Greater St. Stephen brings worship service to the Business District
23rd July 2012 · 0 Comments
By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer
Since the late 1940s, the Joy Theater brought many locals together for movie premieres until its doors closed in 2003. On a recent Sunday, people returned to the CBD landmark for a different type of debut, thanks to Greater St. Stephen Ministries.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place as Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Church brought its 11:30 a.m. service to the downtown venue for the first time. The event, dubbed The Greater Joy Worship Experience, welcomed guests that included Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Pastor Marvin Winans.
The renowned church currently holds Sunday worship services at its New Orleans east location, along with services at Changing a Generation FGBC in Atlanta.
Jumpstarting the resurgence of the downtown theater district, the Joy was renovated and reopened as a live performance/concert venue on December 29, 2011.
“It’s a blessed weekend-for the city of New Orleans—Amen.” Mayor Landrieu said; welcoming Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Debra B. Morton (and Greater St. Stephen) to the downtown area. “There is a new sense of joy and purpose in this building -that has seen so much.”
He addressed the importance of facing the problem of crime in the African-American community and the role church can play to advocate change. Though the event culminated a weekend of celebration (Essence Festival), he called everyone to remain focused on the problem of our city losing (in particular African-American males) to violence.
“Many of the acts of violence and destruction that we see in the city are, to me, manifestations of the struggle within troubled people, “Pastor Morton said. “As the old adage goes ‘Hurt people, hurt people’ so if we bring the message of Christ (which is love) and rebuild the people from the inside out we can definitely impact New Orleans and the world as a whole.”
Pastor Morton addressed a standing room-only crowd despite ongoing events taking place at the nearby Convention Center (for the start of the final day of the 2012 Essence Festival)
“The first service was fantastic and the turnout was great,” Pastor Debra Morton told The Louisiana Weekly. “I sincerely feel that we are meeting the needs as well as helping to rebuild the people in our community, as well as those who travel to be with us.”
“We are open for business,” she told those in attendance. “We’re here to do business for God.”
Member Chanel Williams was excited to worship at the new venue. “I’ve been a member for ten and a half years,” she said. “This will be more convenient for people who may not be able to get to the New Orleans East location (and that may have gone to the S. Liberty/ uptown location before the fire). I certainly wasn’t expecting so many people to come out —that’s a wonderful sign. I’m excited to see what the Joy looks like inside—I haven’t been in such a long time.”
Greater St. Stephen Ministries; like locals, have overcome many obstacles (hurricane Katrina and later a fire at the S. Liberty location); but is ready to help the CBD turn a corner in its journey of rebuilding.
“God placed it in my spirit four years ago to do a marketplace church: a church in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the city, a church that puts the presence of God within walking distance of all the things for which people come downtown, “Pastor Morton told The Louisiana Weekly. “I was inspired by God and what I saw as a New Orleans native. Anyone familiar with Canal Street knows that the area is a cultural and socio-economic gumbo, with people from many walks of life, career paths and spiritual well-beings. When I walk downtown I see the hopelessness in some people’s eyes, I see the lost and I value the opportunity to restore their faith and bring Greater Joy to them.”
Pastor Morton stated that Greater St. Stephen plans to do mission work in the area as well.
“I am so excited for (Pastor D), excited for ‘Greater’ and I’m excited for Canal Street,” Bishop Paul Morton said.
“Do you all realize what is getting ready to happen in this area?” he asked the crowd. “I believe because of ‘Greater,’ Bourbon Street is going be changed. Tourists and hotels are going to say,’What’s going on? I see something—I see people going into the Joy. This is history in the making, because (Pastor Debra Morton) followed this vision.”
Nelson Avery didn’t have a church home, but saw Pastor Morton on a TV commercial and decided to come to the service.
“I saw Pastor D on television and I decided to come and see what I’d get out of it,” he said. “I was looking to rededicate my faith; my brother was a member of the church when it was in Central City.”
Avery; who decided to officially become a member after the service, recalls coming to the Joy many years ago.
“I remember coming to the Joy with my girlfriend a long time ago—some good times here back in the day,” he said.
“I hope people down here will take advantage of this location,” Avery added. “I’m down near Broad and Orleans; so it’s not that far for me—you’ve got the bus right here and the streetcar; transportation right outside the building. I hope more people come and check it out.“
Greater St. Stephen is hopeful the Greater Joy worship service can be available on a long-term basis for downtown residents and tourists alike.
This article originally published in the July 23, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
