On a weekly basis in our Sunday program, we share evidences of God’s grace and work in the life of Crosspoint and our community. Below, are the evidences (October-December 2020) 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.
12/27
As we near the end of this calendar year, we received this encouraging note from a Crosspointer, “God has been good to our family this year despite the uncertainty and unknown.” They are not alone in thinking this way. Despite the difficulty and hardship that this year has brought into our lives, the Lord remains faithful to His people. We often see evidence of His faithfulness most in hindsight. As the people of God, let us continue to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
12/20
In the month of December, we give thanks for the Crosspointers who are quietly seeking to bless and love those around them, often in anonymous ways. The giving of money, food, and gifts to fellow brothers and sisters in the family and neighbors, is a beautiful picture of seeking to love one another, as Jesus has first loved us. One of these households who is giving recently shared this, “God has blessed our family in so many ways and continues to do so. We are so thankful for that and believe we should give back.” Praise God for worshippers who give and live for Him!
12/13
Flexibility and Faithfulness! Two words that describe our volunteers, including in the area of SonChasers (our children’s ministry). We are so thankful for the Crosspointers who have stepped into new roles such as teaching, care giving, substitutes, registration, set-up, and cleaning/organizing of toys behind the scenes. We are so thankful for the Crosspointers who continue to walk by faith in existing roles that they’ve had for many years, and for Cheri Boles faith-filled leadership in this area. This incredible team has had to flex to a variety of things this year, and such willingness is an evidence of God’s grace! We thank God for you!
12/6
We recently received this encouraging note from a Crosspoint student, “I had emailed you when quarantine first started about my anxiety and depression. I was able to successfully overcome both of these issues with the help of Jesus Christ. I feel like a completely new person. When I do have those bad days, just like everyone else, I get out my bible and read it. It is the only thing that truly helps me.” Praise the Lord for His living and active Word and is a lamp unto our daily, faith-walking feet.
11/29
We recently received this encouraging note from a Crosspointer, “I am setting aside 30 minutes every night for devotions and prayer and journaling. I have made my room my quiet place where I do that. I feel like it’s really helping me. I am learning about my health condition and how to live with it and accept it. I feel like God is using this to teach me to trust in Him.” As the people of God, we are to abide in the Lord, and we do so through such practices as time in the Word, solitude, prayer, and journaling. Thank you Lord for the fruit that you bear in our lives as we remain in you!
11/22
After a recent Sunday morning service, a Crosspointer came up to an elder and shared how she needed to go have a conversation with another sister in Christ (not connected to Crosspoint) who she had strife with. She was going to leave the service and go straight to her to seek to reconcile a relationship that was strained. She was going to confess how she had contributed to the strain, and seek to be a peacemaker. The elder prayed with her, and later that day she texted him sharing how well the conversation went. James 1:22 says, But be doers of the word and not hearers only. Praise the Lord for how she (and others) are living this out!
11/15
We rejoice at how Middle School and High School students are engaging in our ministry to children through SonChasers (birth-5th grade). We have Hype students who care for toddlers, help set up and tear down, and help teach children in SonChasers. They are ready to serve, whenever and wherever and we’re thankful! 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!
11/8
On Sunday, October 25, we prayed for Crosspointers Jon and Sarah Watts and their boys, as the Lord is calling them to join a 3 year church planting residency in Charlottesville, Virginia. Last Sunday (11/1) was their last Sunday at Crosspoint. We rejoice and are encouraged at how brothers and sisters in the family are listening to the Spirit and walking by faith, and not by sight. Be in prayer for the Watts family as they settle into a new home and church family, continue to raise financial support, and walk out the good works the Lord has prepared in advance for them to do.
11/1
Earlier this year in September, we were able to give Pastor Erik, his wife, Bree and the Johnson family, a special gift of $5000. Pastor Erik was on staff at Crosspoint for many years, prior to being sent out in October 2019 to start a new church (Redeemer Community Church) in Minonk, IL. This financial gift went toward the purchase of a much needed, new-to-them, used truck for their family. We rejoice at how the Lord has been generous with us, so that we might be generous toward the kingdom.
10/25
Community with one another in the family of God is central to life in the church. We are thankful to see community groups start back up this fall, and people engaging in them! We recently received this encouraging testimony from one of our leaders, “Really enjoying the study we are doing. Group is going great. We always have great discussion. We have also seen so many praises/answered prayer already. Our God is Awesome!!!” Thank you Lord that you’ve not only called us to yourself, but to one another in the family!
10/18
Roughly a year ago (on October 20, 2019), Redeemer Community Church in Minonk launched. Crosspoint, partnered up with Community Bible Fellowship in El Paso and Christ Community Church in Gridley, to plant this new work. We rejoice with Redeemer that in late September, they were able to purchase a storefront in the downtown area of Minonk that will serve as their new home base for ministry, including their Sunday gathering. Thanks to the generosity of God’s people who gave toward this vision, they were able to purchase this storefront in cash! Thank you Lord!
10/11
As a church, since September 1 we’ve been reading through the New Testament over 120 days. We recently received this testimony from a Crosspointers, “I want to give thanks for the encouragement to read through the New Testament. I find myself loving it. And at night getting into bed sometimes I think – morning will be here soon and it will be time to read again! Yay!” Thank you Lord for how you’re using your Word that is true, to sanctify and grow us (John 17:17).
10/4
Today, we are thankful for Christ followers who pursue a flexible spirit. As our Crosspoint culture statement says, “As God’s people we are called to walk and live by faith. So we’re ok with change, trying something new, and trusting in the God who knows and sees all.” Well in 2020, we have definitely had to pursue a flexible spirit, and that has been good for our sanctification. Thank you to the countless volunteers who have had to adapt in a variety of ways. Your faithfulness, availability and teachable spirits are an evidence of the Spirit and a glory to our God.
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