A Superior Calling

PRAISE REPORT:

Below is an article that my good friend (Dr. Jeff Cook) wrote for the Louisiana Baptist Magazine about our church. When I was interviewed for this article I shared about an experience of having dinner with a couple in Uptown. I have amazing news! Two Wednesday nights ago, my dad (Dr. Don Wilton) preached at our church about the importance of the family and the church. The couple that is mentioned in the article came to church on that night for the first time. Our friend surrendered her life to Christ and her husband is asking some great questions. Pray for us as we disciple this couple and their little girl.

God is doing a great work in New Orleans through Vintage. Thanks for your prayers and support!

"A Superior Calling"
by Dr. Jeff Cook

When you visit New Orleans, everyone knows to ask where to eat. Most people know to visit some very special eating establishments like Café Du Monde. But if you live in Uptown New Orleans, you frequent places like Buddha Belly, Ignatius, Storyville, Slim Goodies, or Fuel Coffee House. Walk down Magazine Street to visit one of these eclectic locations and you will discover Vintage Church, another new church plant in Uptown.

Rob and Annabeth Wilton were in Seminary when Katrina hit New Orleans. They moved to South Carolina, then returned to serve with the MissionLab program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. When they moved back to live in a very different New Orleans, they began to realilze that God had prepared them for a different kind of ministry in the new, New Orleans. Rob and Annabeth Wilton were meeting with friends at Superior Grill Restaurant in Uptown New Orleans when their conversation began to be about Jesus. As the friends were eating and talking, "It just clicked." We fell in love with the people of Uptown." When Rob and Annabeth left that meal, they realized they could minister to people like their friends, and they knew that the best way to do that was through a local church.

They began to pray that God would help them start a new church. After a few months, Rob and a core team launched this new church in the heart of Uptown. Vintage Church currently meets Wednesday nights above Temple Gym. More than 50 people attend and the group ranges from "church hoppers to bar hoppers." Sunday Services and Life Groups will launch in the fall of 2008.

Rob (who is the lead planter/pastor of preaching and vision) is joined by Page Brooks and Andrew Ogea. Page is the pastor of teaching and strategy for Vintage and Andrew is the pastor of worship leadership and discipleship. Page and his wife Ashley have a daughter (Karis) and he serves as Professor of Theology & Islamic Studies at NOBTS. Andrew and his wife Amy are newlyweds and he has served over the past six years as worship leader at Northshore Church in Slidell.

When you come to New Orleans, order a poboy at Masparo's, ride a trolley car down St. Charles, come grab coffee at Fuel and then look for Vintage Church and be blessed.