[1]

February 2013vol.2 issue 2

PASTOR’S MESSAGE A WORD FROM PASTOR GENE

Greetings in the strong name of Jesus Christ! February marks the time of year when many return to church after the holiday hiatus (and begin to recover from the shock of those holiday credit card bills). It's also the time of year traditionally when many who have wondered about spiritual things throw caution to the wind and risk entering a church for the first time or, for many, venture back to church for the first time in many years. February is also the time of year we see many coming who are new to the area. That said, I'm asking that everyone in the Crossroads family be especially aware right now of the needs of those coming through our doors for the very first time. Join me in warmly welcoming visitors and first, second and third time attenders. Seek out someone in the lobby you've never met before and introduce yourself. Let them know that Crossroads is a safe place, where everyone is welcome and no one is judged. You can be the difference someone is searching for with nothing more than a welcoming smile and an invitation to share a cup of coffee. Remember the very first time you came to Crossroads? It was good, wasn't it? Pass it on.

Love God. Love others. Serve the world.

a newsletter from crossroads

THE

COLLECTIVE

Crossroads’ Original Series

Each Sunday in February!

[2]

Meet Angela Drown, a member of Crossroads for almost four years. The family first came to Crossroads after seeing billboards across the city, which I must confess is how I was initially drawn to the church as well. When she observed her son was not asleep, but instead awake and attentive during the message, she was “hooked.” Drawn to the music and the welcoming atmosphere, here at Crossroads she was treated “like a person” and that was inviting. Her

daughter also was attending children’s church at the time and “LOVED it." Even from the beginning, the love Gene and Leslie have for the church and the people was apparent. Over the years

Angela has grown close to fellow Crossroads members by being active in small groups. It is expected that people come and go over the years as Pastor Gene has said this is a “transient community”, but she feels that is what makes Crossroads so special. Angela started volunteering as a greeter with hopes to meet people and learn names. She continues to serve as a host, but also works with her daughter Lorena in Kid’s Crossing, with her son Chris often playing drums with the band. When asked where she sees the church in the next five years, it is doing great things. “I share in the Oden's dream for this

church and I'm sure I also share with them the fact that the progression doesn't seem to go as fast as we would like it but we just have to let God lead and show us His timeline." Here at

Crossroads we are thankful for Angela Drown!

Member Spotlight-By Veronica Tolas

Food Boxes-By Rachel Williams

Each month, Crossroads distributes Emergency Food Boxes to people right here in Enterprise. Last month alone, 20 boxes of food were provided to those in need.

The food in those boxes comes from your donations. Please add some of the items below to your shopping list this week and bring them to Crossroads. This month’s Food Box Distribution Day is Tuesday,

February 12th! What a simple, yet powerful way to show Christ’s love to the people in our community.

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Food Box Supply List 18 oz. Peanut Butter 32 oz. Jelly 28 oz. Green Beans (2 Cans) 29 oz. Corn (2 Cans) 15 oz. Peas (4 Cans) 13½ oz. Spinach (2 Cans) 40 oz. Yams 32 oz. Mashed Potatoes 7¼ oz. Macaroni & Cheese (5 Boxes)

5 lb. Rice 29 oz. Tomato Sauce (2 Cans) 1 lb. Spaghetti 1 lb. Red Beans (2 Bags) 12½ oz. Canned Chicken Breast 26 oz. Chicken Noodle Soup (2 Cans) 29 oz. Fruit Cocktail (2 Cans) 64 oz. Apple Juice 1 lb. Apple Sauce

[3]

January Attendance

771

First Time Attenders

12

Comments"Thanks, Chris! I now realize my blackboard is clean and there is soooo much room to write the rest of the story."

"Worship was wonderful."

"Enjoyed Chris' energetic teaching."

"I love this church! I love all the positive things we do for the community and how welcome we always feel here! Great message today! New Year, New Beginnings!"

"Great service-looking forward to fixing my broken windows and seeing the transformation."

"So excited that Youth Ministry is back! Thank you!"

"Awesome message.""So excited about the Bible reading challenge."

"Great message ending a great series."

"Worship was outstanding! Great job band. Loved seeing Carlos do the service intro!"

