Taking time to reflect on the last 13 years of my life, my time with CrossRoads Missions has been one where I can see God laced throughout. My time in New Orleans has allowed me to grow and learn so much more than I anticipated for my life. New Orleans is a place where culture thrives, and time slows down. The way of life is different than the small town of Dyersburg, Tennessee where I grew up. It has allowed me to appreciate not only good food, but the time spent with the people it is shared with.

Camp Hope has been the center of the mission field for the entirety of my time serving in New Orleans. The old school building has continuously housed thousands of volunteers each year coming to make a difference in the city I have called home for 13 years. I called the building home for a couple of years. The building has withstood many storms and natural disasters and has become a place for surrounding community members to seek help. The word “hope” in Camp Hope has developed a new meaning over the years. It has been a place for all different people and organizations to come together to offer hope and serve the people of the city and surrounding areas.

One of the most impactful things I have learned during my time here is how important and necessary intentional relationships are with the people around you. There is so much value in learning and listening to the people that you are intending to help. New Orleans has taught me to slow down. I have met so many incredible people during my time. One of my very first projects in the summer of 2013 was gutting the home of a couple, to which my family, Allie, and I, to this day go to their house for dinner each week. The project ended many years ago, but the relationship has lasted for over a decade. The connections and relationships I have made with staff, interns, and volunteers over the years have changed my life for the better.

I started this journey as a single dude with, what I thought was, a cool car and a hope to serve God in the way I felt called. I’m leaving with a minivan, a wife that never thought my car was cool, and two of the greatest blessings of my life. I am ending my time in New Orleans with far more than I could ever imagine. I often think about Rob saying, “This is a good way to live a life”, and I truly believe that it is. As hard as leaving is, I look forward to bringing the spirit of this place to Tennessee. To those I have crossed paths with in the last 13 years, thank you for your time, energy, and passion for serving the great city of New Orleans.

Are you looking to create a life of community, service, and hope in New Orleans? Email Allie to find out how to join the mission team! allie@crossroadsmissions.com