November 29

The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. Joshua 14:9

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a great way to end the NEXT series! Lots of people shared how they were going to embrace what God had next for them. From going back to school to opening a memory care assisted living facility, people were challenged and encouraged to move from here to there. Let's keep praying for the NEXT offering as we move into December and the end of the year.

Here's a story from this morning...
I met Connor after the 11am service in Westminster.  But I didn't meet him in the Sanctuary or in the Foyer but in Chipotle! He came up and introduced himself and shared that he had attended off and on with his parents and was currently a Sophomore at Loyola University. He shared how he thought he was a Christ follower his whole life but recently "found his way back" to God and was so excited to embrace what God had next for him. I was so encouraged by his story and so thankful that God allowed me to run into him at Chipotle.

Share your stories below!

November 22

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See I have given Jericho into your hands..." Joshua 6:2

What a great encouraging morning worshiping at both campuses! I am so thankful for ALL our volunteers that make it happen. 

Here's a fun story that culminated this morning...

Michelle is a 20 something new Capernaum leader who is from a deaf family but who has cochlear implants that allow her to hear. She has been signing at our monthly club meetings and last week asked if it would be possible for her to interpret for her deaf sister who was open to coming to church for the first time this Sunday. Of course I said yes. 

Michelle shared this Tuesday night and asked others in our group to pray for her meanwhile, Janet (another member of our group) was working at the front desk on Wednesday afternoon and answered the phone and was asked by the caller if Crossroads had any deaf interpreted services! Well she explained we normally did not but it just so happened that we would this Sunday at 9:30 in Westminster. How cool is that?

November 15

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

NEXT off to a great start! As we began to focus on what's next for Crossroads I want to highlight a few things for everyone on our team.  Over the next 2 weeks I will continue to challenge our congregation to embrace what's next for Crossroads by serving and giving. Our NEXT offering will begin on November 29 and continue through the ed of the year. Our goal that I will continue to communicate from the stage is 100% and $100,000. I would ask that you join me in praying specifically for those goals. Be strong and courageous!

This is one story from this morning from Michelle (A 20 something who serves with us in Capernaum) she wrote to Elizabeth...
...the coolest thing is right before service I saw Lori in the lobby and we were talking and somehow she was led to ask me if I'd be interested serving in children's ministry and funny thing was a few days ago God brought that to my heart but I kept putting it aside BC of fear.   Well I said yes and got an application and then I heard the sermon and it fit so well that being courageous is being afraid but doing it anyway... I always let fear get in the way but at the same time if I'm really still and listen to His whisper - look for opportunity then joy happens! I'm super excited to see what God is going to do at Crossroads! 

Please share your stories below!

November 8

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32

What a great celebration of life!  Thank you to everyone who participated in the baptism services this morning.  We had such a diverse mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. I know the Hampstead campus was with us in spirit and I can't wait until we have out first baptisms there. Maybe some folks who came for the first time today will be those people!

Please share your stories from this week in the comments below!

November 1

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

At the end of a week where we were without power for 2 days the Spirit's power was unmistakably present this morning! As people at each service in Westminster walked up and placed the broken pieces into the pot I could just see the love of the Father becoming more real to each of them. 

Here are a couple of stories...

A young man named Andrew came up after the service and told me he and his wife had moved back to Westminster specifically to reach out to her family who were not Christ followers. He shared through tears how his Father in law had come this morning for the first time!

Gary Hibbs shared with me how the Starting Point topic for this morning was brokenness.  We couldn't have planned that any better if we tried- which we didn't! I love it when God takes our plans and weaves them together better than we could have ever hoped. 

PLEASE share your stories!