Earlier this year, we began sharing in our Sunday program, evidences of God’s grace and work in the life of Crosspoint and our community.  Below, are the evidences (October – December) collected into one post.  May these lead us to an attitude of thankfulness to and worship of our God who is at work, not only through us, but in us.  January-March; April-June; July-September.

 

12/31

We’ve been called to live alongside one another in the family of God.  We’ve been designed by the Lord, not for isolation, but for community with each other.  We rejoice at a recent testimony that was shared by a Crosspoint household:  Since we arrived in Eureka we have hoped to find Christian friends to surround ourselves with.  We have felt at home in our current community group and hope to continue our friendship with our fellow community group members.  The comfort level with our current group just got to a place where we can trust.   Praise the Lord that He is drawing people toward one another in community.

12/24

We are grateful and rejoice at how Crosspointers are living on mission this month!  We’ve heard stories of Crosspointers: blessing their neighbors with unexpected meals to show God’s love; giving a gift and showing love to a mother whose son is in foster care; joining the work of Peoria Rescue Ministries through giving items such as socks, cereal, shirts, and gloves; and giving gifts to Heartline/Heart House’s Tree of Hearts campaign.  May the Lord get the glory and be at work through these acts of love, and may we be spurred on to continue in a pattern of love and good deeds.

12/17

This past Sunday, we got to celebrate with Kate Wilson who went public with her faith and got baptized!  What a joy and encouragement it is to see fellow believers taking steps of faith in and obedience to the Lord.  May we continue to be a church that is living our Jesus’ Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20:  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

12/10

People in the Crosspoint body are growing in their hunger for God’s Word, feeding on it daily, and responding to it in obedience.  The Spirit is at work conforming us into the image of Christ!  Faith is growing, trust is building, hope is increasing, love is multiplying, the body is maturing together!  Jesus prayed in John 17:17, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  We rejoice at the Lord is answering our prayer to be a people ‘anchored to the Word.’

12/3

This past Sunday, we got to celebrate with two Crosspointers who went public with their faith and got baptized.  Lizzy Freidinger and Maggie Massa shared their testimony of faith in Christ, and took their next step of obedience.  We rejoice at the work the Lord has done, is doing, and will do in Lizzy and Maggie’s lives.  He is faithful to finish what He has begun in them, and we celebrate that in Christ, they are a new creation!

11/26

This past Sunday, our Operation Christmas Child mission project finished up.  The kids of SonChasers packed up 273 boxes.  This year, we also served as a collection center for OCC.  An additional 312 boxes were packed up by Crosspointers and the community around us.  On November 20th, we shipped out a total of 585 boxes!  Crosspointers also gave nearly $2000 to go toward the shipping costs of the boxes packed up by SonChasers.  Thank you all who gave items to fill boxes, packed boxes, gave financially, and served during collection week.  A big thank you to Pam and Landy Tangbakken for their leadership!

11/19

Recently a household of a Crosspoint Hype student shared this:  Last night we were hearing some conversation and questions from friends of our son that participated in Dodgeball!  1) they were very excited and wanted to know more about Hype! 2) they had met you [Jon] and thought you were the type of person that they just wanted to hear more…they could sense something special about you (aka Holy Spirit working through you!)  3) they are very interested in sending their kids to Hype!  We rejoice at how the Lord is at work in and through our student ministry!

11/12

Recently a Crosspointer shared how they had been tempted to go back to a previous sin and pattern of an old way of life.  And when faced with that temptation, they rejected it as a lie, and chose instead, to live out of their new identity as a Christ follower (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We rejoice at how they, and others are walking by faith and finding freedom in Christ and His Gospel.  2 Timothy 2:22:  Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

11/5

A Crosspoint household recently shared this testimony:  Crosspoint has been a place of healing, of finding acceptance, friendships and trusting again. We have so much appreciated being able to jump in and serve.  We are so thankful to God for how He is changing lives in and through His local church.  May testimonies such as these lead us to an increased worship of Him, for it is His power and grace at work.  May He get all the glory, honor, and praise!

10/29

We rejoice at how Crosspointers are taking steps of faith.  Landon and Aubrey Hughes, Josie Johnson and Faye Duffy, recently going public with their faith and getting baptized!  We love to see childlike faith in action.  We’ve also seen people join community groups this fall, choosing to live interdependently upon one another.  We’ve also seen Crosspointers jump into serving roles in SonChasers, Hype, worship team, First Impressions, and elsewhere.  What an evidence of His grace, when we see people serving wholeheartedly and using their gifts, abilities and time for His purposes and Kingdom.

10/22

We’re grateful for how the Lord is changing lives.  Be encouraged by this testimony:  When we first visited Crosspoint, the band began to play and worship…the songs and lyrics brought back so much emotion and love…I yearn for that time every week. I find myself wanting to listen to more Godly music. Our household vibe has changed. Taking turns praying before meals and discussing with the kids about what they learned at VBS and in Sunday school. I want so badly for my children to know God’s word…I feel like I am starting and wanting to know the stories of the Bible with them.

10/15

We love to hear stories like these:  a high school Hype student recently came home after a Wednesday evening, and shared with their parents about what the Lord had encouraged them in while at Hype.  That evening, as the students met in small groups, this student shared about how they had been resisting the Lord in a particular area of life, and the step of obedience the Lord was calling them to.  We love to see how students are learning to walk by faith.  Parents, keep sharing these type of stories with Pastor Jon!

10/8

This past Sunday, we gathered for our service and tailgate lunch at Eureka Lake.  Such a gathering and event doesn’t happen without faithful, loving and willing volunteers who serve behind the scenes.  We are so thankful for those who helped set the stage (literally and figuratively) for our service.  We are thankful for those who served at the lunch so that others could enjoy fellowship over a meal.  And we are thankful for those who helped tear down and clean up afterwards.  What a blessing to serve alongside one another!

10/1

We rejoice at how Middle School and High School students are engaging in ministry around Crosspoint. We have students who set up and tear down on a Sunday morning.  Students who care for toddlers, and teach children in SonChasers.  Students who are engaged in disciplemaking among their younger peers.  Students who serve in a variety of ways around Hype.  Students who serve in Common Grounds and First Impressions and other Sunday morning ministries.  We believe the next generation is the church of today, not just tomorrow, and we rejoice at how the Lord is work in and through students!