Connecting Point – September 30, 2026

My name is Manley Miller, and I’m the Campus Pastor at Celebration Kenner. I grew up in New Orleans, but have lived in Kenner for the past 18 years. My wife’s name is Dana, and we have 4 children. As a family we love serving the church, traveling together, watching sitcoms, dancing and listening to 80s music, playing dominoes, going to theme parks, cheering on one another in our activities like dance and sports, spending time with our extended family, and making memories together.

I’ve been involved on the Pastoral Staff at Celebration for 25 years, and in those years I’ve seen God transform countless lives through salvations, restored marriages, addictions being broken, people discovering their purpose, and the incredible growth of Celebration Church as it has expanded its reach across our region. I love watching people take their next steps in following Jesus, especially getting baptized.

My studies and preparation for ministry leadership have included my time here at Celebration and years of ministry experience, leadership development, mentoring under incredible pastors, serving in campus leadership, executive leadership, and as chaplain to the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. I spent time attending both LSU and UNO, before transferring to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies.

Some of the things I enjoy as a Pastor with Celebration include helping people discover their gifts and calling, developing leaders, teaching God’s Word in practical ways, building healthy teams, celebrating baptisms, and watching people move from simply attending church to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ.

Some of my favorite things to do when I’m not in “Pastor Mode” include spending time with Dana and our kids, traveling to new and amazing places, enjoying great meals around the city, coaching youth baseball, getting into a swimming pool, following football and basketball, writing songs, reading books on leadership, marketing, and personal growth, and spending time with family and friends.

God has been really blessing us at Celebration Kenner. In the past 12 years since we started our Kenner Campus we have seen 1,066 people declare their faith through baptism. The congregation began as a portable church meeting in the Crowne Plaza hotel, and we’re now located at 3550 Williams Blvd in a facility that was completed in 2018. The testimonies of life change, healing, transformation and discipleship continue to blow our campus team away. We are more than blessed to see all that God has been doing through our Kenner Campus’ ministry in the local and surrounding area.

I have many favorite Bible verses, but one that really stands out to me (or challenges me) is Acts 20:35, where God’s Word says, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” That verse continually reminds me that a life of generosity and serving others is the life Jesus calls us to live.

Here are some upcoming things that we want you to be a part of with our Celebration family, because we know they will bless you and benefit you.

This year’s DIFFERENCE MAKERS CONFERENCE is on Saturday, October 10. This is our annual gathering where leaders and future leaders from all of our campuses join together to worship, grow, and encounter the Lord. This year we are bringing in Pastors Chris and Zach Stephens from Faith Promise Church in Knoxville as our keynote speakers. We’ll also have powerful and helpful breakout sessions led by local leaders like Pastor Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship and Pastor Nathan Young of Community Church. You may not realize this, but you were made to make a difference. Don’t miss what God has in store for you on October 10th. Register today at celebrationchurch.org/dmc.

And this Sunday we continue our EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE Spiritual Growth emphasis. In our Worship Services, Life Groups, Podcasts and through our reading we’re learning how to feed our mind with divine truth, free our mind from destructive thoughts, and focus our mind on the right things. We’ve already learned how to “pull down strongholds” and “change our mind and our lives.” This coming Sunday we’re going to be learning how to “speak words that will transform our mind and our lives.” Encourage some friends to come with you.

Pray for me and my family and my fellow Campus Pastors. Pray that our other Pastors and I will continue to lead with wisdom, humility, integrity, and courage; that we would remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit, faithfully shepherd God’s people, and always point others to Jesus. Please also pray for our families as we serve together in ministry. And be sure to let us know how we can be praying for you and for others.

Manley Miller
Pastor, Kenner Campus