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!

October 25

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

"I saw flat Reid earlier today..." This one of the comments I heard from someone in the Chipotle parking lot today. As I was at Westminster at 8am and Hampstead at 9:30 and 11:00 it was a really powerful picture of the way God is at work!

Thank you to all of those who led groups and participated at both campuses today. Please share your stories of how you saw God at work in the comments section below.

October 18

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret... 2 Cor 10:7

Such a powerful opportunity this morning to share in the process of  people turning back to God! Thank you for playing your part.  Whether you were on stage, in the warehouse, in the cafeteria or not even in either building you should know we could not do what we do each Sunday without YOU!

I had several leaders tell me about new people who were coming for the first time this morning, especially in Hampstead.  I was excited during the message to picture them sitting in the auditorium.

One conversation I had this morning after the 9:30 service was with the Mother of a single Mom who has been coming off and on for several months. She wanted her Mother to meet me and Elizabeth (probably mostly Elizabeth). The Mother shared how she had lost both of her parents and an uncle in the past 6 months.  Then she said I really needed to be here this morning and hear I can turn to God. Amen!

PLEASE share your experiences below in the comments section. And don't forget to check back during the week to read other comments.

October 11

For this Son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:24

The initial reports from our first official second campus Sunday were great! Attendance was 234 in Hampstead- about 100 more than last week.  As we continue to serve and reach out to that community God is going before us beside us and behind us. 

Two stories from this week;

Today after the 11:00 service in Westminster a woman who I do not know cane up to me and almost in passing said, "I am so lost!" to which I replied, "You're in the right place.  You can find your way back." She said thank you and went on her way.  I believe her words reflect many folks who were with us for the first time today!

My Capernaum Selfie

Tuesday I had the opportunity to serve with Elizabeth at the Capernaum Club.  The talk was focussed on Ephesians 2 and how we are God's masterpiece.  During the message Elizabeth has a picture frame that she allowed several students to put their face in while saying "I am God's Masterpiece." The scene of these twisted faces and garbles voices speaking and illustrating this truth was about as powerful an expression of the Gospel as I've ever seen!

PLEASE share your stories below!!

October 4

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

Life change happens in so many ways around our community.  From conversations at a wedding yesterday to new members classes to discipleship groups to planning a funeral - all of which happened in the last 24 hours.  Oh yeah, and then there were 4 services at 2 locations.
I know sometimes the scope of our ministry can begin to feel overwhelming.  But let me encourage you instead to focus on the privilege it is to be included by God in something so much bigger than we could ask or even imagine. Please share your experiences with everyone below!

A couple of "family business" items for your attention.

The Belt family is mourning the loss of Jays mom. Betty Jean Belt, passed away October 3rd.
Arrangements are:
Tuesday:  viewing at Eline Funeral Home, Reisterstown, 3-5 and 7-9
Wednesday: funeral at Elines in Reisterstown, 1pm

Joe and Camden Belinko are running the Baltimore Half Marathon to honor Janice and Diane Hidey (Karen Belinko's sisters) who are both battling cancer. We want to pray for them and to support them in their efforts go here https://docs.google.com/a/crossroads140.com/forms/d/18WemCvU_Tf0BPGv9wDGYWO0z_OPVB8d5MgUdrdMfC7g/viewform?c=0&w=1

Our new Website is now live! www.crossroads140.com

September 27

Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." John 5:8

One down and who knows how many more to go!  A huge thank you to EVERYONE who made the North Carroll High School service happen today.  I obviously wasn't there so I'm counting on those of you who were to share stories of how each of you saw God at work in our first dress rehearsal.

I have 2 brief stories from Westminster...

- We had a little staff get together last night at Hoffman's Ice Cream and I noticed the gal who was taking our orders (like 30 of them!) was acting like she knew us. It turns out that she just started coming to Crossroads a few weeks ago and this morning she ended up in my communion line! I felt like I should offer her sprinkles - but I refrained.

- I heard another story this morning about someone who was having a conversation where the other person shared "I think its just too late!" Well you can imagine how directly it applied to our current series.  So they invited them and they came for the first time today!

PLEASE share your stories in the comments below!

September 20

The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11

The last one campus Sunday is in the books!  Pretty exciting to think that for the foreseeable future there will be Crossroads worship services happening in more than one location every Sunday. Thank you to everyone who has prayed and sacrificed to get us to this point.

Elizabeth and I met a single mom on Saturday night (she was actually our waitress) who has attended off and on and who lives in Hampstead.  She was SO excited about the campus opening there and wants to get plugged in. Tonight at our Hampstead prayer time we thought about many more people like her will be reached because of this step of faith.

Please share your encounters below!!

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.