Kyle Mitchell

Crossroads: remixed

Since we were back in MI on a Sunday, you know we had to be back at Crossroads, again.  The kids were excited to wake up and get to go to see their friends and teachers at Kid Fusion and Kid Crossing.  We had  such a great time catching up with friends and seeing the ministries of Crossroads in action.  There are so many awesome people in this church!!

There were some God moments that I just have to share.  Right after we walked in Char and Pat Larson came in and welcomed us with huge hugs.  We just thought we were coming to a normal day at Crossroads (ya...like its ever "normal" at C3), then we discovered why God wanted us there today.  Char has beaten breast cancer and Lisa was a huge prayer warrior for her during the fight.  Now, they are facing another round of a different type of cancer, and God knew Char would be encouraged by Lisa's prayers, so we rallied off to the side and did what we love to do.  We prayed over Char and Pat.  I know God has great things planned for their lives as they faithfully follow Him.

Then as we were leaving a young couple pulled us aside and shared their story and we were able to pray with them and offer encouragement for their walk with Christ and with each other.  We will always love the people of Crossroads and it was a privilege to be able to serve a few while we were passing through again.

Kudos Kid Crossing!

This morning at Church we had a shared family experience that was phenomenal.  I loved seeing the youth and children up on the stage leading out in the drama and worship team for our Kid Fusion.  My favorite part of the morning occurred by having Caed sit next to me and get to participate with him as he attempted to sing each song and each time there was prayer he folded his little hands and waited until the end to yell, "AMEN!". 

I'd have to say that I left the service today with excited kids and a feeling of being very impressed with our Kid Crossing Team.  I loved seeing Shari's vision become a reality.  Kudos to you all!

Other People Exist

Today this guy shared in our church (in the south we'd call it preaching) and challenged all of us to acknowledge and love the other people in our life.  He mentioned that we often don't even notice the other people around us (try getting away with that in the Mitchell house...I've got 4 that refuse to be ignored...lol).  I loved his fresh, witty, thought-provoking challenge to apply the Greatest Commandment and get our eyes off of ourselves.  I love my church!

Plus I should mention that Lisa, my beautiful and extremely talented wife, sang Ginny Owen's song "I Am Nothing" and it drove the point home with emotion and power.  Way to go C3 team on another great week of worship that changes lives.

Crossroaders respond to the Battle Cry!

When you feel God's burden to reach a generation, then have an opportunity to speak to Crossroads about that burden, then you let that generation speak for itself, powerful life change happens.  This last Sunday 92 people responded to an invitation to join God in what He's got planned for our area through Crossroads.  WOW!  The C4 team now has the opportunity to triple!  When you have a vision to take 500 people to a life-changing opportunity next April and you wonder how in the world is that possible, then God starts doing His "thing" and BAM an army appears!  It's so inspiring!

Tonight's Celebration

What a joy to celebrate the generosity of Crossroads as we brought all our financial gifts and pledges for the "Because People Matter: Possess Our Land" Campaign.  We literally had no idea what to anticipate from the people of Crossroads and there were no "experts" that could tell us what to expect from a 30 day Campaign.  We had never before challenged our people to give and with such a bold vision in front of the people we were buzzing with excitement. 

I loved the celebration as well.  Kudos to Laura and the entire creative team for putting together such a fun party for us all!  Emotions ran high as we witnessed the 19 baptisms, reflected on and partook of communion, and then celebrated the over $400,000 brought in and pledged for the next 6 months.  WOW!  Our God is amazing and doing indescribable things among us.  Way to go God! 

On a personal level, it was great to be able to share communion with my daughter for the first time at Crossroads.  Since we had all the kids in the service together (yes it was a little chaotic, but it was a party after all), it was nice to take communion as a family and have my daughter join in with us.  An extra bonus was having my Brother, sis-in-law, and 3 nephews there as well.  Since my family lives so far away, God was awesome to have them here on such an historical day in the epic story of Crossroads. 

Whirly ball clean sweep!

