CrossPoint Community News 07/15/2022

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

       For the remainder of the weekly updates and announcements in July, I’ll be highlighting what the different ministries in CrossPoint Community are doing. That way, you know what is going on in the ministry, and you can have conversations with those involved. This week, I’m letting you know about Empower and the Young Adults.

       In the Empower Fellowship (English Speaking College Student Fellowship), we are studying the idea of calling on Friday Nights. God is the one who calls us; Jesus called his disciples; We can listen for the call of God even today. Our first calling, our primary calling, is not to a what or how or where, but to a who. We are first called to a person. Jesus makes this clear in John 15. Before we can be productive or fruitful, we have to be connected to, remain in, abide in Christ. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. In one book on calling that I am reading this summer, they quote Oswald Chambers when he writes: “The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for him.” (My Utmost for His Highest, p. 18) We can get so caught up in doing things for Jesus, or seeking to find out what God wants to do with our lives, that we forget our first calling. We can be devoted for Jesus only to the degree that we are devoted to Jesus.
       The Empower Fellowship is also planning and implementing a variety of social activities. For example, last Saturday, a number gathered for a meal, for ice cream and for games. This Sunday, a number of the students will be engaged in a cooking competition for fun and fellowship. And, as always, some Empower students come to Game Night on Sunday Nights.
       For the remainder of the summer, the Empower Fellowship is joining the Young Adult fellowship for Sunday School – where they will be discussing a grab-bag of topics – facilitated by both college students and young adults. They also are joining together for prayer meetings – which are happening in-person, bi-weekly throughout the summer.
       The Young Adults (College graduates, working) are primarily meeting for prayer meeting, for Sunday School and serving elsewhere. For example, one young adult is helping to facilitate VBS decoration creation this coming Sunday, July 17. (You’re welcome to come, but you’ll need to bring your own lunch, since the deadline passed for lunch preparation). Another young adult is helping with Toastmasters and Alpha. Other young adults are working on follow-up from the block party. And still other young adults are working to plan/lead the remaining Sunday school classes for the summer.
      Please pray for the Empower fellowship to grow in Christlikeness and build community. Pray for the Young Adults to continue to serve and grow, and have the support they need to do so.
       Also, please continue to pray for Ukraine. May God have mercy on the nation of Ukraine. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.