About Our Pastor
Elder Willie L. Monnet, Sr., is the founding pastor of Smoking for Jesus Ministry originally located in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the husband of the Elect Lady Minister Claudette Monnet, father of eight children, 17 grandchildren and spiritual father to many.
He is God’s energetic preacher, dynamic teacher, mentor and friend. God has given him a very unique style of ministering; whereby it challenges one to live a life of holiness, sanctification and discipleship.
Elder Monnet received the Lord as his Savior in 1976 and began attending First Assembly of God Church where he received his spiritual foundation and training for 13 years.
In 1989 he moved to Gideon Christian Fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Willie F. Wooten and served as an Elder for 7 years. He began his call to minister to men in 1990 teaching Sunday school, men’s bible study, Wednesday discipleship class, intercessory prayer and in-house marriage seminars.
In 1996 God called Pastor Monnet to become the founder and shepherd of Smoking for Jesus Ministry. God has imparted His wisdom to this visionary to disciple his congregation to live out the Word of God on a daily basis. He has given Pastor Monnet the tenacity to preach and teach in such a way that it challenges one to become strong witnesses to the lost and lights to a dying world.
This ministry has reached hundreds of men, women and children in New Orleans, LA, Texas and its surrounding areas as well as globally via the internet.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated our church community and most of our congregant’s homes. Under Pastor Monnet’s leadership, he brought nearly 200 people including members, friends and relatives out of harm’s way; he only imagined that our evacuation be no more than 3 days. Three weeks later, the Gulf Coast was struck again by hurricane Rita, making it impossible to return to New Orleans. The details of our exodus are a modern day comparison to Moses leading the children of Israel from Egypt. This journey lasted more than 40 days. The church eventually settled down in Burnet, Texas (60 miles west of Austin, Texas).
Under his vigilant care, several discipleship and outreach ministries within the ministry have been birthed. The following ministries were in effect in New Orleans before hurricanes Katrina and Rita and are now growing in numbers in the Hill Country of Burnet Texas.
Men’s Bible Study – Began as an outreach to men from all backgrounds, denominations and church affiliations in January 1997. He ministers to men and boys every Monday night on spiritual growth, teaching men how to lead their families in the way of righteousness whereby producing strong families and better communities.
Prison Ministry – Pastor Monnet first began his Prison Ministry outreach while at Gideon Christian Fellowship in 1994 ministering at Elyan Hunts Correctional Institution in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. He was faithful to keep his schedule to visit the prisoners and share the Gospel. In 2002 he trained and disbursed his ministerial staff to minister at the New Orleans Missions, Central Lockup and Rehabilitation Centers. Today Pastor Monnet and his ministerial staff preach and teach at the San Saba Correctional Facility in Texas on a weekly basis.
Prison Correspondence Course Ministry – On April 19, 2006 the first lesson was mailed to an inmate in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Today, there are over 2000 participants in the program at 79 correctional facilities as well as civilians in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia.
Radio Ministry – The summer of 2002 Pastor began ministering on Radio 1060 AM in New Orleans and the surrounding areas twice a day during the week for more than 8 years. August 29, 2005 the City of New Orleans was devastated by the onslaught of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, however listeners were able to tune in to the radio program about two weeks after the disaster and the radio program ran successfully for an additional 2 years on the air.
Streaming Faith Ministry - Can be seen via the internet 24 hours a day.
Ministers in Training – Has trained and ordained 17 Ministers of the Gospel, and has 8 ministers in training at present.
The House of Leah - A residence house for single mothers working in the ministry, with the purpose of providing a safe place to live and work while teaching life skills and job training.
House of Joseph - A residence house for single brothers working in the ministry, with the purpose of providing a safe place to live and work while teaching life skills and job training.
Smoking For Jesus Christian School – Established in the fall of 2004 to the present; providing Christian Education to 54 children grades Pre-K to 8th Grade.
