Eric Offstage

All I Can Say Is Thank You

This is just a shout out of gratitude.

First, to the multitude of volunteers that served so tirelessly at the Thrill and Move Conference last Tuesday - Thank You!  Our conference was a HUGE SUCCESS because of you!  Hundreds of pastors and church leaders from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa came for the day to our church; and you sacrificially served, encouraged, blessed and helped them.  THANK YOU!  The kingdom of Jesus is going to grow so much due to your hard work.  I love that we weren't just about our little church but about the entire kingdom of Jesus. 

Second, to Pastors Brad White and Shannon Odell - you guys rocked the house at our conference.  Your talks on vision and funding the church were amazing, and I am thankful to have such great pastor friends like you all.  Thanks for flying to Minnesota and encouraging pastors, church leaders and our team at the Crossing as well.  Our church and our leadership will be better because of your wisdom. 

Third, to Pastor Bil Cornelius. Thanks for being my friend, mentor, and wise board member.  Your talk all 6 services on Thrill and Move weekend were hilarious and great!  Our church was super stoked to have you preach the weekend services, and Jesus totally showed up!  But what I am personally grateful for is your friendship and wisdom.  Having a friend in ministry like you is something I will never take for granted.  So many pastors go through ministry solo, and I so thankful for your support, wisdom, and ability to get all up in my grill and explode my paradigm so I think outside the box. 

Fourth, to the Crossing staff.  You people are an amazing team, and I love you all.  You worked your guts out for the conference (not to mention every weekend), and I am so thankful you serve with me.  I have the privilege of leading the craziest, hardest working church staff on earth.  I know you love Jesus and are willing to do anything, everything or nothing to accomplish our mission to de-populate hell in the northwest suburbs.  Thank you for all you do.

Fifth, to Jesus.  Thank you for being the head of the church (specifically for being the head of The Crossing Church).  Thank you for allowing us to be part of your kingdom team and for blessing us with your presence every weekend and every day.  Without you, Jesus, we are nothing.  And once again you showed up in a HUGE way for us this past weekend and changed a TON of lives.  We are grateful, blessed, and we will not take this for granted.  We realize we serve the Greatest Savior (Jesus), on the greatest mission (The Gospel), with the greatest organization (the Church) in all the world.  Thank you Jesus for allowing us ring side seats to life change.  It is always, only about you.  

THANKS...

The Crossing's THRILL & MOVE Conference

The Crossing is officially launching its first conference on Tuesday June 8th.  I want to personally invite every pastor and church leader that reads this blog to attend this one-day event. 

 

Here is the low down:

 

Title:  Thrill & Move Conference.  (Of course.  That is all The Crossing does.)

Mission:  THRILL leaders with the greatness of their call & MOVE churches to the next level of kingdom growth.

 

Why Attend?

1. This one day event is all about empowering you and your team to live out your vision.  I believe that vision comes from God, and is given to one guy (the lead pastor), and God then brings people around Him to accomplish that vision.  We want to spend the day empowering your team to get behind you to accomplish your vision in your city for Christ and His kingdom.  (If you come we will tell your team they need to get busy supporting their pastor.  Pastors, you need this.  I can say what sometimes you can't.) 
2. We are not interested in making you become like us.  We are interested in empowering you to live out your mission and vision for Jesus.  That looks very different for every church.  We want to teach you to be you. 
3. Other conferences are hosted by bigger churches with bigger names.  They bring in an author or a speaker and talk to you about theory and how your church needs to be more relevant.  This is all cool, but most every church leader reading this is ALREADY seeking to be relevant.  We want to teach you PRACTICAL things that you can do immediately in your church that can make a big difference in reaching people.  
4. You know me.  I am not a celebrity pastor or a big name.  I am just a dude who God dropped into Elk River with a mission.  What I teach you on this day will be theologically sound, practical, empowering and ATTAINABLE.  We aren't so big that it isn't possible.  Again, you know me.   
5. I don't say this to brag, but God is doing some incredible things at The Crossing:  

• Our attendance has gone from a core of 45 to an average of 1500 people per weekend in 5 years. 
• Our staff has gone from one to 18 staff positions. 
• Last week 91 people walked across the line of faith in our services.
• We average 50 - 60 visiting families per weekend.
• We run seven services every weekend in two locations.
• Our second campus in Zimmerman is already running two services and hitting 250 per week. 
• Our Crossing Recovery (Formerly Celebrate Recovery) now has two locations and over 125 addicts per week attending.
• And we are planning to baptize over 100 people on Good Friday.  (We do 4 baptisms only per year.)

I am not telling you any of this to brag about me but about Jesus.  I want you to know that God is doing something extraordinary at the Crossing, and we want to share with you some of what we have learned about why God is doing this; and then encourage you and your team to get a vision for what God can do with you and your church.  

 

Cost:  $40.00 per person  Pastor's spouses are free.  (All Crossing attenders and members are 1/2 price.) 

 

Schedule as I know it right now: 

•     Registration:  9:00am (light refreshments provided)
•     Start time:  10:00 
•     Lunch (Provided)
•     End time:  5:00
•     Worship Experience open to the public:  Doors open @ 6:15.  Service at 6:30.  Priority seating goes to conference attendees. 

If you and your team are interested in attending please email our church office:  office@crossing-church.com

If you are a Crossing member or attender:  Mark the date on your calendar.  Get the day off from work.  It is going to be AMAZING!  Sign ups for my Crossing peeps begins soon. 

Thrill and Move Baby!