I’m amazed at what God has been doing the last 30 years in and through a group of people known as Crossroads Church. From a tiny core group praying for direction to a multi-campus, disciple-making network of churches living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. I find myself amazed by where we’ve come from and filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. I can’t count the number of times that I have heard Ken Adams say, “Those who drink the water must remember those who dug the well.” I just love this quote. It is so true. If we are not careful we can become comfortable where we are and take for granted all that has been built on hard work, sacrifice, faithfulness, and utter dependence on God. Our God is truly an awesome God!
I am thankful for that core group that met in schools. Every week was a labor of love…love for a community that needed to Experience God and Connect with Christ and His Church. Every week was a sacrificial offering….sacrifice of time (setting up and tearing down takes time), energy (setting up and tearing down is not easy), resources (cribs, furnishings and equipment aren’t cheap). Every week was a challenge…a challenge met with faithfulness, dedication and determination. Meeting in schools wasn’t easy, but, the payoff, the fruit was exponential. It is from this group that we have grown into the church we are today. Almost 4000 people have been baptized. We have given almost $4 million to missions, and 13 new churches have been started. Each of those congregations have drank from that well. Isn’t that amazing!?!
As we look to our future we must pause with gratitude for those who “dug the wells” over the years at Crossroads. We must also pause to ask ourselves a question - “Where is God leading me to dig a well?” With each new campus, church plant, ministry initiative there is a well to be dug. It will take sacrifice, resources and surely be a labor of love. As we looked back during the Anniversary service, my mind was taken to a school a few miles down the road where we are digging a well to reach the community of Senoia. I could see families, gathering to worship, kids and parents being baptized, students leading out in their schools, young adults surrendering to full-time ministry. The same God that led Palmetto Baptist Church to reach the people of Coweta County 30 years ago is leading us to reach the people of Senoia.
Can you imagine what would happen if we began to dig with the same sacrifice, faithfulness, determination and dependence on God that the core group had 30 years ago? I believe we would see two things happen:
God will do far more than we could ask or imagine!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
We will see revival sweep our community and beyond!
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
Let’s put on our work clothes and get digging. It’s time to help someone else encounter the living water of Christ.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14