Missions Monday: Caring for the City that Care Forgot

Abbey’s Story

When Abbey Caudell attended Passion with other college students from Buck Run in 2016, she had no idea that God would eventually lead her to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she now serves as church planting partner with the North American Mission Board. Through Passion, God awakened her desire to serve with NAMB through GenSend, a program that sends students to serve with churches and ministries across North America. The following summer, GenSend sent Abbey to New Orleans.

When Abbey arrived in New Orleans, she discovered a broken but compassionate city. Through her summer with GenSend, God gave her a heart for the city her pastor calls “the city that care forgot.” She soon understood that people flocked to New Orleans for community and refuge; she also realized that they were actually searching for Christ.

With a newfound love for the city of New Orleans, Abbey returned to Kentucky to finish her degree. After graduation, she began teaching at the Frankfort Christian Academy, and she saw an opportunity to introduce her students to the city she grew to love through a school mission trip. During her trip, she sensed God’s call to return to New Orleans permanently. Soon, with the help of a pastor’s wife in New Orleans, she learned about an opening at a school, and she saw her opportunity. Within two days, she interviewed for the position, and within a week, she was hired. Four days after she was hired, Abbey moved to New Orleans.

Abbey’s Service

Now, Abbey serves as a church planting partner with Lakeshore Church, a church replant in the Bucktown neighborhood of New Orleans. 11,000 people live within one mile of Lakeshore Church, many of whom are hispanic. As a result, the church often engages its community through bilingual services, and it hopes to launch a hispanic church plant soon.

At Lakeshore Church, Abbey fills a variety of roles. She regularly teaches students in student ministry, and she also serves with Lakeshore’s kids and worship ministries. Primarily, though, Abbey’s role revolves around missions and outreach; she works with planning partners to coordinate short-term mission trips to New Orleans. Under her guidance, other churches can assist Lakeshore with evangelism, outreach, and various community service projects. Abbey’s work helps Lakeshore Church to love and serve the city of New Orleans and to make disciples of its people.

How can I pray for Abbey and Lakeshore Church?

  • Pray that the ministries of Lakeshore Church would continue to reach its Bucktown neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Specifically, pray for its upcoming neighborhood crawfish boil and its DNOW weekend.
  • Pray for Lakeshore Church as it sends many of its members to serve in churches around the country. Pray that Lakeshore would send its members well, and pray that God would raise up new members to continue meeting the church’s needs.
  • Pray for Abbey and her family as they continue to adjust to her new life and ministry in New Orleans.

How can I support Abbey?

In addition to praying, you can support Abbey financially. You can mail a check to Lakeshore Church at the address below. Make your check payable to Lakeshore Church, and write Abbey’s name in the memo line.

Lakeshore Church/600 N O Hammond HWY/New Orleans, LA 70124