Ministries & Partners

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 underserved communities.

In the Ninth Ward of New Orleans where this ministry was founded, in order to help meet the need of our neighbors for redevelopment and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, DSM partnered with community members to found a community development corporation, CDC 58:12. Several former staff members from the Desire neighborhood are planting a church, Desire Fellowship, to address the spiritual needs of the community.

While Hurricane Katrina brought death, devastation and grief, it also provided many blessings. By literally forcing the ministry out of its home in New Orleans, DSM's ministry of replication was begun.

Because most residents of the Desire neighborhood were unable to return for several months after the storm, DSM began work in the adjacent Eighth Ward, which sustained less damage. St. Roch Community Church sprang to life as a vibrant outreach to the St. Roch and St. Claude nieghborhoods there.

We also began providing support and encouragement for a work in Montgomery, AL. (Read about former Urban Institute student Bryan Kelly's call to Common Ground Montgomery.)

In 2009, we welcomed Parker Street Ministries in Lakeland, FL as a strategic partner. Most people wouldn't think of Lakeland when they think of inner-city problems, but Tim Mitchell and his group have been making a difference in their neighborhood marked by crime, drugs and racial tensions.

In 2009, we also joined forces in Atlanta with Justina Dix and Summerhill Community Ministries in South Atlanta and in 2010 with Nate Ledbetter and FCS Metro Merge just Southeast of downtown Atlanta.

In 2011 are delighted to partner with Trey Hill and Mercy Street Dallas, a ministry to the Lake West neighborhood of West Dallas, TX.

Our vision is to develop 12 thriving and sustainable urban ministries by 2015.