On Friday our new concrete floor was poured in what will become our reception area and intercession and file room. We needed a new floor because the old one was made of brick and only half the floor existed when we took ownership the building. Once we removed it created a 5 inch drop when you entered the room, so we had to level the floor to create a smooth transition for all the existing and new entrances into the room. This also puts us in compliance with the ADA.

Before the concrete was poured we wrote several scriptures and declarations on the old floor dedicating the Center to the Lord and proclaiming healing to all who enter the building.

Next week we will begin framing the new rooms. Praise the Lord!

We now have a new doorway to our half-bath that is being converted to a handicap accessible restroom. Using a special saw (a monster saw) we were able to cut through the brick wall and create the opening. We had to remove some drywall, remove the toilet, and do some minor electrical work before we made the cut. We also took down a section of framing in the garage to further the development of our new 4ft hallway. Tomorrow the concrete man will be here early to prepare the reception area for the load of concrete coming. We prepared the area tonight by writing scriptures and declarations on the ground to be covered so we’ll have a biblical foundation for the Healing Center.

We also spent a bit of time praying over the property and quoting scriptures that declare this God’s property. We’ll put up some more shots tomorrow.

Please pray for the provision to finish the Center, and if you sense God leading you to join the Gideon 300 by making a one time gift of $100, you can always click on the donate button on the right of this blog.

God Bless!

That’s what it felt like when the wall fell down today, breakthrough. We made some major progress today as we were able to take down a 4’ x 7’ section of brick wall to create an opening that will join our reception area to our 3 healing rooms. We had a few obstacles to overcome to accomplish the work. The plan was to knock out brick by brick using a drill and chisel, but after tearing out the wall board covering the brick veneer we learned that the method the contractor suggested wasn’t going to work. This place was extremely well built. Even the studs used in the walls are the best material from the era the house was built, and the brick wasn’t coming out that easy. God knew this place was going to be used for His Kingdom.

Anyway, it didn’t take long to make a decision to get a special saw to cut through the brick, but then it took 4 calls to find a rental and we had to take a short road trip to get one and the blade had to be purchased separately. Now, we knew we were going to have a time with this wall when we were cutting through a section of pipe that needed to be removed earlier and the electric saw completely broke in the process. LOL! We preserved and I knew the Lord was going to come through for us. After all, it was the Lord that told us to build this thing.

We have one more opening to build that will link the half bath to the center and we’ll have that done tomorrow. Once these openings are complete we will schedule the contractor to come and pour concrete flooring needed to level the reception area, then we can begin framing walls. More to come, keep praying.

With the permit process behind us, it is now time to begin the renovation work that will lead to the new Louisiana Healing Center. This week we’ll begin by tearing down sections of an existing wall to make way for the new fire wall that was ordered by the State Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshall also ordered an emergency exit that we will have to create in a brick wall towards the back of the building. We’ll also be taking down sections of two brick walls to make a new door frame and a new hallway, and this has to be done before we can lay concrete in the new reception area.


We’re very excited to move forward with the Healing Center. Once the work is complete we will be able to help many folks discover true freedom in Christ. Although the Center is located in the Greater New Orleans Region, it will serve all of Louisiana as the State head quarters and model for Healing Rooms Ministries.
The Lord has given us many words about our work in New Orleans and the building we were given last year. One that we received directly was out of I Kings 9:3,

“I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”

It is words like this that help us move forward when times are challenging. We ask that you would pray for us that all the work done be done in God’s timing with God’s provision.
We’ll post some pics of our progress tomorrow evening. This is exciting!

Those words, spoken emphatically, came out of the mouth of a man staying at the New Orleans Mission. He told me, “People need to know that just because a person is staying at the mission doesn’t make them an alcoholic, or a drug user, or a bum!”  His name is Steve and he worked in plastics until his company was forced to let hundreds go due to economic challenges. After unemployment ran out and Steve couldn’t find a job, he lost everything.  Steve is quick to tell you he’s not lazy. He now has a job but can’t afford all the expenses of renting an apartment, but with great resolve he says he’s going to make it.

I believe Steve will make it, but not because of his resolve, but because while staying at the mission he heard a volunteer share the Gospel and Steve now has a relationship with Jesus and understands the power of the Holy Spirit. Indeed these are challenging economic times and many we see in homeless shelters are like Steve: hard working people who fell on hard times.

