EVIDENCES OF GOD’S GRACE ON EASTER 2011
Dear Crossbridge Family,
What an incredible weekend! God’s grace is definitely evident in this season at Crossbridge.
Our Men’s Leadership Lab kicked off with a bang! We have 23 men who are reading, discussing and seeking to apply biblical theology to their lives. It was an amazing time disusing the book “DUG DOWN DEEP” by Joshua Harris. A few of the men said they could have kept on talking for another half hour when we were done! I know it’s just the start of this Lab but if this is any indicator to how the next five weeks will go, then we will definitely be doing another one this fall.
Good Friday was a sweet night of worship. Many of you have shared stories of how you were personally impacted through reflecting on the death of Jesus. A few of you used that night to invite friends far from God and God used that night to touch them in profound ways! It was a great night with a full room of people singing, reflecting and celebrating the love of God through Jesus to us.
Easter was incredible. Words cannot express what God did in our church this past Sunday. I want to say THANK YOU to all of our servants who worked so hard to make Sunday happened. I am so proud of our church. So many of you served where you were needed and I as walked around talking with people you had smiles on your faces and great attitudes whether it was rocking babies, corralling preschooler’s, teaching elementary, engaging teenagers, or creating a welcoming environment on our host team. You were the church to our city Sunday and to each other. You modeled the heart of Jesus. Not only could Sunday not have happened but our church on a week-to-week basis couldn’t function if it wasn’t for servants like you.
Special thanks to Blake and Kimberly Ide and Mike And Catherine Haskew for all they did in setting up and running our photo area! I have heard several stories of how God used the photos as a way to get family members to come to our Easter Celebration.
Which leads me to say thank you to everybody that spent time praying for and inviting your friends and family to our Easter Celebration! Your prayers and invitations worked! It was so cool to meet so many new people. Many of you had friends, neighbors, co-workers and family here. We had 597 people in attendance, several indicating that they were beginning a relationship with Jesus! In the second service I felt led by the Spirit to ask those who were beginning a relationship with Jesus to look up at me and many did. We are now following up with those who filled out connect cards! Read that again – God is at work at Crossbridge!
Last year we had 379 people at our Easter service. We now average almost 400 people each Sunday. Our Easter service this year indicates a little over 57% growth from last year! Praise God for your faithfulness in seeking to advance the gospel. It’s amazing to be a part of a church that desires to share Jesus with others and see lives transformed by the power of His gospel!
I also want to give a huge shout out to Ben Hester, the worship, the technical teams. They prepared for and led two amazing gatherings this weekend. Thank you guys for all the rehearsals, technical work and even stage set-up you guys did to make these gatherings memorable and meaningful. When we felt led by the Spirit to add the song “How He Loves” at the last minute you guys went for it and I’m so glad you did!
I could go on and on! I thank God for a church community like you that is seeking to be gospel-centered and life-giving to our city. You are truly a blessing. I have said it before, ” I am your pastor but you are my privilege!”
Glory to God for the great things He has done!
Chuck