Along with God’s abundant spiritual aspects of the ministry, Pastor Monnet is actively pursuing the vision of providing job opportunities and entrepreneurship training which will enable the people of God to be independent and free to do the work of the ministry, while at the same time growing to spiritual maturity. Under Pastor Monnet’s leadership the ministry provides employment for over 50 employees.
Through his leadership the ministry owned and operated The Smoke House Restaurant, In the Master’s Hands Lawn Care Services, From Glory to Glory Barber & Beauty and SFJM Car Wash in New Orleans from 2000 to 2005. These businesses provided employment and entrepreneur opportunities for ministry workers.
The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant (3 locations) serves the Original New Orleans Cuisine in the Hill Country of Texas and employs 33 full and part-time workers.
His latest accomplishment is the development of the Land of Promise Subdivision for our church members who lost homes as a result of the disaster. A book about the story of the Exodus of the church written by Pastor Monnet will be released at the end of June, 2010 entitled “Mount Up”, How One Church Survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Pastor Monnet has been vigilant to keep the vision of the ministry alive by continuing to preach, teach, mentor and exhort the people of God to continue serving the Lord in spite of their circumstances. God has given HIM the wisdom and understanding on how to lead HIS people, care for HIS flock, and keep them together as the ministry reestablishes in the Hill Country community.
Since moving to Texas the church membership has increased and prospered to over 300 people and still growing.
He is God’s energetic preacher, dynamic teacher, mentor and friend. God has given him a very unique style of ministering; whereby it challenges one to live a life of holiness, sanctification and discipleship.
Elder Monnet received the Lord as his Savior in 1976 and began attending First Assembly of God Church where he received his spiritual foundation and training for 13 years.
In 1989 he moved to Gideon Christian Fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Willie F. Wooten and served as an Elder for 7 years. He began his call to minister to men in 1990 teaching Sunday school, men’s bible study, Wednesday discipleship class, intercessory prayer and in-house marriage seminars.
In 1996 God called Pastor Monnet to become the founder and shepherd of Smoking for Jesus Ministry. God has imparted His wisdom to this visionary to disciple his congregation to live out the Word of God on a daily basis. He has given Pastor Monnet the tenacity to preach and teach in such a way that it challenges one to become strong witnesses to the lost and lights to a dying world.
This ministry has reached hundreds of men, women and children in New Orleans, LA, Texas and its surrounding areas as well as globally via the internet.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated our church community and most of our congregant’s homes. Under Pastor Monnet’s leadership, he brought nearly 200 people including members, friends and relatives out of harm’s way; he only imagined that our evacuation be no more than 3 days. Three weeks later, the Gulf Coast was struck again by hurricane Rita, making it impossible to return to New Orleans. The details of our exodus are a modern day comparison to Moses leading the children of Israel from Egypt. This journey lasted more than 40 days. The church eventually settled down in Burnet, Texas (60 miles west of Austin, Texas).
Under his vigilant care, several discipleship and outreach ministries within the ministry have been birthed. The following ministries were in effect in New Orleans before hurricanes Katrina and Rita and are now growing in numbers in the Hill Country of Burnet Texas.
Men’s Bible Study – Began as an outreach to men from all backgrounds, denominations and church affiliations in January 1997. He ministers to men and boys every Monday night on spiritual growth, teaching men how to lead their families in the way of righteousness whereby producing strong families and better communities.
Prison Ministry – Pastor Monnet first began his Prison Ministry outreach while at Gideon Christian Fellowship in 1994 ministering at Elyan Hunts Correctional Institution in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. He was faithful to keep his schedule to visit the prisoners and share the Gospel. In 2002 he trained and disbursed his ministerial staff to minister at the New Orleans Missions, Central Lockup and Rehabilitation Centers. Today Pastor Monnet and his ministerial staff preach and teach at the San Saba Correctional Facility in Texas on a weekly basis.
Prison Correspondence Course Ministry – On April 19, 2006 the first lesson was mailed to an inmate in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Today, there are over 2000 participants in the program at 79 correctional facilities as well as civilians in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia.