"Good job, Ben!"

CONNECTIONS & COMMENTS

Greetings from Crossroads Youth. The youth have been meeting for past few weeks, and I'm excited to see that we are already growing. What I particularly love seeing is the teens inviting their friends. Our attendance has almost doubled this month! At this rate we may have to knock down a wall to make room.Recently, we've been spending some time getting to know each other as we have looked at one of C.S. Lewis' book on spirituality, namely "Screwtape Letters." In the immediate future, this week the youth are hosting the Chili Cook-Off. This event is one of Crossroads' pastimes, and we're glad to be a part of it.  As I wrap up this update I want to take a moment to brag about the youth of Crossroads. Overall, this group of teens love to serve on Sunday mornings. A quick look around the Children areas on any given Sunday will show you several teens that dedicate their time to serve others. I can't take credit for any of this. These are the teens of the parents of Crossroads. Thank you mom and dad for showing your teen that investing in others is an investment in yourself. And thank you teens for making me look good.

Crossroads Youth Update-By Pastor Ben Rice

Youth Meets every

Wednesday, 6:30pm @

Crossroads Café

[4]

Happy Birthday, Crossroads!-By Rachel Williams

Crossroads was born in the heart of Lead Pastor Gene Oden long before we opened our doors. After serving for many years as a music and youth pastor, Gene saw a common trend in churches: “church people” were comfortable, “outsiders” were not. People without church experience found it difficult to connect with both the message and the community. Heartbroken by the revolving door of people who left church without finding Jesus, Gene and his wife Leslie began to pray about starting a different kind of church, where those seeking God could find Him, and connect with people in a life changing way.

In December of 2007, Gene shared his vision with 20 people at an informalmeeting, and on February 3, 2008 , t h i r t y - th ree peop le gathered in the Oden’s home for the first service. We enjoyed coffee and donuts, great music and media, and practical messages from the Bible, much like our services today! We added more seating as our crowd grew, but in six short weeks, we had outgrown the house.

A 4,000 square foot space in Morgan Square was our next home, transformed from dance studio to church by an army of volunteers we call “Roadies”. When the dust settled, we had an eighty-seat sanctuary, lobby, and children’s space. Our first service in what we now call The Annex was Easter Sunday, 2008. Sixty-five people joined us that day. Many people trusted Christ in the weeks that followed, and our eighty-seat sanctuary had more than one hundred people by July 4, 2008. We were on the move again, this time to what would become our permanent home.

We launched at the College Cinema on August 10, 2008 with 172 people. With the purchase and renovation of the Enterprise School of Dance building we now have a permanent presence in the community, as well as an office and children's facility  right next door to the Cinema where we meet. We have also rented out a space in the College Plaza shops that will serve as Crossroads Café were coffee is served

on weekdays and were youth meets each Wednesday night. Over the

past 5 years, thousands have called Crossroads their

home. On Sundays we have relevant teaching to help us live by Biblical pr inc ip les, and our v i b r a n t C h i l d r e n ’ s ministry is one of the b e s t a n y w h e r e . Between Sundays we

offer opportunities for S p i r i t u a l G r o w t h ,

Relational Growth, Serving in the Church, and Serving the

World in the context of Small G r o u p s . We l o v e s e r v i n g o u r

commun i t y ! Food Boxes , Commun i t y Thanksgiving Meal, and Stockings for Kids are just a few of the ways we show God’s love to those in need. Our mission is simple: To Love God, Love Others, and Serve the World.

It is impossible to say what Crossroads will look like over the next 5 years. A few things are certain, however, that Crossroads will be a church were people who don’t like church will feel welcome, a place where the word of God is communicated each week, and Crossroads will be a church family that actively Loves God, Loves Others, and Serves the World.

Happy Birthday, Crossroads!

[5]

[6]

As a church that is built upon the gateway city to Army Aviation, we would like to take a moment to identify Fort Rucker related events occurring within the church community.Here at Crossroads, we want to spotlight the monthly accomplishments of ALL our US Soldiers at Fort Rucker and abroad. If we have missed, or if you or a family member, has an upcoming graduation or deployment, please contact nybound901@yahoo.com and we can recognize this great feat.

