Practicums
New Orleans Practicums
The Mission
Homeless shelter ministry is a core part of our practical Urban ministry training. Evangelism in the dayroom of the New Orleans Mission coupled with preaching and altar ministry in the chapel services helps to prepare students to minister to the needs of the homeless in the inner-cities of our country and the world. This experience also gives students a glimpse into the degradation of our society.
The Fischer
Just down the street from SUM is the Fischer Housing Projects. An area known for it's crime and kids. SUM students minister here every Thursday through one-on-one evangelism --"witnessing" and children's ministry which is called "Kids Kraze."
The Quarter
SUM students also participate in street evangelism in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Students share their faith on Canal St. and Bourbon Street AKA "the Pit." The French Quarter is well known for drunkenness, debauchery, and other demonic strongholds such as witchcraft and voodoo.
The Poppies
The "Mary Poppins" neighborhood is another low-income area SUM ministers to. It has been affectionately dubbed the "Poppies." This area has been one of SUM's practicums since the school's inception and has birthed the Living Word Worship Center church-plant. This practicum affords students the opportunity to participate in the services of an established church-plant and minister to the children and young adults of a needy neighborhood.
Southwhite Prison
On Tuesday evenings SUM students minister to the inmates of Southwhite Prison. Students counsel, lead Bible studies, and preach to both the adults and young people.
Rivard
SUM students have the privilege of sharing Christ at Rivard Youth Detention Center on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. On Sunday mornings students assist in leading a corporate worship service, this may include but is not limited to preaching, sharing testimonies, singing songs, etc. On Tuesday evenings students lead a more intimate Bible study with a smaller group of the young people.
Oakland Practicums
Templo De la Cruz Feeding Program
The Templo De la Cruz feeding program allows SUM students to become involved with homeless individuals in the community. The practicum provides one-on-one ministry. In addition, a bible service is presented in order to provide the message of salvation. Finally, a meal is served. This is in keeping with the admonition in James 2:15-16 to not just pay lip service to those less fortunate but to help provide them with the necessities of life.
Madison Middle School Outreach
On Mondays, SUM students spend four hours with the students at Madison Middle School. This practicum enables students to establish relationships in the classroom and the lunchroom, acting as mentors and role models. SUM students also assist teachers in their classrooms.
Sobrante Park (Street Evangelism and Bible Studies)
Every Tuesday between 2:30 and 6:30 SUM students participate in street evangelism in the Sobrante Park Neighborhood. Students share their faith door to door, in the nearby parks, and through follow-up Bible studies in homes.
Prison Fellowship
On Thursday evenings SUM students receive training from Prison Fellowship Ministries. Upon completion, they receive a certificate which gives them access to area jails to minister to the inmates, such as Santa Rita County Jail in the Oakland area. Students provide one-on-one evangelism, lead Bible studies, and conduct an evangelistic service for the inmates.
Warriors Youth Ministry
On Fridays between the hours of 3:30 and 7:30 - SUM students minister to the youth from the surrounding neighborhood. The aim of this practicum is to build relationships with youth between the ages of 13 to 18, provide mentorship and lead them to Christ. SUM students utilize a variety of activities such as sports, games, movie night, and lively chapel services as a vehicle to reach the youth for Christ.
Outstation Ministry
A student involved in an Outstation Ministry Practicum is placed under the supervision of a pastor of a local-church. The purpose of this practicum is to challenge the student for front-line pastoral ministry. The pastor trains the student within a specific area of ministry, such as conducting bible-study, evanglism, teaching, youth, children ministry, etc.
Mardi Gras Practicum
Each year over a million people come to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. SUM students are required to successfully complete two Mardi Gras outreaches for their graduation requirements (Oakland Students complete one Mardi Gras and one additional Ministry outreach.)
Mardi Gras outreach is an opportunity to expose students to the demands of open-air preaching, personal evangelism, and the ministry of reconciling people to God through Jesus Christ. This one-week outreach concludes on Ash Wednesday and gives students an intense mission experience.
SUM students also participate in a cross-denominational, open-air, worship service held each year across from Jackson Square. Every group who have been sharing the Gospel attend. It is always an awesome display of unity in the Body of Christ and an amazing time in God's presence.