WEEKEND UPDATE July 12th, 2009

Hey guys, what a huge day at Crossroads yesterday.  Many firsts for our church and much to talk about.  Here's a few quick takes from the day:

1. Over a DOZEN people redidicated their lives to Christ in response to yesterday's service. No bigger take-away than that!
2. Record attendance day.  We had 218 in service yesterday.  They (whoever "they" are) say that 80% of churches that fail to reach 200 in attendance in the first 18 months...never do. We launched 11 months ago and God just threw us over another growth hurdle.  Yea, God!
   
3. We have seen a HUGE mid-summer bump from Freedom Fest.  So grateful for all the families and singles we got to meet that day!
4. Seeing people really hook up with the vision of Crossroads and inviting BIG is so encouraging!
5. Worship was smashing yesterday.  In the last few weeks the musical worship experience at Crossroads has grown by leaps and bounds.  It's cool seeing our worship leaders and band really connecting with the crowd, leading us all in awesome God moments.  Great job guys!
6. I say this often, but our children's ministry at Crossroads is off the chain!  We are so fortunate to have such dedicated staff and volunteers in that area.  Your kids are having the time of their lives in the Filling Station and Big Wheels Pre-School!
7. Well, I waited a bit to get to this one, it was personally so special to have Leslie join me on the platform yesterday for the first time, to share about Love and Respect in the context of marriage. She is the love of my life, and I thought she did a great job sharing what God put on her heart.  Heard TONS of positive comments on the service from young couples.  We love you guys, and believe in what God is doing in your marriage's!
8. Awesome get-together last night at the Annex celebrating the engagement of Chris and Allie!
9. Now to the hard part...   We had the privilege of praying yesterday for Chris Vincent and Allie Jette on the occasion of their last Sunday at Crossroads.  Whew, this is tough, folks.  Serving these guys has been an honor, and we have been doubly honored by getting to see the miracle of LOVE that God has performed in their lives over the past five months.  As hard as it is to let them go, we rejoice in their future together, knowing the God is at the center of their relationship, and that they will do GREAT things for the Kingdom of God in the Northeast part of the country.  New Hampshire, you need to get ready, because we are sending you the love of God in an absolutely ELECTRIC human package in Chris and Allie!  They are history-makers and life-changers.  They have touched the lives of EVERYONE they have met at Crossroads and we are all better off for knowing them!  Not saying, "goodbye"...just saying instead, "see you soon".

God, I thank you for what you are doing in our lives, in our community, and in the church that you are building at Crossroads.  May we learn to love others the way you love us.  May we share Christ at every opportunity.  May those opportunities be ever-expanding and may the life change we experience and see in others be ever-increasing.

Have a GREAT week!