Crossroads Vision Update

Dear Crossroads family,

It’s been such a joy to watch God change lives, equip believers, and bless our community through the work of Crossroads Church. Our mission is a simple one: “We are a community of Jesus followers who desire to experience God and carry His living hope into our world..” To practically see this vision come to pass, we will continue to build our ministry upon five foundational pursuits:

1.) Cultivate an environment of truth – We believe the Word of God is the truth that can unite, encourage, and bring lasting freedom to all people through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. This is why the Bible is paramount to all that we teach and practice. In the Bible: Ephesians 4:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12

2.) Cultivate an environment of worship and prayer – We believe that when Jesus is lifted high and exalted among His people, powerful things begin to happen in the Spirit. Lives change, people are empowered, and Jesus is glorified. Prayer and worship are essential spiritual disciplines to develop both corporately and individually. In the Bible: Acts 4:31, Isaiah 56:7, Acts 16:25-26, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16

3.) Cultivate an environment of connectedness: The church is an interconnected body that only thrives when the lives of its members are relationally connected to God and each other. No one should be an island unto themselves within the church, but all should seek to authentically connect in life giving relationships. In the Bible: Acts 2:46-47, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, John 13:34

4.) Cultivate an environment of service: We believe Jesus loved others without contingency, and we desire to embody that same love.  We will continue to intentionally build bridges to our greater community in order to serve tangible needs in the name of Jesus, communicating the heart of God to our neighbors. In the Bible: Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12, Galatians 6:10

5.) Cultivate an environment of discipleship – We believe that investing in people who will enter the world as ambassadors of Christ is essential. We invest internally in order to equip disciples who are fully engaged externally in the world, inviting the people around them into the life and community of Christ. In the Bible: Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Corinthians 15:58

We realize that these 5 things could go on the list of a hundred more, but we sense the leading of the Spirit to especially focus on doing these five areas of ministry well. As a result, we won’t be overextending ourselves into areas that God is not calling us to. As a church, we want to be flexible and led by the Spirit, but also have a clear vision of where we are headed and the unique identity that God has given our local fellowship.

Attached to our vision are a few physical investments that we would love to see over the next several years. We believe these will help us practically move toward some of our goals. We would ask you to pray with us for God’s provision and timing as we move toward the following:

• Reducing Debt – We’d love to see God’s money go to more ministry and less interest.
• Stewarding our facilities – Our North Campus facility and parking lot especially are due for some needed maintenance and updates.
• Improving Technology – To provide the best video and online experience, we’d love to upgrade some of our outdated equipment and lighting to current technology.
• Addiction recovery – Though God has not yet provided the needed resources and leadership, we believe that a long term, biblically based addiction recovery center is in His heart for the future.

At the end of the day, all that we do is with the united desire to see people reached for Jesus, rescued from sin, and find true life in Him. We want to thank each of you for your service to the Lord and commitment to His body, the church. One of the scriptures that is a constant encouragement as we continue our work for the Lord is 1 Corinthians 15:58. Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” The sacrifice and generosity our church has shown toward the work that God is doing here has positively overwhelmed and encouraged us. Great things lie ahead, and we are thrilled that we get to go there together.

In His love,

Pastor Josh and the pastoral leadership team