Thank You

I just want to take a minute to thank you all for the amazing Missions Weekend we had last weekend, it was a huge success and we could not have done it without you!

Thank you for being brave! We have heard so many great stories of people getting connected, saying yes, and stepping out to do the next thing Jesus is calling them to do. It’s so encouraging to hear about the new ways people are GO-ing in to their communities to love people well!

Thank you, Crossroads, for your hospitality. We have heard so many great things from our ministry partners about how welcoming and warm our community is here.  Here is a snip-it of what’s being said:

“I was so overwhelmed by the kindness, love and compassion that I experienced…. Words could never express the hope ignited in me that God’s people are interested in serving and being an answer to prayer!!” 

“The prayers, love, and support of churches like Crossroads are what enables our resident’s transformation into self-sufficient, abuse-free, God-centered women. Thanks for being with us, in this, and making a difference! ” 

Thank you for making our visitors feel welcome, for investing in their missions, and for allowing them a place to share with your their passion for God’s people.

Thank you for your help. Missions Weekend is something we plan all year for, and pulling it off is no small task. We couldn’t do with without the help of our amazing volunteers. You show up and do whatever needs to be done. I love working with you! Thank you for all you’ve done to make this weekend a success! We love and appreciate our volunteers so much!

I’m feeling especially grateful to be a part of this movement of Jesus-like people doing Jesus like stuff.

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

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Being Brave and Saying Yes

There are a lot of words that you could use to describe me, and I’m sure if you asked my family and friends they’d give you a laundry list of descriptors, among them surely would include things like “sassy” and “funny.” I doubt, though, that “brave” would make the top 10.  I don’t think I’m what you would think of as “traditionally brave.”

I think the bravest thing I’ve ever done is say “yes” to Jesus.  Saying yes to a life that might look different that anything I would have expected. Saying yes to the messy of the world. Saying yes to deeply rooted relationships. Saying yes to be part of something so much bigger than me. It has changed in me in ways I’m still discovering.

Everyone’s brave is different, but no less important. Some yeses have led people across the world to serve people who speak a completely different language. Others, have made space in their home and heart through adoption. Still others reach out in their community, building deep relationships with the people down the block.

I’ve realized that bravery is: being open and willing to let your life be changed through God.  Saying yes to what’s God’s asking. Saying yes to love people when it’s hard, when it’s messy and when it’s inconvenient.

This weekend at Crossroads Woodbury and Cottage Grove we have over 30 Non-profits and organization who will be in the auditorium willing to help you say your next yes. Come and meet the people and places that are making positive differences in lives both locally and across the world. Come and ask questions, get inspired and be brave enough to say “YES” to something.  Don’t forget to grab a Missions Catalog as well, for even more opportunities to serve.

Crossroads is excited to have these organizations with us this weekend. We believe in the work their doing, we love how they are saying yeses in hard places and we are all invited along on their adventures.

I can’t wait to hear about all the ways you’ve said yes to being brave and how it’s changed you and the world for the better.

Excited to blaze these trails with you!

Nicole Case
Web Administrator 

Go Do Something…Now

My life is funny. Sometimes “ha -ha” funny, other times it’s tragically funny. Usually something is breaking down, or I’m losing my keys or my check chard. I’m spilling something or running into something. I should do it with jazz hands and win a Tony because dramatic is my tone of choice. By the way, I’m Nicole. I do the web here at Crossroads. It’s nice to meet you. You can add “forgets to introduce herself” to the above list as well.

Basically, I’m kind of a mess, in an endearing kind of way. The kind of way that people smile at you and genuinely hope that you don’t break a bone by walking out the door. I’m that girl. Ever the Underdog. But God bless the people who keep rooting for me.

Don’t worry though, I have lots of reasons to smile, to laugh, and to be thankful. I love my job. I love my city. I love who I surround myself with and what Jesus is doing with all of it.

I’m clumsy but I’m also a planner, which seems like an interesting juxtaposition of qualities, but it is my essence. I like to know what’s coming and how much time and money I’ll need when the future gets here.

So you can imagine how I sometimes forgot to be in the moment. I got so busy scheduling, checking my phone, filling in my planner, I sometimes miss moments. Experiencing them. Letting teach me, or show me, whatever they were supposed to right then and there.

Last night I had the great privilege of being at an Urban Ventures fundraising event. I was sitting in a room full of people who believed in change and the power of Now. I put my cell phone down, my planner away, and I was just present. I let the words, statistics, and stories of the night roll around in my brain, soaking up every second of my time with these incredible people who are literally breaking the cycle of poverty and changing the lives of thousands of people.

It was pretty incredible to be in a room of people who are taking ordinary moments and using them for great things. It was an excellent reminder that I need to “go do something” way more instead of simply making a plan to “go do something” at some point, maybe, down the road, when life is less chaotic.

Does that sound like you? Are you taking advantage of moments you have? This weekend we are launching our Missions Catalog. It is full of places like Urban Ventures who are using the here and now to love like Jesus. Pick one up at the Adult Ministries desk and see all the amazing opportunities you have to “go do something.” To get your hands dirty. To make a difference. To be Jesus-like people doing Jesus-like stuff.

Circle some things in the catalog that interest you, and then come back on Nov 8-9 and meet the faces behind the programs you’ve circled during our annual Mission Weekend. You’ll get to ask questions and meet the people who are part of the organizations listed in the catalog. Make some contacts and get inspirited! Say your first yes in the moment and go do something amazing!

We’ll see you this weekend for the beginning of the second part of our Genesis Series, Turing Point.

Nicole Case
Web Administrator