Remember Those Who Dug the Well

I’m amazed at what God has been doing the last 30 years in and through a group of people known as Crossroads Church. From a tiny core group praying for direction to a multi-campus, disciple-making network of churches living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. I find myself amazed by where we’ve come from and filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. I can’t count the number of times that I have heard Ken Adams say, “Those who drink the water must remember those who dug the well.”  I just love this quote. It is so true. If we are not careful we can become comfortable where we are and take for granted all that has been built on hard work, sacrifice, faithfulness, and utter dependence on God. Our God is truly an awesome God!

I am thankful for that core group that met in schools. Every week was a labor of love…love for a community that needed to Experience God and Connect with Christ and His Church. Every week was a sacrificial offering….sacrifice of time (setting up and tearing down takes time), energy (setting up and tearing down is not easy), resources (cribs, furnishings and equipment aren’t cheap). Every week was a challenge…a challenge met with faithfulness, dedication and determination. Meeting in schools wasn’t easy, but, the payoff, the fruit was exponential. It is from this group that we have grown into the church we are today. Almost 4000 people have been baptized. We have given almost $4 million to missions, and 13 new churches have been started. Each of those congregations have drank from that well. Isn’t that amazing!?!

As we look to our future we must pause with gratitude for those who “dug the wells” over the years at Crossroads. We must also pause to ask ourselves a question - “Where is God leading me to dig a well?”  With each new campus, church plant, ministry initiative there is a well to be dug. It will take sacrifice, resources and surely be a labor of love. As we looked back during the Anniversary service, my mind was taken to a school a few miles down the road where we are digging a well to reach the community of Senoia. I could see families, gathering to worship, kids and parents being baptized, students leading out in their schools, young adults surrendering to full-time ministry. The same God that led Palmetto Baptist Church to reach the people of Coweta County 30 years ago is leading us to reach the people of Senoia.

Can you imagine what would happen if we began to dig with the same sacrifice, faithfulness, determination and dependence on God that the core group had 30 years ago? I believe we would see two things happen:

• God will do far more than we could ask or imagine!
  

  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
  

• We will see revival sweep our community and beyond!
  

  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Let’s put on our work clothes and get digging. It’s time to help someone else encounter the living water of Christ.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

12 Days of Serving Others

During the holiday season, we are reminded of what it means to give. Many times, we are encouraged to give financially, give to nonprofits, give gifts…all things that require giving material goods. But what about serving people? Both giving and serving are great ways to help others and make a huge impact, but I think that we forget to do both during this season.

In the midst of a material-focused society, sometimes we forget what it means to serve others in addition to giving to others. Giving to others is a great thing, but in some situations, people need to be served more than they need a gift. To serve someone shows the depth of how much we care for them.

What do you plan on giving to others this holiday season? If you plan on giving to the church, people in need, or even just gifts for the family, I would encourage you to also think of ways that you can serve those same people in addition to the gifts that you give.

A great way for you and your family to focus on serving others this month is to plan an advent calendar for serving during the 12 days leading up to Christmas! This is a great activity to do for everyone! Whether it’s just you, you and your friend or spouse, or you and the whole family, creating a plan for 12 days of serving will help you intentionally care for others this season.

Creating a “12 Days of Serving” Calendar

Brainstorm

Brainstorm and write down some ways that you could serve others. If you’re doing this with a friend, close family member, or your kids, include them in the brainstorming and see what they come up with as well. During this brainstorming process, don’t be too hard on yourself. Think small at first and then write down what you come up with.

Make a List

Try to make it your own, but if you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas, here are a few to help you start thinking:

• Do the dishes for a family member

• Rake the leaves for a neighbor

• Send a note of encouragement to a friend

• Offer to help carry someone’s groceries

• Invite a neighbor over for a meal

Once you’re finished with your list, condense it down to 12 (or however many days you choose to do). Now you can make your advent calendar!

Create Your Calendar

There are many ways that you can make your calendar of serving, so it’s up to you to decide what’s best and most fun for you!

