Over the River

Over the last couple of weeks, our Middle School and High School students have led the way in serving and volunteering during their mission trips to Minneapolis and Osceola!  Such a fantastic way to live out the Bible’s instructions to care for those who live in fear of violence and poverty. Our youth learned about the importance of food (by helping on the farm and providing produce for the Mobile Market) and the importance of relationships, fun, and education (by spending time at Urban Ventures).

Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone or our neighborhood to experience something new or something different. It’s where we can see God moving in new ways, learn how we can be used by Him and the mission he has for us. Each time I volunteer and get outside of my neighborhood (suburban Minnesota living) I’m grateful. Grateful for my home. Grateful for my family. Grateful for the opportunity to meet people who challenge my prejudices and ways of thinking.   Grateful that God’s grace is abundant and every day His mercies are new.

There are many opportunities for you to get out of your neighborhood this summer and fall!

There’s the family mission trip to the farm that starts on Friday. Pray for these families and their time serving!

Crave is going to the farm on Saturday, July 26^th.  You can join HERE.

Serve His Kids is hosting their next mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico, October 11-19^th.

Grab your Bible and your sense of adventure and join us over the river, through the woods or over the border!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18 NLT

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Freedom

I’ve always loved fireworks. The big twinkling white weeping willow ones.  They are my favorite every year.  I also love a big smoke bomb, a sparkler and a good old fire cracker.  I don’t even mind when my neighbors are shooting them starting in June! It reminds me of my grandparents and life on their farm; of family and warm summer evenings. Of wild uncles whose capacity for thrill and danger were bigger than anyone’s I’ve ever met.  Fireworks also remind me of the freedoms that I enjoy having been born in America. It’s beautiful. It’s dangerous, and it’s awe inducing.

The Fourth of July is a time of reflection and appreciation of our freedom in this country.   For me, it’s also a time where I consider what it would be like if I wasn’t born in the United States. If I was a girl, born in India, I could have been sold into a brothel and forced into prostitution.  Or a boy, born in Ghana and held in slavery and forced to work on boats.  It’s never easy to consider the “what if’s” or the “why me.” In fact, it’s so much easier to turn away from these kind of thoughts and just focus on the fireworks, food and fun.

But Jesus compels me not to. He reminds me that because he loves ALL of us, those of who can do something to change the world, should indeed, change the world.  I truly believe that there could come a day when those girls in India and those boys in Ghana get to see a firework and be reminded that they are indeed free and that Jesus loves them.

Some of the best ways to do this, from our homes in Minnesota is to partner with others who are close to this type of work/mission.  I choose to pray for and financially support International Justice Mission and their work across the world.  IJM is also one of Crossroads Missions Partners. On a local level, one of my friends volunteers with Breaking Free which works with victims and survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution. You can also purchase items or host a party through organizations like Global Avenue Ministries helps support women at risk by providing sustainable income for them.  There are so many ways to get involved!

If you’re looking for a place to start or want to learn more, I’d encourage you to pick up the book“The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence” by Gary Haugen or watch the movie Nefarious: Merchant of Souls.  (These are both recommendations for adults.)

My prayer this weekend is that we all celebrate and enjoy our freedom.  And that those who are not free encounter Jesus and rescue soon.

Let’s go change the world!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.  Romans 12:9-13

Being the Body

I’m so thankful for amazing weekends. Those kind of weekends that when you get to the end of it, you have nothing but smiles and gratefulness.

This past weekend was one of those amazing weekends. Last weekend, Jeremiah (my husband of 10 years) and I had a date day, no kids, no home projects, just the two of us spending time together. Part of our day was spent serving together.   For us, it’s one of the things that we love to do.   When Pastor Phil talks about everyone being a different part of the body, Jeremiah and I really identify.  We are so different!   But, the way that we work together, we get amazing things done!

I’m a type A, analytical sort.  I like to take a problem and solve it.  I administrate.

Jeremiah is a work horse.   He likes to do.   He helps.   He wants to chop down a tree.

When we volunteer and serve in our sweet spots, there is something special that happens.   We see each other in a way we have taken for granted.  We reconnect with each other.  We are thankful for the opportunity to serve and help others.  The other thing that happens is we have the privilege of helping move God’s kingdom. How lucky are we that we get to do that with and organization like Urban Ventures?!?  I don’t know if there is anything else that I would rather be a part of than helping bring a little bit up there, down here!

Crossroads has had an amazing June!  We’ve served all over the Twin Cities and into Wisconsin.  From free garage sales to mission trips.  We even got to catch up with our missionaries fromReynosa that have been visiting and giving us updates on the work they are doing.  The way that everyone has jumped in and served and given of their time is incredible.  I can see all the different parts of the body working so beautifully together and it’s exactly how God designed us to be.  I love being a part of this movement of Jesus-like people doing Jesus-like stuff!

And, while I have your attention, I’d like to ask you to join me in praying for a situation in Uganda that some of our team encountered last August on a trip with International Justice Mission. Please pray for Ramona,* a Ugandan widow and mother of six. Her late husband’s family stole the property she relies on to support her family, and one uncle made death threats against her children. Despite a solid legal case and Ramona’s bold testimony, a judge found the primary suspect not guilty late last year. IJM Uganda appealed that judgment, but the latest hearing was canceled when the suspect failed to show up. Please pray that the next hearing on July 4 will take place. Ask God to give the judge integrity and wisdom to declare the truth, and pray that Ramona and her children will no longer have to live in fear.

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

What I’m reading this month: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

What I’m watching this month: Maria Prean:  Life Get’s Better and Better

New Rhythms

It’s the first week of summer vacation in our house, which for us means…lots of boys, bickering and fun!   It’s also the time that we set some new rhythms in our house and make sure that we are making the most of the summer.  It’s the same for our staff and church.   We want to make the most of our summer and find some new rhythms. Summer is the perfect time to try something new and to plan on attending some of our summer activities!

All of our campuses are offering amazing opportunities to serve in the month of June.   Eagan is hosting it’s free garage sale, Cottage Grove is participating in the Strawberry Fest parade, and Woodbury is partnering with Urban Ventures and their Hands And Feet event.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in any of these events, no matter which campus you attend!

June, July and August also offer mission trips, camps, and all kinds of opportunities to serve others!  You can participate or volunteer.  Make sure to take a look around the new website, check out the events and activities going on this summer and decide on 1 or 2 that you are going to sign up for and attend.  We’d love to have you join us as we serve our communities and those all over the world.

One other thought, if you haven’t been Diggin’ Deep, I’d encourage you to join us.  We’re spending June reading through the book of James. It’s one of my favorite books in the Bible and I love how it’s tying in to our sermon series. James really encourages me to seek out ways to serve others and put my faith into action. Not because I want Jesus to like me more, but because I want others to come to know Jesus and how He loves each of us.   If you need a new rhythm of reading the Bible, it’s the perfect time to start!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 
What I’m reading this month: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

What I’m watching this month: Maria Prean:  Life Get’s Better and Better

Tags: Missions