According to the US Dept. of Labor the nation’s average unemployment rate is 9.1%, and roughly 150 US metropolitan areas have a rate of 9.2% or higher, with more than 30 metropolitan areas with unemployment rates between 13 and 28 percent. No wonder many homeless shelters are overflowing with people in need.

Church, this is an opportunity to put faith into action. The world needs to know that Jesus really is their Savior.  When John the Baptist had a crisis of faith and sent messengers to ask Jesus if He really was the coming Savior, Jesus’ response was simple: “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Luke 7:22. In other words, the evidence of who I am is the fruit of my actions.

Maybe you’re not operating the in realm of miracles, signs, and wonders. You can and you probably should, but no matter what you can always preach the gospel to the poor. It’s very likely you have a Mission or Homeless shelter nearby where you can volunteer and bring the love of Jesus to a people that, like John the Baptist and Steve, need to know He is their Savior. Actions may speak louder than words, but you’re actions also give merit to your words. Church, let’s be the church.

Although the waters of St. Bernard may be safe for fishermen to return, not all of the surrounding areas are oil free. If you watch this news story and look into the eyes of Russell Dardar and hear his voice, you’ll see why we are so admit about opening the Louisiana Healing Center. When you hear his accent you may need to remind yourself you’re still in America, although Southeast Louisiana is nothing like the rest of the Country. Please help us help the people of the Greater New Orleans region by saying “yes” to the Gideon’s Call.

This story came out just 9 days ago. This video features Louisiana’s State Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein.  The challenge the Greater New Orleans area faces is that there are not enough resources to meet the needs in the community. In Southeast Louisiana, 1800 churches were damaged or destroyed by Katrina and many have not returned. Some that returned have staff and outreach ministries, but many do not have the capacity to handle the volume of people struggling, and that’s where the Louisiana Healing Center can help. While many international ministries came to help families gut and rebuild their homes in the aftermath of Katrina, almost all left after 2 1/2 years. And when the Gulf oil crisis hit, less than a handful came. Please join us as we bring the light of Jesus to this community, and restor lives and renew hope.

This video shows the problem that people are facing in the Greater New Orleans area.  Please join us as we bring the solution: the healing Power of Jesus. Please pray that 300 people will say yes and give a one time gift of $100 so we can open the Louisiana Healing Center and begin ministering healing to the people.

Keith and Cindi,

Good Morning!

Put me down for $100. I believe in what you’re trying to do. And, if my response today can help persuade others, feel free to use it.

I thought I knew what ministry was for the first 25 years of my ministry, until Hurricane Katrina struck. I suppose if I took the time to read all the books, or went to all the conferences that deal with stress and anxiety, especially after a major disaster, I would learn important stuff. But, instead, I’ve spent my time as a Senior Pastor; District Pastor; and Night Chaplain at the grass roots of our community, experiencing things first hand, practically on a daily basis. I’ve been preaching hope for years to people who I thought were in need. In their minds, I guess they did have needs. All needs are important to the Father, so they should be to me, too. But, the needs around here after the storm just seemed deeper.

I can appreciate all the recovery work that’s been done in the greater New Orleans area over these past five years. I can even appreciate them wanting to build a nice new medical complex in Central City that will employ thousands, and do much good. Yet, when they decided not to re-open Charity Hospital, where the entire third floor used to be a Psychiatric Ward, it spelled trouble. New housing has replaced some of the old housing projects that have been torn down. The Superdome now was not only repaired, but has upgrades. I tell my wife all the time, driving around our city, it’s easy to see where the money is, because that’s where the most progress is being seen. Except when it comes to mental health needs.

They have not yet supplied anything near close to a substitute for even what we had at Charity, to help those in need, much less the many thousands of folks living with great despondency because of what they lost in the storm; the oil spill; and just everyday life. Well, anybody with a working brain knows that it was the faith-based groups that did the most good responding to Katrina, and not the government. This is another such case. It needs to be…it has to be…God’s community of believers that will step up and reach out. That’s not altogether bad, either. After all, the government can only offer “treatment” at best. God’s people have the light of the Gospel inside of them, and can share it with those walking in spiritual and emotional darkness. The only hope for these…is the only hope for all: Jesus Christ! In the song, “God of The City”, it declares the He is the, “light in the darkness; hope for the hopeless; peace to the restless”. Let’s share that light!

Be Blessed!

Pastor Terry Ray
New Day Christian Center
New Orleans Mission