Thank you for your service and congratulations.

Operation Love Reunited

Great Opportunity for those who are deploying, returning from a deployment, or in the midst of one!

If this is you, please contact Natasha Chalker Photography for a complimentary session and prints as a THANK YOU to our military community for their sacrifice and service. Chalker is a member of O p e r a t i o n L o v e R e u n i t e d f o r 5 y e a r s . www.oplove.org. www.natashachalker.com

FORT RUCKER CONNECTION

JANUARY 2012 GRADUATE

GRADUATIONS & FAREWELLS

None this month.

Check back in March!

Please take a moment and pray for Crossroads members who are now deployed.NAME LOCATION

Matt Haygood Kosovo

Jack Higginbotham Afghanistan

Stephen Carlson Afghanistan (soon to be deployed)

Brian Burgi Mexican Border

Steven Dickerson Kuwait

Cory Shelton Afghanistan

Pete Fell Afghanistan

Joseph Johnson Afghanistan

Ben Huffines Afghanistan

NAME LOCATION

Gregory Bell Germany

Jason Jungell Afghanistan

Nick McReynolds Kosovo

TJ Harlan Kuwait

Jamie Huebner Kuwait

Sean Richardson Afghanistan

James Weipert Afghanistan

Ryan Owen Afghanistan

Ben Clark South Korea

[7]

Before a deployment, the anxiety level is always high, and each i n d i v i d u a l d e a l s w i t h t h e accompanying emotions vastly different. Soldiers often f ind excitement in the thrill of the m i s s i o n , b u t a l s o f e e l overwhelmed. They feel guilt over being emotionally detached, and fearful of the time away from family and loved ones. And then there are the spouses, who truly want to support their soldier and his mission, but deep down are n e r v o u s a s h e c k , f e e l i n g abandoned, sad, lost, and often angry.

With deployment day less than 24 hours away, you either start to panic or you deny, how do you spend those l as t 24 hou rs together? During my research for “Beyond the Battlefield”, I was able to ask hundreds of military spouses this very question and quickly learned the responses were drastically different.

-“Family has always been at the center o f o u r relationship. T h i n g s h a v e n ’ t c h a n g e d m u c h , excep t we ca l l i t the “ s e e y o u soon” night n o w. L a s t n i g h t , w e o r d e r e d 4 cheese pizzas and had a night of Disney. I sat there and looked at my children, asleep in his arms. I wanted to stay in the moment forever.”

-“It was the most romantic night of my life. I rented a fancy hotel room at the Hilton, and went there early in the morning while Miguel was still sleeping, to put rose petals on the bed, and champagne on ice next to the whirlpool tub filled with smelly bath salts. Jasmine, that’s my favorite. He picked me up later that night and told me I needed to get in the car, that he was taking me somewhere important before dinner. We ended up at the same Hilton, where he’d ALSO rented a room. Great minds think alike!”

-“We fell asleep before midnight. I cooked his favorite meal, starting with a shrimp cocktail appetizer, followed by grilled swordfish, a giant NY steak, garlic bread, and absolutely NO vegetables (just how

he likes it). We didn’t eat much, just sat looking at each other”

The day comes, you don’t want to wake up so you lie in your bed, hoping if you close your eyes again, he’ll still be there tomorrow.

- “I was fine up until the moment he turned to walk away. I just stood there, my feet melting into the ground, unable to move . . . my hand gripping his wedding ring chained around my neck. I watched the busses creep down the single lane toward the tarmac, surrounded by the sobs of children, of grown men and women. It just feels like my life is spinning out of control a million times faster than the wheels on the bus that carried my husband away for 15 months.”

...Continued on Page 9

COUNTDOWN TO A DEPLOYMENT THROUGH THE EYES OF A SPOUSE

-By Veronica Tolas

Have an idea for The Collective? Something you want to know more about? Perhaps you'd like to contribute an article, photograph or essay. Please email y o u r r e q u e s t t o info@crossroadsenterprise.org

Corey and

Krista

Thompson

[8]

-By Leslie Oden

Each month in this section o f T h e C o l l e c t i v e

we'll feature a post from Leslie

Oden's blog, ChickFood. You can read more of her inspir ing thoughts at leslieoden.com.

