Get to know who the elders are.

Joel Zehr, Ben Martin, Mike Troth (all written in 2021)

What are 1 or 2 things the Lord has been teaching you lately?

This has been a multi-year project and will probably continue the rest of my life, but God is growing me in grace. I sort of grew up with the idea that after becoming a Christian we slowly defeat sin and become more holy. Not really works based salvation, but maybe works based sanctification. While that is not totally incorrect, I had a very man-focused approach to the idea and as I made progress in it, I grew in pride. Over the last ten years, God has graciously put some significant roadblocks in my way and pointed out my continued depravity in ways that I could not ignore. 

I have been reminded as Paul says in Romans 2:4 that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. He loved, pursued, and chose me first. Nothing I did or didn’t do merited that favor. He continues to love, pursue, and choose me. Nothing I am doing or ever will do can add or subtract from that grace. As I grow in understanding and applying these truths to my own life, it is easier to extend similar patience, grace, or empathy for others. The elder role has given me many new ways to practice these things.

Besides serving as an elder, where and how do you serve within the church?

Lauren and I are on the Go Team (mission), we are alternates for Sonchasers, I led a crew at VBS this year, and we are part of a community group. Our primary involvement comes through the Go Team as it pulls on our experience serving as missionaries in Thailand. It has been a joy to be actively engaged in the Redeemer plant in Minonk and the adopting of the Kuyu people group and partnership in PNG.

What is one of your greatest joys serving as an elder?

I love being part of the big picture discussions surrounding Crosspoint. God has definitely gifted me as a connector, an idea guy, and a strategic planner. It is fun to use those gifts in an effort to create opportunities for others to grow in Christ and ultimately use their gifts to serve the body. It has been such a joy to get to know the other men on the elder team and see them humbly seeking the Lord for wisdom and discernment in the leading of His church.

What is one of your challenges that you face as an elder?

I still feel relatively new to Crosspoint. We have been here for about five years, but I still don’t know a lot of people. Being a part of a community group has allowed me to get to know those people well. Unfortunately, that is a small cross section of the congregation. The prayer requests definitely help me to piece together some names and stories, but I still have a long way to go! Please be patient with me, if you have to introduce yourself a number of times… I have a terrible memory 🙂

How can the church pray for your heart and life?

Please pray for me to be diligent in the Word and other spiritual disciplines. I have a lot going on between being a husband, father, friend, business owner, elder, and involved in many other things. Sometimes the doer in my likes to keep checking things off the list, but doesn’t do a good job really sitting with the Lord.

Five Favorites:

Movie: Not much for movies lately, but Netflix gets me sometimes… Drive to Survive, 14 Peaks, or anything true crime.

Restaurant: My wife is a foodie, so I have a lot to choose from here. Probably Epiphany Farms/Anju Above locally, and B.A.S.H. in Ottawa, if we are up for a bit of a drive.

Food: I love anything Asian, but Thai food holds a special place in my heart. I miss the days of walking to the market for fresh $1 meals.

Book: The bible of course 🙂 I have to classify… Christian book: Knowing God, Secular book: Under the Scarlet Sky.

Hobby: Travel is probably my favorite hobby, but we don’t get to do it as much as we used to. Besides that, I love pretty much anything outside. Fishing, golfing, working on our house (although I’m kinda burned out on that one right now).