September 13

On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Mt. 16:18

After watching parts of 2 services on live stream this morning and attending church in Chapel Hill I am struck again at how amazing it is that God entrusts something so incredibly important to us! I want to remind us all that as we launch out into new uncharted territory this Fall it is all because people matter to God. Every new seat is an opportunity for a relationship.

Here's a story of life-changing faith from the eyes of a Capernaum kid that Elizabeth shared with me today.  Please share your comments below...

So, I used to not like going to Church. I also didn't like being Christian. Because the places I went for church we'd always talk about the same topics over and over again. But once we found Crossroads Church that's when I found my home. I've made friends with so many amazing people. I also admire the fact that I'm not the only one with a disability going to this church. A couple of my team mates go to this church. The other churches that I've gone too I was pretty much laughed at or picked on. But this church? You can wear any clothes your comfortable in. They have so many amazing groups you can be in. They make you feel right at home and their just like my second family! The pastor of the church is amazing, sweet, and very down to earth. He is a lot of fun and great to be around. I've been going to Capernaum for maybe six years now? I'm not too sure. Feels like it's been forever since I've been having a major blast there. I've met amazing friends. If it weren't for this Church I wouldn't of met Elizabeth Robinette, Tiffany Lewis, DeeDee Lehner, Kelly Olson, Kalynn Maschelle, Christy Lynn, and everyone else. I will admit throughout my teenage life I didn't know if I wanted to be a Christian. I was so angry at life and everything. But these amazing people have helped lift up my spirit and bring back the love of the Lord and Jesus back into my heart. I love them very much and am so grateful for their friendship!

September 6

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

For everyone who was not here today I hope you had a fantastic time with friends and family wherever your travels took you.

For everyone who was here today thanks for being available for God to work in and through you. I had a significant impression that there were SO MANY visitors today.  At least 4 "regulars" told me the same story of feeling prompted by God to take their eyes off of themselves and in so doing noticed a new face who turned out to be a first time guest.  I am constantly amazed at how God continues to entrust more people to us every week!

Give thanks for the first Century HS YoungLife club of the school year (pictured below). They had 175 students in Joe Belinko's basement! Well done good and faithful servants.

Please share your experiences in the comments section below.

August 30

For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9

Well that was something!

I knew when we planned to move the service times that it wouldn't be nothing - but nobody knew exactly how it would go. I have not received our final numbers but I know that the 9:30 service was over 600 and the largest single service we have ever had. A huge thank you to everyone who served faithfully without having all the answers ahead of time. I met so many new people just today who were attending for the first time!

Here are a few highlights for me. Please share yours in the comments below so that we can rejoice together!

- The McDaniel Bus was standing room only! Really cool seeing all the new faces.  I think of our kids who are off at school and I pray that they all find a church to plug into.

- I met several Moms who identified with the stress of back to school and appreciated the words of truth and hope.  Lets pray for parents and kids and TEACHERS going back to school tomorrow.

- Here's a picture of our Hampstead Launch Team Ice Cream Social.  About 100 people came out and signed up to serve. The countdown is on for our public launch at North Carroll High School on October 11. Pray for this team and our opportunity to serve this community.

August 23

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18

What a big weekend... Thank you to EVERYONE who played a part on making it happen. Please share your experiences from the Ho Down and Group Link with everyone below!

Here's part of a letter I received a few weeks ago.  It is from someone who is currently incarcerated but whose family began coming and continues to attend.  Here's part of what he wrote...
     "The church sent Marc Cummins. He became such a friend. We prayed every morning and evening. Marc became a life saver!  When I was at the bottom of my life, there was a voice that said 'you are in the right place' (that voice was Bill Barton). Thank you so much for opening your doors to me and my family."

August 16

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus -Phil 2:5

Summer schedule has thrown me off but it doesn't mean that God has not been at work in and through our Crossroads community! Here are just a few of the ways I've seen God at work over the last week.

Here's a picture of our middle school students leaving for Wyldlife camp.  If you missed the announcement yesterday we collected $5700 in 2 weeks in our extra offering and the cost for kids and transportation was just over $5500.  How cool is that??

Saturday night we had a small group of Crossroads folks helping to take down the tents at the Hampstead Carnival to support the local fire dept.  We had a good time and received a lot of remarks about how much help we had been.  We keep serving and God will keep opening doors for the Gospel!

Please share your stories!!

August 2

A new command I give you: Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

It was a fun day at Crossroads with lots of new faces at our services and lots of familiar faces at our leadership launch.  Thank you to everyone who made both happen.  I'm glad we get to do this together!

The one story I would share from this morning is the Century lacrosse coach Nick who was at church for the first time with about a dozen guys from the lacrosse team.  Nick was an adult guest at Saranac with us and gave his life to Christ a week ago!

Please share where you sensed God at work in the comments below!

July 26

Be Joyful Always...

Great job by Joe today!  I loved the simplicity of Joy from giving your life away.  What a great reminder of what we're called to do and be as a church. Remember to pray for Joe and Britton as they fly to join our second Nicaragua team Monday morning.

Elizabeth and I (along with Wayne and Pepper) were able to witness first hand the way the Holy Spirit was moving so powerfully in the lives of all the kids from Century High School at Saranac. We saw 41 kids from Carroll County (100+ overall) stand up on Saturday morning and profess their new faith in Jesus Christ. Perhaps the most moving moment for me was when Nick - a 20 something coach from Century - stood up and professed his new faith right along with all the kids!  So cool to be a part of what God is doing!

Please share where you have seen God at work in and around Crossroads...

July 19

I am going to rely completely on input from everyone who was a part of ministry this weekend to share your experiences with us in the comments below. Elizabeth and I are at Saranac for the week.

July 12

Then Jesus said to them,"The son of man is Lord of the Sabbath." Luke 6:5

Bluegrass and Sabbath just seemed to go together! What a cool morning to see God at work in so many new faces. I think for me that was the blessing of this morning. From the 2 new faces in the bluegrass group with Kenny to the 4 or 5 first time visitors I spoke with God continues to bring new people in our doors. With so many of our regulars not here this morning it was so cool to see the sanctuary packed at 10am. 
Thanks to all of you we get to witness our God doing immeasurably more than we could ask or even imagine! Please share you experiences in the comments below. (Someone please share the story of the playground equipment going to Appalachia)

July 5

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Happy 4th of July Everyone!  

For everyone who was traveling or not able to attend this morning- we missed you!  Its just not the same when our team is not together.  I hope many of you had the chance to watch online (Richard told me we had 20 different viewers online today!)

For everyone who was in attendance this morning what a great morning filled with God's presence.  I loved the worship set with the small acoustic team.  And I thought Jono was just great doing the call to worship.  Everything that team did pointed people to Jesus!

For everyone on our team I want to celebrate with you that one young woman, Carly, gave her life to Christ today right after the 8:30 service! Praise God!! I got to pray with her after she and her boyfriend came up.  She said today is my day!

I'm so thankful for all the ways you are a part of what God is doing.  Please share your stories of where you have seen God at work.

Amen Crossroads!