Be Mine

My husband doesn't "do" Valentine's Day. Nope. No chocolates, no flowers, no mushy, gushy, heart-covered cards. And it's totally OK with me. (Husbands, don't try this at home.) Our wedd ing ann i ve rsa ry i s on February 9th, and he always makes a big fuss over our special day, so he gets a pass on February 14th, otherwise known in our house as N a t i o n a l G r e e t i n g Card Day.

But even if he didn't go all-out on o u r anniversary ( a g a i n , husbands, don't try this at home), he shows his love and affection for me every single day. By working hard to provide for

our family, by encouraging me to dream big, or by getting up at 4:00am with the crazy Boxer while I sleep soundly, he shows I'm the one for him. By these, and a thousand other kindnesses, he says "be mine". And isn't that the most important thing? How we live our love every day? What good are chocolates and roses on V-Day if we fail to walk out our love the other 364 days of the year?

So by all means, wives and h u s b a n d s , b o y f r i e n d s a n d girlfriends, show your love with hearts and flowers on St. Valentine's Day! Go out to dinner. Do the dishes for her. Recite a poem. Get engaged! But however you celebrate, remember that every day is the day to show love to your Valentine.

Prayer for Today: Father, help me to love my spouse(or

significant other) with my words and actions, not just o n h o l i d a y s a n d anniversaries, but every day. Help me remember that "love" is a verb. Help

me to honor you in the way I love and care for my

spouse. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Verse:

“I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me.”

-Song of Solomon 7:10 ESV

January Births

-None this month, but check with us again in December!

January Weddings

-Caitlin and Cameron Griffin, January 5th in

Dothan, AL

*If we have

missed a celebration,

or if you and your family are celebrating a birth or wedding in the upcoming month, please contact nybound901@yahoo.com so we can rejoice together as a church.

CONGRATULATIONS CROSSROADS

[9]

Countdown continued...-“I remember saying goodbye that first time. Wanting to leave him with the image of a strong woman, no tears. Instead, we ended up sitting in the front seat of our Kia, in awkward silence. He stepped out of the car, looked into my eyes, and walked away. Everything had already been said. I replay that moment over and over again. This t ime wasn ’ t much d i f fe rent . Sometimes there’s just no words left . . . “How do you say goodbye to someone you love for an uncertain amount of time? It’s a hard concept to grasp, what to say, how to say it.

-“Right before he walked away, he whispered something in my ear. “When you feel alone, just look at the spaces between your fingers. Remember that in those spaces you can see my fingers locked with yours forever.” It really didn’t sink in when I had to say goodbye. To wait a year before I’m kissed again, held again . . . “

Crossroads members Corey and Krista Thompson will soon be experiencing these emotional m o m e n t s l e a d i n g u p t o a deployment. The couple first came to Fort Rucker for flight school in J a n u a r y 2 0 11 , a n d C o r e y graduated in April 2012 as a Black Hawk pilot for the MO National Guard. They found Crossroads online, and were drawn to the church after viewing Pastor Gene’s message. They have now found

their way back to Crossroads, like so many do, as Corey is completing the Apache transition course.

Corey joined the Missouri National Guard at 17, and with ten years of serv ice he is now preparing to be deployed with an Apache Unit out of Whitemen Airforce base. This will not be the first deployment for the Crossroads soldier as he s e r v e d i n Iraq when he was 19, but the first for the married couple. It was his first deployment w h e r e t h e c o u p l e ’ s story, who will be celebrating five years together this June, begins. Krista’s best friend had asked her to pray for her c o u s i n ’ s s a f e t y d u r i n g h i s deployment. Krista kept a prayer journal and recalls praying for him several times during his time abroad. Along with her prayers for the soldier’s safety, she remembers “right before or after his name I was praying for my husband. God had me a l ready p ray ing fo r my husband's protection in Iraq before I had even met him.”

