May 31 - Blitz Weekend

Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1

So many great things happen when we put our faith into action.  So many blessed on both sides of the equation this weekend at the Blitz and at the Sunday services.  PLEASE share your experiences so that we can celebrate together.

Mark Batterson writes, "Hearing a testimony is the way I borrow faith from others.  Sharing my testimony is the way I loan my faith to others.  If we aren't sharing testimonies, we're cutting off circulation to the body of Christ."

Share yours in the comments below!

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting

As we seek to follow God's leading in our first campus launch we commit to prayer and fasting for 40 days.  Share your insights and encouragements in the comments below!

May 24

Faith without works is dead!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Our prayer for this weekend was for people to be challenged to put their faith into action.  Whether with one of our Be the Church Blitz projects or simply on their own the "win" is anywhere faith is combined with action.

One conversation that blessed me this morning was with Melissa Hilliard between services.  You may know Melissa's father just passed away this week and she is planning the funeral for him next weekend- Saturday during the Blitz.  Here's the cool part of the story.  Her Dad who had an awesome faith really wanted the funeral to be held at Crossroads even though he never attended. He knew how important our church had been for Melissa's faith and his hope was that the rest of the family who are not Christ followers would see the local church in action and be drawn to Christ themselves.  What a fantastic vision for someone who knows this life is not all there is!  And what a great part of "Being the Church!"

Please share your stories of how you've seen God in the Comments below!

May 17

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:8-10

Wow! There were so many different elements to todays services it was hard to focus on just one... Here are some ways I saw God at work.  Please share your own observation in the comments section.

- Roger was a real blessing to have with us all morning.  He is someone who just drips with passion for people to know Jesus.  I was challenged listening to him!

- The baptisms at the 10 O'clock service made the timing a challenge but was such a great opportunity to serve a family and model our commitment to young families.  Ashley and Justin were blessed.

- While the Contestibles served our volunteers their daughter was visiting with a friend who is a spiritual seeker.  Jenna shared with me how the combination of Roger's story with the scripture from Ephesians was just what her friend needed to hear.  But it was the Be the Church Blitz that made him take notice that we did not just talk about faith.  Very cool!

May 10

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

What a great response this morning to the beginning of our Good Works series!  Lots of interest in Appalachia (after Jenn's story who would't be interested!)  A few technical issues at both locations didn't stop God's Spirit from being active.  Discover U and Starting Point classes were filled with new people signing up as late as last night.  It's so encouraging to see people taking next steps in their faith!  Thanks for being a part of the team that makes it possible.

Please share your experiences in the comments section below so that we can all rejoice together!

May 3

Where your treasure is there is your heart also. 

Just back from 2 days in Charlotte at Sticky Teams Conference!  Some great stories from last weekend and our FIRST HAMPSTEAD SERVICE!!

So excited about what is doing and the people He has assembled to lead us.  If you were at the Hampstead Launch or at the Sticky Teams Conference please share your experiences in the comments below.

My first reaction to the conference is to identify young leaders in our congregation and give them opportunities to lead.

Baptism Sunday April 25

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Mt. 28:19

What a fantastic celebration this morning!  It is such a privilege to witness the life-changing faith in the lives of people we know and humbling to think that God has used us as part of the process.  Thank you everyone who played a role in making this morning happen!

There are so many God moments to share from this morning.  Here are a few... PLEASE share the stories from folks you know who were baptized today in the COMMENTS section so we can rejoice together!

- I got to hear the back story from Chris Howard tonight of how God had been working through so many different relationships and encounters all week.  Chris had been texting and talking with Don Dorsey about getting baptized and ended up feeling called himself to proclaim his own faith (along side Don!)  He even ran into Matt Michael in the changing room that encouraged both of them!  Way to go fellas!

- Billie Ward was someone who knew my Mom from Westminster Methodist church and could really relate to her story.  Billie has served our body in so many ways and today God prompted her to be baptized.  She really believes God is not finished with her yet!

April 19

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

I had a different perspective today...not from the stage!  Here's where I saw God at work; 

(Please add your Amen moments in the comments section)

- I had some great conversations with men who are nominated for leadership this year.  I am encouraged by the way God continues to build our team.  I don't claim to know how God will lead these men through the confirmation process but they are already partners in the Gospel and ints a privilege to serve together.

- Perhaps the most impactful moment for me came in a car ride after the last service.  Elizabeth's Mom made it to the 11:30 service but her Dad, who was staying with us for the weekend did not feel up to coming.  So her Mom asked if we could listen to the Easter message on while we drove them back to Rockville.  After listening to the message her Dad began asking all sorts of questions about the resurrection and having faith in Christ.  We ended up praying together before we dropped them off.  God is always at work!

April 12

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name Mt. 6:9

Thanks to everyone who made this Sunday a success for so many people.  Here are a few stories of how I saw God at work today.  Please share your won stories in the comments section!

- I had several people come up after each service who wanted to talk about the prayers that God had not answered in their lives.  Many of them had never been able to express their frustration or questions about prayer with anyone.  The conversation was an opportunity for God to work!

- I heard discussions about both care workshops coming up in the next 2 weeks. Caring for aging parents seemed to strike a chord with many people and the encouragement to pray was received with enthusiasm by many.

Easter Weekend

Why do you look for the living among the dead?

He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:5

What a fantastic celebration of the resurrection!  To everyone on the team a huge thank you for whatever role you played.  This was a total team effort.  Well done good and faithful servants!

Here are some highlights from the weekend (please add your own in the comment section!!)

- The constant stream of people who came to the stations of the cross on Good Friday all left with a profound experience of the Lord in prayer.  The station on vulnerability really ministered to a young couple who had just lost a baby through miscarriage last month.  People connected with God in so many authentic ways when we just allowed the space for it to happen.

- I met numerous people who had first time guests with them today.  Some were family and others who friends or co-workers.  I know one guest was the result of several years of invitations and more than 10 years of prayer. 

- I saw some friends who have moved away but who were back for the holidays and they each expressed how there's no place like Crossroads for them.  Even those who have found great churches wherever they are still call Crossroads home and say it feels like home whenever they come back!