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!

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!!