“As a military wife I have realized I need to seek out help from family, f r i e n d s , a n d c h u r c h . M o s t importantly for this upcoming deployment is finding peace and comforts from God while my partner is gone.” Krista plans to live in Missouri near family and friends during the deployment, utilizing the time apart for self-improvement and goal setting. Bringing them

together emotionally and spiritually while they are miles apart, they plan to watch a n d d i s c u s s Crossroads sermons t h r o u g h o u t t h e deployment.

Preparing for a year faced with constant

uncertainty and forced to endure immense hardships, the truth is if you really love someone, you try anything to make it work. There isn’t a method, a guidebook, or words of wisdom for the weeks leading up to and the months during a deployment. It is during these times we can truly trust in God and turn to those we love. So we wake up each morning thankful for all that we have and simply to be alive for yet another day, because that is another day closer to the next time you are in each other’s arms once again.

Want to Give Online?Online giving is designed to provide a simple, secure way for you to give to God's work at Crossroads. It makes it easy to keep up with your giving when you miss a service, or go on vacation. Using this feature, you can make a single online donation, set up weekly, twice-monthly, or monthly automatic drafts using your bank account or debit card, or help build Crossroads' permanent home by giving to our Building Fund.

Visit www.crossroadsenterprise.org/Giving for more information.

Kid’s Crossing Needs

As Crossroads grows, so d o e s o u r w o n d e r f u l children’s ministry, Kid’s Crossing! We need your help to make Sundays the best day of the week for the kids. Read the list below, and if you are able, buy a few items and b r ing them to K id ’s Crossing this Sunday. Thanks!

-Goldfish Snacks

-Juice Boxes (Apple-no sugar added)

-Small Plastic Cups

-Small Water Bottles(8 ounce)

-Cheerios(Plain)

-Baby Wipes

-Lysol Disinfectant Spray

-Clorox Cleaning Wipes

[10]

Sunday, February 3rd (Crossroads’ 5th Anniversary!) The Glass Slipper Myth Week 1-10:30am @ College Cinema

Wednesday, February 6thCrossroads Teens-6:30pm @ Crossroads Café

Friday, February 8th Chili Cook Off-6:30pm @ Kid’s Crossing

Sunday, February 10thThe Glass Slipper Myth Week 2-10:30am @ College Cinema

Food Box Sunday-Bring Donations Today!!!

Sunday Night Class-6:00pm-8:00pm @ Kid’s Crossing

Tuesday, February 12th Food Box Distribution Day-1:00pm-3:00pm @ Kid’s Crossing

Wednesday, February 13thCrossroads Teens-6:30pm @ Crossroads Café

Sunday, February 17thThe Glass Slipper Myth Week 3-10:30am @ College Cinema

Sunday Night Class-6:00pm-8:00pm @ Kid’s Crossing

Wednesday, February 20thCrossroads Teens-6:30pm @ Crossroads Café

Sunday, February 24thThe Glass Slipper Myth Week 4(Communion)-10:30am @ College Cinema

Sunday Night Class-6:00pm-8:00pm @ Kid’s Crossing

Wednesday, February 27thCrossroads Teens-6:30pm @ Crossroads Café

EVENT CALENDAR

Donec arcu diamAmet sit. Congue tortor cursus risus vestibulum commodo nisl, luctus augue amet quis aenean maecenas sit, donec velit iusto, morbi felis elit et nibh. Vestibulum volutpat dui lacus consectetuer, mauris at suspendisse, eu wisi rhoncus Sociosqu netus semper aenean suspendisse dictum, arcu enim conubia leo nulla ac nibh, eget.

Natoque placerat sed• Don Carcurisus• Posuere Feugiat• Tortor Kursus• Morbi Toname

Congue tortor cursusCurabitur labore. Ac augue donec, sed gravida a dolor luctus, congue arcu id diam praesent, pretium ac.

EXTREME MAGAZINE1234 Main StreetAnytown, State ZIP

Our VisionChurch for people who don't like church.

Our PurposeLove God, love others, serve the world.

Our MissionConnect people to God, to each other, and to the world around them.

Office HoursTuesday-Friday9:00am to 4:00pm

(334) 347-3947

Visit Our Websitewww.crossroadsenterprise.org

P.O. Box 311567Enterprise, AL 36331