For 20 years we have been serving in the New Orleans area. What started as disaster relief from Hurricane Katrina has developed into a long-term field with a wide variety of local partners and ministry opportunities. As we look toward what the next years of service will look like, we also are looking for fresh perspectives and new skills to join our team! 

New Orleans is a city full of possibilities, creativity, and hospitality. It also is a place of great need. Our team has worked with individuals, local governments, ministries, and secular non-profits to help them meet needs where we are able. New avenues of service are consistently coming to our attention, and we believe there is a great opportunity for ministry across all of these areas. Today we want to focus on a few areas that are close to our hearts. There are many, many more opportunities than these in New Orleans, and we’d love to hear new ideas and connect with potential partners. 

Construction 

Sitting in the shade of the car port, the Martins told stories of their lives while volunteers painted their home. As an elderly couple, they wouldn’t have been able to do the work themselves, and their children had all moved away. We laughed together, swapped stories, and learned about life in New Orleans.  

During these conversations, the Martins shared their gratitude and further explained their need. Like many retired individuals, they live on a fixed income. While their budget stays the same, prices are skyrocketing. “We can’t afford to have the work done, and we aren’t able to do it ourselves,” shared Stephanie Martin.  

“It was such a blessing to have the volunteers here,” continued Stephanie. “The neighbors would even be proud of the work you did. I’m so happy that you guys are helping. You are helping the community, you are giving back. And we need you!” Labor is just a small part of that impact. Being able to talk to the Martins, encourage them, and listen to their insights and advice was just as much a blessing to the volunteers as it was for them. 

Read about another home repair project with an emotional impact… 

In addition to individual needs, we also support fellow ministries with repairs and maintenance. This allows those ministries to focus their time and money on their programs, while also allowing our volunteers to experience and impact another ministry. Over the years we have been able to work with community centers, schools, churches, shelters, and more.  

Outreach 

Often considered the highlight of the week, every group partners with the New Orleans Mission for their Brown Bag Outreach, where we make bagged lunches to distribute in the street alongside Mission staff. This program is not just about providing food, it is primarily an opportunity for conversation and prayer. The leaders at the Mission teach us that everyone, regardless of their housing status, just wants to be treated like a person. Our goal is to engage in conversations that allow the people we encounter to share about their lives and hopefully pray together. 

Read more about our partnership with the New Orleans Mission… 

While the Mission is a common favorite, our outreach definitely isn’t restricted to this one event. For example, while we work on houses, we always take time to talk to neighbors as they pass. Our renewed Cook Out in St Roch Park is another avenue of outreach that allows for our groups and the community to come together for food, fun, and fellowship! Moreover, our partnership with other ministries is an outreach in and of itself, while also giving us new opportunities to participate in their efforts. 

Read more about the work in St Roch this summer… 

There are a variety of ministries continually looking for new long-term volunteers with unique skills and a heart for service. Opportunities range from music, counselling, youth, arts, immigration, bible studies for all ages, and much more.  

Planting Seeds  

Community gardens have become a common sight around New Orleans, especially in the neighborhoods where we work. For example, we had volunteers work with Woven Roots community garden in St Roch this summer. While there, we were able to talk with and work alongside the family who lives across the street. We got a firsthand look at how these gardens impact the local residents. 

Two young boys were playing in their yard as we started weeding out front. They came over to help, with the permission of their father. Soon, all three were telling us how they love the garden and get fresh produce from it every week! These kids get to learn how to pick out ripe fruits and vegetables which provides healthier options that were not available before.  

Many of these gardens are run part-time by community members. These individuals cannot always be there for volunteers who need an experienced gardener to guide them. We currently partner with multiple community gardens who all have the same wish – more staff. With the importance of their work, we do anything we can to assist these gardens. 

Read more about the benefits of community gardens in New Orleans… 

Another plant-based opportunity is coastal restoration. In Louisiana our marsh-filled coastline is a major projection against hurricanes, provides jobs for fishermen, and is a refuge from city life for many. These organizations have been working with local communities for years and connecting volunteers to unique opportunities. We have been able to plant marsh grasses and trees, work in the plant nursery, bag oysters for future reef builds, and connect with communities that live in the marshlands south of New Orleans.  

We connected with these organizations through answering a call for volunteers. We quickly realized this was an opportunity to meet with people we otherwise would never see. The work itself is rewarding and valuable, as it will affect communities throughout Louisiana for years to come. Moreover, they are also making an impact on an individual level through the partners and community members we work alongside.  

Read more about coastal restoration opportunities in Louisiana… 

We need your help 

Did one of these stories pull your heart strings? Do you have a passion for ministry and volunteering? Do you have a love for New Orleans? If you said yes to any of these, we need YOUR help!  

There are so many opportunities and possibilities for continued ministry in New Orleans, but we need people with relevant skills to join our team. Whether you have a heart for construction, outreach, gardening, youth, volunteering, or any other ministry focus, God will open the doors for ministry; we need you to walk through them with us.  

We have opportunities for year-long internships and full-time staff. Please contact our New Orleans Field Coordinator Allie to find out more opportunities and share your ideas to expand the ministry of CrossRoads New Orleans!  

Email Allie at allie@crossroadsmissions.com 

More opportunities to get involved: 

Support our ministry by DONATING to the New Orleans field 

Schedule your short-term mission trip today! 

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