St. Roch Community Church

Desire Street Ministries has a partner in the Eighth Ward of New Orleans. Replicating many of the elements of DSM's original ministry in the Ninth Ward, the team in the Eighth Ward began work in the St. Roch and St. Claude neighborhoods in early 2007-- and God is establishing a church.

St. Roch Community Church is a multicultural congregation that preaches the Gospel in word and deed, intentionally reaches and disciples youth, and seeks to address the communities' felt needs. Pastor J.B. Watkins and his wife Stephanie moved into the neighborhood soon after the work was launched.

SRCC holds weekly worship services, several Bible studies and monthly outreach events. Each summer, the church partners with DSM's Ninth Ward Ministries
to host a summer day camp which has drawn as many as 100 children. After-school tutoring has also been a great success and the ministry team is encouraged to see participation in youth activities by several parents and caregivers. The Church has assisted with several neighborhood rehab projects, including building a playground at a neighborhood school, and several community development projects are planned, subject to funding.

As a result of the Lord's leading and answered prayer, Desire Street Ministries purchased two adjoining properties in the St. Roch neighborhood to serve the needs of the church plant. The properties are located at the corner of St. Roch Avenue and N. Roman Street, and renovation of the facility is now complete.

Please visit SRCC's website to learn more about what God is doing through this church plant.