Today our entire staff had our meeting at the Whirly ball courts (?) in A2.  (Actually the real "meeting" was in the van coming and going.)  I've played WB a few times back in Texas and and NO idea that there was a place to play just an hour away.  I've definately got to take some groups back for the experience.  It's really a TON of fun.  Our staff is filled with some competitive folks, so there was lots of scrapping and crashing going on.  Those who know me, know I HATE to lose, so today was an AWESOME day, because our team one 5 games straight.  It would have really been a challange to be on the other team and hear "Yellow's ball" yelled out everytime a score was made.  And believe me...they heard it a LOT!

I love being at a church that loves having fun together!  We celebrated our friendships and made some great memories together.

Land Ahead!!!

If you missed the announcement Sunday, you missed an emotional and spiritual response to an unveiling of what God's doing among us.  We revealed to our church the land that God has provided us with and both services erupted in worship and celebration.  My own heart was stirred with joy and excitement as I  remembered God bringing my family into the Crossroads story and seeing where He's taken us all and still having the excitement of what's in store for us as we journey on together. 

Having a tool like land and a building will be a great next step in our ministry developement.  There are so many to reach around us.  So many that still are skeptical and unaware of God's redeeming love and purpose for their lives.  I love being in a place where God is alive and changing people daily!

Celebrating Christ

I grew up in a very traditional home and a traditional church and this influences much of who I have become in life.  I'm very grateful for the values that have been instilled into my life as a result of this history.  I discovered Christ at an early age and have been celebrating His birth with my family and my church every year of my life.  There are many traditions that I love that includes  songs, foods, smells, decorations, church events, and family gatherings.  Even as I type this my mind is flooded with so many recollections of wonderful moments creating gratitude in my heart for all that Christ has done to shape my world.  He is my Peace, Hope, Love, Joy and Salvation.  What a reason for celebration.

There is an ongoing debate in ministry circles about churches having or not having services on Sunday morning since Dec. 25 falls on a Sunday.  I serve Christ in a church that has a core value of reaching our lost world with the joy that we've all found and celebrate.  That lost world considers the 25th a "holiday" for family and food and presents.  Their traditions may be somewhat similar to mine, however, they have no clue for the meaning behind all the hype.  In my desire to reach them, I'm so glad that I'm in a church that has chosen to put all our efforts into a Christmas Eve celebration that presents the hope of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.  The 24th is a day that they might actually come and hear the message, and hopefully wake up the next morning with an entirely new reason to celebrate with their family.

Does it seem a bit "odd" to not have a "Church service" planned on the 25th?  Honestly, it does.  My history is filled with such celebrations, but the world I'm longing to reach has a whole set of history that's just as strong.  Christ's birth is not about me and what I'm used to.  It's about a man entering humanity with a purpose to give us meaning, hope, and a future.  For me, I plan on creating some family traditions with my children that can be continued every year, no matter what day of the week the 25th falls on.  I will pass on my love for a baby born in Bethlehem, with out the obligation to stop all these traditions every 7 years when it falls on a Sunday.  And also reach out to the world around me.  I see Crossroad's decision to emphasize the 24th as the best way to celebrate and honor the King.  I'm glad I'm a part of a church that seeks to do what Christ came to do "seek and save the lost".

Technology Rocks!

I have to start this with a disclaimer that I'm a techno idiot!  But I am SO grateful to be serving at a church that values technology and desires to stay relevant to culture.  Today I sat in on a staff training that left me overwhelmed and excited.  Overwhelmed because it was introducing us to the next wave of technology to be introduced at Crossroads, and I'm supposed to learn how to use it.  And excited because it promised to bring order to my chaotic communication world.  What is you ask?  A new web-based, church-wide, communication tool that is so comprehensive, I can't begin to explain it.   Crossroaders get ready for a new level of accessibility to your staff and to each other.  It's called "Fellowship One" and you'll be hearing a LOT more about it in the next 6 months as we get everything up and running.  We needed it 2 years ago, and I wished it was ready for implementation now.  But I'll be patient...ya...sure...OK.  Crossroaders are gonna love it!