Here are a few ways that I thought of:

• Write each day and serving activity on a notepad and tear the days off of the notepad as you go

• Write each day’s activity on a notecard and hang them in order on a string with a laundry clip

• Write each day’s activity in a notebook and journal about how each serving opportunity goes

• Write your list on a dry erase board and check them off as you go

• Buy or print a calendar to write down and mark off each day

I hope this is a fun and encouraging activity for you and your friends/family this Christmas! Sometimes serving others is scary and takes boldness, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself struggling to take that step. Just remember why you’re doing it and the positive outcome that it may bring in someone’s life. Be bold and share God’s love this holiday season by serving others!

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Trying to Decide Where to Serve

Local church ministry requires a lot of hands, and serving is a vital part of the life of a fully trained disciple. Trying to decide where to serve can be tough, but there are a few key questions that can help you decide where to plug in as a part of the body of Christ.

1. Why do I want to serve?

It may sound silly to start with such a simple question, but it is crucial to understand why you are taking the step to look for somewhere to serve. It is a foundational question and needs to be answered if you are going to find the right place to serve and, more importantly, serve with the right heart.

Most Christ followers would say that our motivation (our “why”) is Jesus’ example. Over and over again Jesus showed His disciples the importance of servanthood and told them plainly that he came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). In Luke 22:27 Jesus says, “I am among you as the one who serves.” The kingdom he established is led by servants, and he has invited us to participate.

As you answer this question, remember this—your why may provide details that help lead you to the right what. For example, I was greatly impacted by a volunteer in my youth ministry when I was a student. His ministry impacted me in two major ways. First, he valued me during a time that I was struggling to believe I was valuable. Second, I knew that he was called and equipped to do student ministry, but he had a corporate job and felt stuck because of the pressure to provide for his family. This relationship led to two very distinct answers to the question of “why do I want to serve.” I wanted to serve so that I could make young people who are struggling understand their identity and value in light of the Gospel, AND I wanted to help people discover their callings and find the strength to walk in them. Because of this, I have devoted almost 20 years to student ministry, and I am currently employed with a non-profit that helps young adults discover their callings.

2. Where are the biggest needs?

When we choose to serve, we are making a choice to become “other focused” instead of being focused on ourselves. Asking this question is the first step in that process. God cares deeply about the Church and calls us to be His hands and feet as we serve (inside and outside of the body of Christ).  

This is one of the questions that a lot of people don’t like to ask themselves because sometimes it goes against their personal desires. Here is one common scenario: If a singer asks themselves this question, they may find out that there are already six vocalists but no one to run sound. For a season, they may be a greater blessing to their local church as a sound person than a vocalist. So where is the biggest need? Where will you be the greatest blessing as you serve?

3. What are some of my natural abilities and interests?

God created us all with unique abilities, and when we become believers, we are given spiritual gifts as well. Discovering what those abilities are is a necessary step in discovering where to serve as a part of the local church.  

We also each have unique interests—Activities that resonate with who we are. The problem is, not many people know what their natural abilities and interests are. Do you? Do you know what you are genetically encoded to do well? Or what types of activities you enjoy the most? 

4. What am I passionate about?

Serving in an area that you care about allows you to prioritize ministry and battle excuses that you might have for not fully committing. Passion fuels us as we continue to pour out in our area of ministry. If someone or something has captured your heart, God can use you as you selflessly and joyfully give. What are you passionate about? Who/what do you love? Worship? Students? Biblical truth? Babies? Children with special needs?

5. Where will I become who God wants me to be?

Through the years, I have learned that God is more concerned about who we are becoming than what we are doing. As you search for a place to serve, ask God to show you where you can grow the most. It may not be easy, but sometimes the hardest things are the most transformative. Serving others is challenging, but the more we serve the more we become like Jesus. Where can you serve and grow the most as a disciple?

To find out more about Crossroads’ serving opportunities, click HERE!