Hello Crossroads Family !
I’m grateful for you ! God is doing a work in our midst ! I see it in you ; I see it in our Elder Team ; I see it on Sunday mornings. Where will it lead ? Only He knows for sure. In the meantime, thank you for your willingness to be part of it. Times of spiritual and numerical growth are fun times, but they are not without some growing pains. Let’s have times of meaningful prayer with each other ; let’s keep practicing the five principles of spiritual growth mentioned Sunday (Bible, prayer, fellowship, witness, obedience) ; and let’s ask God to keep us humble in our walk with Him. Let’s be sure to love one another well and be open to God enlarging our circle of friends and acquaintances.
This Sunday we’ll finish the sermon begun last Sunday, “Discovering My Mission,” and hopefully we’ll hear some testimonies of how a few of you came to faith in Christ. If you volunteered to give a 3-minute testimony, would you please let me know you’re still planning to do that, and would you email me your testimony today or tomorrow so I can look it over. Thank you ! If you need to back out for some reason, that’s fine too ; there’s no pressure. If you didn’t tell me last Sunday you’d like to give your 3-minute testimony but now you’ve decided you would, please let me know that too. We’ll make room for you this Sunday morning !
In this Sunday’s sermon, we’ll touch on why world missions should be part of our concern and action when it comes to sharing the good news of the Gospel. I’ve had several reminders this week of the joy of world missions. I have a hope and prayer that some from Crossroads will one day serve in full-time missions ; and that we will one day soon be involved as a church in some short-term cross-cultural missions project !
Here are some updates from our missionaries received just this week, along with some other missionary connections that remind me of God’s worldwide work :
- The McCallisters have been busy with travel, connecting with churches and individuals who support them. They are due with their new baby in May, and they plan a return to Germany in July. In the meantime, Jesse is also soon to receive his Masters degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We’re thankful for God’s blessing and preparation for a future ministry in Germany.
- Colin Welch is due to be married to Angie in May, then he will be leaving Paris for Berlin where he and Angie will begin a new stage of ministry together. Colin sent beautiful pictures in his email of both Paris and Berlin along with a beautiful summary of why God has called him to ministry in Europe through the fine arts.
- Our friend Markus Kirner who preached in my place a year (?) or so ago is raising funds to return to his home country of Germany along with his wife Grace in order to be part of a church-plant in Munich. Let’s pray for Markus and Grace.
- My good friends Stewart and Patti Humphry who serve in Church Relations with ReachGlobal (the missions arm of the Evangelical Free Church) shared, in a recent email, a story about a short-term missions trip to Hungary 40 years ago — how God worked powerfully and changed their lives through that trip.
- I was unexpectedly and suddenly put back in touch with former missionary colleagues of ours from France. This is a couple older than I am and who were mentors to Diana and me, having served first as missionaries in Congo. I was not even certain they were still living, and now we are busy catching up and remembering special ways God blessed and loved us years ago.
- A French couple from one of our churches sent me a picture this week and asked me to pray for one of their children (now an adult) struggling with some depression in his life.
To be involved in world missions is a special joy and privilege. To love and pray for people in other parts of the world is a practice we should include in our spiritual growth. “You shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the remotest parts of the earth” (Matthew 28).
Reminders
Immerse : Tonight, 7 pm, at the church.
Worship this Sunday, April 26, 10 am.
Recognition of graduates at conclusion of worship on Sunday, May 10.
Women’s prayer walk and potluck, May 10, 7 pm at the church. Contact Erin Townsend (ektownsend12@gmail.com) if you have questions.
Women’s Fellowship Breakfast, Saturday, May 16, 8 am, at 54 Cafe.
Women’s Prayer-Bible Decoration Class, also May 16, 9:30 am, at the church led by Elizabeth Scheib. More information and a sign-up sheet available this Sunday for those interested.
Elders meeting, May 17, following the worship service.
Men’s Recharge, May 21, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the church.
Praise & Prayer
- We praise God that Waylon Pace is feeling better and was in church last Sunday after his tonsillectomy and stomach issues. Thanks to all who prayed for Waylon and his family !
- We praise God that Clayson and Tacy Lyons have met with the elders for church membership. We will receive them “officially” as new members on an upcoming Sunday morning.
- Let’s be in prayer for Konner and Jaci who will be married May 2.
- Prayers for Erica and Miles Adams, due with baby # 2 in May ; and for Cecilia and Sam Vigue, due with baby # 3 in May. Also, for those in our congregation who are expecting grandchildren.
- I’ll preach the Senior Sermon at Nevada High School May 10 in the evening and would appreciate your prayers for that. Mark Tice will preach the morning sermon in my place on the 10th, as I will be out of town.
- Let’s pray for a permanent church home for our church ; for God’s wisdom in welcoming new attenders into our fellowship ; for good shepherding on the part of our Elder Team and others.
Finally
I have a little book in my library written by Robert J. Morgan called All to Jesus. In it Morgan has written devotional thoughts on passages in the Bible where the word “all” is used. One of my favorites of those passages is Deuteronomy 34:10-12, a short summary of the life of Moses :
“Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.”
That’s a powerful statement that speaks of thoroughness, commitment, faith, and a desire to finish the work ! It also reminds us that what God has begun He will finish ! Let’s partner with Him as Moses did !
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, Lord willing !
— Tom
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