First New Orleans meets needs with The Care Effect ministry

Denise Diano, a member at First Baptist New Orleans, ministers through Care Effect in area parks and gathering points.NEW ORLEANS – At a spring retreat, pastor David Crosby posed a challenge to his staff at First Baptist Church New Orleans: How do we meet the pressing needs of a hurting city and still care for and disciple our members?

The result was Care Effect, a three-pronged initiative of mission service, outreach and congregational care that is exceeding expectations four months after its launch.

“A Bible study might have dwindled by now,” said Anna Palmer, missions minister. “But people have kept coming back. The excitement has continued.”

Care Effect’s three ministry arms are: City Care, a multi-faceted venue that includes a church plant and caring outreach to women in the French Quarter; Community Care, a meal delivery system to those in need inside and outside the church; and Connecting Care, a contact network helping members stay connected and involved.