what are we willing to do to see that happen?
two simple commandments
Jesus called his followers to pursue a life devoted to a new kind of kingdom, one of love and sacrifice, traveling along paths of renewal for the sake of His purposes. He offered new ways of real living and giving of ourselves to make His name famous in the entire world. When asked what the most important portion of the Bible was, Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
These two simple commandments, to love God and to love our neighbors, are our criteria for life. They play out in the following ways:
- Crossroads desires to be a safe place for those whose life journeys have become a spiritual search for meaning, significance, and acceptance. We strive to create a safe, open environment for each person to walk with God at his or her own pace.
- Crossroads desires to be a church impassioned by the example of the New Testament church in the early chapters of the book of Acts. We believe God is seeking a group of people surrendered to Him so that His Spirit can breathe life into the community and demonstrate love and grace and mercy to those in need.
- Crossroads desires to be a church that embraces fully the Great Commission. Jesus gave His followers in Matthew 28:19, “. . . go and make disciples of all nations . . .” Through personal life transformation, financial partnerships, social action, and public service, we strive to communicate the unconditional love of God through our words and our actions.
- Crossroads desires to be a church that in some way meets every day. Jesus told His followers that where “two or three [were] gathered,” He would be with them. Whether in a school, a home, or a restaurant, doing life together in multiple settings builds healthy community.
- Crossroads desires to live and reveal the Kingdom of God in every facet of our lives. We live the kingdom of God by following the ways of Jesus, by being His disciples. We reveal the kingdom of God as God uses our lives to prompt people to open up to God. It’s a natural, healthy, and fulfilling way to live.
heartbeat of God for his disciples
Jesus chose and called specific people to follow Him; He in turn commanded them to go and connect with others in the same way. Matthew, one of Jesus’ followers, recorded some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples, “Jesus came and told His disciples, I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20