On March 31st we celebrated our church’s 30th birthday! It was an exciting day and one that I will never forget.

From the birth of this place called Crossroads church in 1989 to 2019, all that has happened has been centered around relationships! In fact, an essential part of the mission statement of our church, “To Be and Build Disciples,” is based on the words of Jesus defining what really matters in life when He says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39-NIV)

Breaking this down to simplest terms: Love God, Love People. This is the definition of LIFE. Once we discover God’s redeeming love and receive it, we live everyday loving God and others with this same sort of love through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives and loves through us! This is the reason we LIVE!

 Yes. The 30th birthday of our church was great. But it was just a day and a day doesn’t define a life.

 The life of our church has had lots of good days, many great days, and a few not so good days. But life is truly defined by the sum total of many days strung together and, more importantly, the people who have lived them. Thousands have come and gone during these last 30 years. Each has had a name, a purpose, and an old identity. And most have found a new name, a new purpose, and a new identity. As the Holy Spirit has moved in this place, thousands have found transformation! To God be the glory for all of the lives that have been changed during these 30 years!

So, what does life look like for Crossroads for the next 30 years? No new purpose is necessary. We will just keep our focus on the only thing that matters: God and people!