Youth

Youth Empowerment Program

This ministry is designed to nurture children 18 months to 17 years old in the Word of God. Its goal is to lay a foundation for spiritual growth by teaching them the Word of God on their specific age-level.  Assignment to this area requires a background check and Senior Pastor’s approval.

Children’s Church

Young children and youth are encouraged to participate in Children’s Church on Sundays at 10:30 AM in the New Home Ministries Gym Building, located across the street from the main sanctuary.

Destined to make a difference in the world as we know it, Cory Ricks is a man on a mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ by way of rap music. Born and raised in the rough streets of New Orleans’ 3rd ward, Cory knows all about the ups and downs of life.

His testimony and ministry reaches from the church to the streets, to the young and to the seasoned.  He is the husband of wife, Tiffanie Ricks, and the father of three children, Cory Jr., Cobie, & Calah Ricks. Cory will be the first to explain that it was nothing but the grace, mercy, and favor of God upon his life that has allowed him to be where his is today.

Thus is why after living over a decade for the streets, Cory rededicated himself to Christ and redirected his music into a form of ministry. “I’ve always loved the Lord. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was a child and I’ve always known that He gave me a special gift but I was just hard headed. I wanted to do the music my way instead of the way he ordained me to do it;” Cory recalls. “After doing it my way and the way the world wanted me to do it for about eleven years, I just got tired of it. I didn’t feel like writing those type of lyrics anymore. I actually stopped doing music for a couple of years. In that process I started going to church more, and reading the Word of God more and it hit me like a ton of bricks that the reason I had lost the passion for what I was doing was because it wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing! I was put on this earth to serve God and encourage others to serve God and I should use the gift that He gave me to do that.”

After Cory’s revelation about his musical career, he began to write again. A few months later, he put out his mix tape “Man on a Mission”. With songs like “Blood, Sweat and Tears” and “Change My Ways”, Cory reminds his listeners that he has been through some tough times and he has not forgotten where he’s come from. Songs like “We Gon Change” and “Full Speed Ahead” were written to encourage the listener to not let your past or present situations hold you back from experiencing a better future, and inspire them to never give up on the great things that God has for you. His latest album, “Man with a Vision” is an album full of songs of truth, encouragement and transparency. With songs like “Have Mercy on Me” and “Take Your Mask Off”, Cory is simply being honest about the realities of life and struggle. Then there’s songs like “Stomping on the Devil” and “Get Back Up”, that are fun, and will make you want to dance, while still inspiring you. Cory’s prayer is that his music will bless somebody’s life and ultimately be a factor in someone surrendering their life to Jesus Christ. “I would love to sell a million records, but if one soul is saved after hearing my song, that’s enough for me!”

After all, Cory is no stranger to success. His resume consists of modeling for Roca Wear and performing live at some of New Orleans’ biggest events such as Jazz Fest. He has been an opening act for some of the biggest hip hop stars in the industry. “Even when I did secular music, God opened doors for me and gave me great opportunities. So now I know He’s going to do even bigger things for me now that I’m using my gift for His glory!” Cory’s music is more than just rhyming words and nice beats, it’s a ministry. He is so passionate about the ministry that he also accepted the calling to serve as a Youth Pastor at New Home Family Worship Center in 2012. Cory preaches several times a week at both New Home’s East and Uptown locations.

Cory Ricks is truly a living testimony that with God all things are possible!