Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged! (Deuteronomy 1:21).

Louisiana is in a period of immense change, and Katy Smith and her husband Jonathan are pioneers in bringing the kingdom of God into drug-torn neighborhoods throughout the state.

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Strong local churches and high levels of civic involvement combined with award-winning prosperous downtown neighborhoods have helped the outer areas of West Monroe rise in prosperity. (And not to mention the explosion of the Duck Dynasty fame and influence.)

Under the pleasant small-town surface lies an above average crime rate and a high level of illegal drug use in particular neighborhoods throughout the city. The human toll of illegal drugs is sadly known by every extended family in our nation, everyone has a story.

Katy and Jonathan, recovered from addiction themselves by the power of God, were called by the Lord to step in and offer a kingdom solution in Jesus’ name.

In 2020, they purchased a home in a drug ridden, low-income neighborhood in West Monroe, and put much prayer, sweat, and tears into the project of restoring it to open a recovery facility. While pursuing this home’s renovation, Katy said that God chased them down and called them to buy ten more homes in that same region of Ouachita Parish. She said the neighborhood was full of drug-related crimes and the miseries related to that lifestyle.

They sought the Lord and began to speak life over those properties and took time to drive through the neighborhoods, praying over the homes and speaking out the love of Jesus. They called the prodigal hearts of the people living there back to their original design in God’s plan.

They intentionally prayed blessings over the rundown homes and neighborhoods, undaunted by what they saw in the natural world. Their faith was fueled and compelled by the love of God. They have been there, done that, and know personally that the only lasting freedom from addiction comes through belief in Jesus Christ and His redemptive power.

Katy said, “Where I knew there were dealers selling drugs or doing other illicit things, we along with teams of intercessors would walk and pray as well as drive and pray, seeding the atmosphere with God’s presence.”

Next, Katy and her team showed love to people in the neighborhoods with friendliness and generosity. Right after purchasing the ten homes, a lady came by the neighborhood telling Katy that this was a bad part of town. The woman continued speaking negative about the area and its people until Katy stopped her mid-sentence and told her that the only way to change a neighborhood is to be the change and to be the light.

That moment was a turning point.

She determined they were going to be the light in this dark and broken place. Katy reports, “I told her: don’t speak against the promised land. This property is called Promised Land Properties.” The woman rolled away on her hoverboard smiling. Six months later, Katy saw her coming back down the street by the homes. The woman said, “You weren’t lying! It is all changing pretty quickly.”

By this time all the homes that had been selling drugs were now boarded up, and dealers had moved away from the area. Every time someone spoke against the neighborhood or the homes, Katy would intervene and speak life in Jesus’ name. She anointed the ground of the neighborhood with oil and prayed numerous times for resurrection of life and purpose.

This year, she is proud to report that there has been confirmation from law enforcement in West Monroe, as lower crime rates were shared with her. Policemen, and now city government, have visited and remarked on the improvements in the area including statistics that show a marked drop in crime.

City Data reports that crime in West Monroe has dropped consistently over the last five years. There was a 10% drop in violent crime related to illegal drugs from 2023 to 2024. These reductions in crime continue to this day and are significant and observable, showing a redemptive story on a large scale. 

Partnership between intercessors, recovery homes, law enforcement, and elected officials is making all the difference for individuals, families, and neighborhoods. It is all to the glory of God! It takes just a little bit of change, hope, and commitment to continue to speak life.

Katy’s biggest message to intercessors is, “We can make a difference.” 

Through this journey of helping others find freedom from the bondage of addiction, Katy noted that the Lord led her to bind and break an orphan spirit off the lives of those recovering from addiction in intercession. Through supernatural events, she found her own biological father during this same period of time. Another step towards her own personal restoration was repentance from judging her father for leaving her when she was younger. This led to an even greater increase in ministering that same freedom to those she and Jonathan are called to serve through addiction recovery.  

This entire experience has been a parable of restoration of all things, including souls, families, individual and collective destinies.  

The West Monroe Alderman told Katy his heart is for the youth and restoring family homes.  Now with their shared vision, neighborhoods that were a picture of sin and brokenness are now being raised up through the resurrection power of Christ.  

Pray these prayer points with us: 

• Pray for eyes to see the broken through compassion and that freedom will come by God’s grace to our neighbors trapped in sin.  

• Pray that the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, strategy, and boldness to make an impact for Christ in our cities and communities.  

• Pray for partnership and unity with government officials and faith leaders as a means to reclaim and restore individuals, families, and neighborhoods to wholeness.  

• Pray that Christ is lifted high and righteous standards are brought forth by elected leaders with rededication of neighborhoods and communities to the glory of God.  

Our Faith Declaration:

We decree that our cities and neighborhoods shall be saved and we commit to intercede and serve towards that recovery in Jesus’ name.

What did you think of this powerful testimony? Share your thoughts, prayers, and praises below.

Lisa Townsend is an IFA Regional Field Leader. Katy and Jonathan Smith are believers, intercessors, business owners, and manage ReJoyce The Journey ministries in West Monroe, Louisiana. Photo Credit: Avalon_Studio/Getty Images Signature via Canva Teams.