Radio Ministry – The summer of 2002 Pastor began ministering on Radio 1060 AM in New Orleans and the surrounding areas twice a day during the week for more than 8 years. August 29, 2005 the City of New Orleans was devastated by the onslaught of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, however listeners were able to tune in to the radio program about two weeks after the disaster and the radio program ran successfully for an additional 2 years on the air.
Streaming Faith Ministry - Can be seen via the internet 24 hours a day.
Ministers in Training – Has trained and ordained 17 Ministers of the Gospel, and has 8 ministers in training at present.
The House of Leah - A residence house for single mothers working in the ministry, with the purpose of providing a safe place to live and work while teaching life skills and job training.
House of Joseph - A residence house for single brothers working in the ministry, with the purpose of providing a safe place to live and work while teaching life skills and job training.
Smoking For Jesus Christian School – Established in the fall of 2004 to the present; providing Christian Education to 54 children grades Pre-K to 8th Grade.
Along with God’s abundant spiritual aspects of the ministry, Pastor Monnet is actively pursuing the vision of providing job opportunities and entrepreneurship training which will enable the people of God to be independent and free to do the work of the ministry, while at the same time growing to spiritual maturity. Under Pastor Monnet’s leadership the ministry provides employment for over 50 employees.
Through his leadership the ministry owned and operated The Smoke House Restaurant, In the Master’s Hands Lawn Care Services, From Glory to Glory Barber & Beauty and SFJM Car Wash in New Orleans from 2000 to 2005. These businesses provided employment and entrepreneur opportunities for ministry workers.
The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant (3 locations) serves the Original New Orleans Cuisine in the Hill Country of Texas and employs 33 full and part-time workers.
His latest accomplishment is the development of the Land of Promise Subdivision for our church members who lost homes as a result of the disaster. A book about the story of the Exodus of the church written by Pastor Monnet will be released at the end of June, 2010 entitled “Mount Up”, How One Church Survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Pastor Monnet has been vigilant to keep the vision of the ministry alive by continuing to preach, teach, mentor and exhort the people of God to continue serving the Lord in spite of their circumstances. God has given HIM the wisdom and understanding on how to lead HIS people, care for HIS flock, and keep them together as the ministry reestablishes in the Hill Country community.
Since moving to Texas the church membership has increased and prospered to over 300 people and still growing.
About Our Elect Lady
Minister Claudette Monnet
Minister Monnet came to know the Lord in 1986 and understood what it really meant to be saved and put her trust in the Lord in 1988. In 1989 met and married Pastor Willie Monnet.
Through the divine intervention of God their marriage brought together two broken families separated through divorce and hard times. (Four girls by Minister Monnet and four boys by Pastor Monnet)
Minister Monnet immediately began her ministry of mothering to hundreds of young people that never truly knew the nurturing love of God.
She mentors women on a daily basis and twice weekly she teaches the “A Woman God Can Use” bible study class to every woman who is willing to receive what God has for them through a spiritual mother and a spirit of nurturing to be able to feed others.
While she oversees the dance ministry, House of Leah (home for single women), and Administrative staff, she also undergirds her husband in all of the ministry affairs. She not only teaches how a woman can be used by God but daily exemplifies it in her Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Minister Monnet came to know the Lord in 1986 and understood what it really meant to be saved and put her trust in the Lord in 1988. In 1989 met and married Pastor Willie Monnet.
Through the divine intervention of God their marriage brought together two broken families separated through divorce and hard times. (Four girls by Minister Monnet and four boys by Pastor Monnet)
Minister Monnet immediately began her ministry of mothering to hundreds of young people that never truly knew the nurturing love of God.
She mentors women on a daily basis and twice weekly she teaches the “A Woman God Can Use” bible study class to every woman who is willing to receive what God has for them through a spiritual mother and a spirit of nurturing to be able to feed others.
While she oversees the dance ministry, House of Leah (home for single women), and Administrative staff, she also undergirds her husband in all of the ministry affairs. She not only teaches how a woman can be used by God but daily exemplifies it in her Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
