In 2017, 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 (January-March) 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.  You can read past evidences here.

 

3/25

The end of February was the 6-month mark for our fiscal year (September-August).  After 8 weeks into the fiscal year last fall, our offering average was around $6200, which was $1000 below where it needed to be.  Our budget is based off a weekly offering average goal of $7277.  At the end of February, our weekly offering average was at $6934/week!  As leaders, we are very encouraged about what the Lord has done over the past several months.  He is clearly at work, and it is an evidence of His faithfulness!

3/18

Recently, Hype Student Ministries began a new series going through the spiritual disciplines.  1 Timothy 4:7 says, ‘Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”  We are encouraged by Hype parents who are engaging in conversations at home with their students around this subject matter, and taking the tools that Pastor Jon sends out (via email each week) to make disciples at home.  Be in prayer for the students, Hype leaders, and parents during this series.  May the Lord grow a spirit of self-discipline that leads to a growing Christlikeness.

3/11

We are encouraged by hearing of Crosspointers taking steps of faith and obedience on missionaries.  For example, a Crosspoint household desiring to be a witness to an unbelieving family member who is battling disease.  Another Crosspointer who is seeing a friend struggle in life, and is seeking to not only pray for them, but help them and be an ambassador for Christ.  The Lord has called us to live on mission for Him, in the spaces and places we live.

3/4

In early 2017, a new church, Flanagan Community Church, launched in Flanagan, IL.  We rejoice at the work the Lord has and will do in this new church.  We are thankful for how we are able to help serve their ministry by passing along our current children’s ministry curriculum after we have used it.  May the Gospel continue to take up new ground in the Flanagan area and may lives, including the lives of children, be changed!

2/25

Recently a Crosspointer shared this testimony, “It has been almost a year since we started attending regularly and my relationship with God has strengthened a great deal since that time.  I can see this also occurring with my daughter which fills me with joy.  I have not missed a Sunday message since starting.  If I am not able to attend in person due to traveling or illness I always follow along on-line which I am grateful that the church provides.  The greatest part of this is not that I have done this out of obligation but out of desire to continue to learn about and love Jesus.  Sunday morning has become my favorite part of my week.”

2/18

For the past 10 years, Crosspoint has partnered with Samaritan’s Purse in their Operation Christmas Child mission.  Here are some encouraging numbers from the 2017 mission:  From our local area (east of the Illinois River), 17,000 shoeboxes were sent out.  From the US, 8.8 million shoeboxes went out across the globe!  Most of Crosspoint’ shoeboxes went to Africa and the surrounding areas.  Stop and pray this week, for the children who received the shoeboxes.  May the Lord open doors for the Good News!

2/11

Recently a grandfather joined the nursery team to serve and love the youngest of Crosspointers on a Sunday morning.  We rejoice at hoe Crosspointers, of all ages and stages of life, are engaging in ministry to the next generation through SonChasers.  Talk to Becky Williamson about joining the SonChasers team.  1 Peter 4:10:  Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

2/4

On December 3, we gave out mission money to those in attendance, and charged Crosspointers to pray, add to the dollar figure, and live ‘on mission’ and outwardly as God’s people.  Here is one testimony of what a Crosspoint household did:  We wanted to let you know we received $50.00 in our envelope. We were able to bless a man who recently had hip surgery and has been off work. He needed a heater for his apartment. He was thrilled to receive this gift.  Share your story with a member of the staff.

1/28

We rejoice at the many Crosspointers who have engaged in a House to House group in January.  Here is a testimony from one of the leaders of a group.  The time was sweet and serious. These people really want to do life with each other and live out the one another’s. We experienced a time of transparency that was rare and real… I am excited to see how God is going to use this season as a catalyst to take Crosspoint to a deeper level.  May the Lord enable and empower us to live out Acts 2:42 in 2018:  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

1/21

In 2017, around the Crosspoint family, we celebrated the birth of 11 children, and we rejoiced with 21 Crosspointers who went public with their faith and got baptized.  On both accounts, we rejoice at the new life the Lord is bringing about, and the work He is doing.  Be in prayer for those children, their parents, and for those who followed the Lord in baptism.  May the Lord be at work in mighty ways in their lives in the years to come.

1/14

On December 3, we gave out mission money to those in attendance, and charged Crosspointers to pray, add to the dollar figure, and live ‘on mission’ and outwardly as God’s people.  Here is one testimony of what a Crosspoint household did:  We received $20 in our church on a mission envelope (the pay it forward challenge) and ended up buying Christmas gifts and household items for a single mom and her teenage daughter.  Share your story with a member of the staff.

1/7

On Sunday, December 31, we were able to celebrate as Crosspointer, Tim Cooper who got baptized.  We rejoice at how he has gone public with their faith in Christ, and how the Lord has been, is, and will be at work in his life in the months and years to come.  Baptism is a picture that in Christ we’ve died with Him, and been raised to a new life in Him.  Thank you Lord for lives that are changing through the power of the Gospel and your Spirit.