Confession time! I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor. I know the church. I lived, breathed and ate potlucks at church! My life was school, sports and church as a kid, but I was frustrated with the church.

My parents were as loving as anyone would expect. My childhood was as good as anyone else’s, but the church always seemed to be a frustration. The crazy thing was, as I got older, I just knew I was supposed to be a pastor. Now I had to make a choice; do I ditch the call or try to do things differently?

In 2018, God led my family to Cross Connection Church, and we have joined a family. We are not a perfect church family, but we work hard to deal with our struggles in a healthy way. We are taking real steps and seeing God lead this church as we try and get out of the way. He is working in us. Meanwhile, we are his hands and feet.

God has made it clear that Cross Connection Church is supposed to equip people to live transformed and empowered lives through Jesus.

That is exciting! That means that God is calling His leaders in this church to equip others to love others, no matter who they are. The only way we can do that with any amount of stamina, sincerity and joy is if we have been transformed by Jesus. If that has happened, then we will live life differently from others. We will be living a life that is empowered by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! This truth is the source of joy within us.

Living like this would all be impossible if it were not for Jesus. He is alive, and He is our Lord! He is the difference in this church. As we choose to follow Him, as He walks us through the pains and joys of life we are a church that is worth being a part of!