revitalize the St. Roch and St. Claude neighborhoods. Located in a heavily populated area of New Orleans, the church is a multi-cultural congregation that preaches the Gospel in word and deed, intentionally reaches and disciples youth, and seeks to address the communities’ felt needs as a body of believers. Check back to our website soon for exciting news about how the Lord is working to prosper this work. Click here to read more about St. Roch Community Church. Or visit their website.