Looking ahead to 2011
WORSHIP
The view from the platform this past Sunday Morning brought tears to our eyes. The deacons have had to put up extra chairs each Sunday in January. They keep setting up for more and still needing more than that. God is bringing many new faces into our congregation.
This week I could see Noel and Amy and their three children. Noel was raised in a Catholic home in the Philippines. Amy was raised in a Charismatic home in the US, even attending a Christian College. She was always told that she wasn't spiritual enough because she wasn't experiencing the "gifts". She says that through Bible study she recently came to understand that God was giving her discernment and protecting her from Satanic influence in the church. After studying the doctrinal statements of many churches in Tracy, God lead them to Crossroads. Praise the Lord for this young couple who are hungry for discipleship and burdened for their family and friends.
Next to her is Chiry, a believer who just moved to Tracy after going through a nasty divorce after 23 years of marriage. She is struggling to raise an adopted teenager who is out of control and a very hyper 8 year old. She has many needs and is being loved by Crossroads families.
Behind her sits Alaina. Alaina's 29 year old husband died unexpectedly on New Year's Eve. Because the family did not have a pastor, the funeral home "randomly" called on Tim to do the service. Their four year old daughter is in the pre-school class of a lady who attends Crossroads (Eileen, whose salvation we have asked you to pray for). Alaina is now left to raise two small children on her own. And Eileen, who is not yet saved, but is really studying the Bible, brought Alaina to church with her family. Pray for the salvation of Eileen and her husband Mark, and also Alaina.
Hiding in the back is Aaron. His dad used to pastor a Baptist church in Tracy. He is 22 years old, has been divorced and spent time in prison. Homeless, he is staying on weekends with Crossroads member, Daniel, and his family, trying to get his life back on track.
There's a pretty good sized group of teens on the side and we could tell a story on each of them. Sierra was saved at camp this summer. We are continuing to pray for the salvation of her parents Margaret and Craig. Because we have 14 teens going to snow camp, we needed people with four wheel drive vehicles to transport the kids. Margaret offered to drive and is going to stay at camp for the weekend. Pray that God will work in her heart. Please also pray for the unsaved, public school friends of our kids that our going to camp with them. The speaker will be sharing about "Our Indescribable God" refuting evolution. Powerful! It has been encouraging to watch our teens, who (like the rest of us) sometimes struggle with boldness, use Face Book to tell their friends about what God is doing.
These are the things that make us cry! I could go on for hours, sharing about the lives that God is working in, as you pray, but the letter would be too long! ;) So, pick a name to pray for and know that they represent many others. Crossroads members have made "7 in 11" lists and are praying for salvation of seven friends or family in 2011. Will you join us?
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