Crossroads Celebration Church

The Plan of Salvation hit home this year for me. At our Annual Conference our superintendent hit it pretty hard and celebrated the churches that had commitments made in their churches this past year. We were one of the few churches that didn’t have a commitment made. I could go into a long litany of reasons and other defenses about that, but I won’t.

Today I head off to church camp. One that I have directed for 19 years now. We have an altar call and probably have had commitments made every year. This year is different. This past school year we had a camper that died. We will have a memorial service for her on Monday night of camp and will plant a tree in her memory. Her pastor said it was a blessing doing her memorial at the church, because at camp last year she gave her life to Christ.

So this week please pray for us. I will really be hitting home the Plan of Salvation. It is a crucial time to approach this with young minds open to God’s Word. But it is something I want to bring home to our church as well. Sometimes we grow our churches by rearranging the chairs. Christians moving around from church to church, because of the flavor of the month. [Probably really has to do with the best coffee served at what church]. But what we really need to do to grow a church – to help expand the Kingdom, is reach the lost. Those who are not already Christians and show them the love and introduce to them the Plan.

I have not always been the best evangelist, but please pray for me to simply reach out in love to the lost and alone and hurting and show them Christ.

That’s why we are called Crossroads, because it’s usually when we are at a crossroads in our life that we are searching and in need of directions to find the right path for our souls. I know for me personally it was the most crucial decision making times in life that God blessed me with His Plan for me. How about you?

Do you know God’s Plan of Salvation for YOU?

I know some of you have heard this in a recent sermon, but it’s on my heart and bears repeating.

Compromise. Sounds so good doesn’t it! A compromise to bring peace. But at what cost? What is compromised in the process?

Think about it. If someone were to lay down new carpet in your living room and compromised 6 inches of carpet, would you be mad? Which end of the room do you choose to have compromised? Would you want your kids teachers to compromise your child’s education. Let’s just skip math this year.

Of course my biggest pet peeve is Christians wanting to compromise the Bible. Oh, let’s skip the virgin birth. We don’t really need Jesus raised from the dead. He was a good guy anyway. How about the truth when it comes to marriage and who marriage is designed for by God. Unfortunately these are things I have seen up close and personal in Christians compromising the Bible.

Here’s what I asked the congregation a few weeks ago. Would you want God to compromise your place in God’s plan of salvation for you? Like a divorce settlement for the kids. Hey devil you get Mark most of eternity, but I will take him for two weeks every summer.

Thank God, literally, that God is a God of promises and not compromises. I appreciate that my salvation will not be compromised. And I vow to not compromise on God’s Word. It is the Truth – no compromises!

If you are in the area and would love to hear similar messages on God’s Word, join at Crossroads Church in Ankeny, Iowa. We would love to share God’s Word and love with you and you with us.

19 years of directing a wonderful christian camp. That’s what it has been this summer and I am as excited as ever about being there. How about you?

We are at Hidden Acres – 10 miles north of Ogden, Iowa. This is our second year there. The people are friendly. The activities are phenomenal and the food is outstanding. Plus we are less than half the cost we were at another location two years ago.

But each year there is something new and exciting. This year our theme is GCI or God-Created Identity. Who we are in God’s plan and scope. We will answer some creation vs evolution type of questions and totally use the Bible for our answers of course. I just finished our theme idea in a large painting and it has a hidden surprise [have to find out about it by being at camp]. Our worship is totally being selected by our head band guy, Matt and he has selected some really cool songs to sing. T-shirts are about ready to go to print and will have this years theme on it as well. With a another special message for Thursday night at camp. We of course are focusing on Jesus and the message he brings us through his life about being God’s children and the unique design we are through creation. Jesus further helps us identify ourselves as heirs of God’s Kingdom through his blood. This is the greatest opportunity to witness the love of God through Jesus and set that into the hearts of our young people.

We had a camper die this last year. We will be planting a tree in her memory and having a service to celebrate her eternal life. She gave her life to Jesus last summer at camp!

Camp cost is $175. The dates are July 26-31, 2009. If you have questions or would like to register contact me at sacredmessage@gmail.com. We would love to see our camp grow in faith and in numbers.