In the last month, we witnessed the collision of three wonderful things: NCAA basketball season, coffee weather, and our kickoff services at the Arts Incubator in downtown Kansas City. God has a great sense of timing.

It was about this time in 2008 when Lindsay and I began taking serious steps toward planting Crossroads Church. We began with two people (four if you count Aidan and Asher) meeting in our loft apartment with slim resources, no backers, and a dream to see the gospel take root downtown.

In the year that followed, God did some amazing things. We’d like to take this Thanksgiving to pause and take a look in the rear view mirror.

In the last year…

God began sending us people who love Jesus, love people, and are happy to serve downtown. This team came from across KC and out of state, and is still growing–last month we were joined by Ajay Goforth, a talented worship leader who also happens to share my initials. If you feel the tug to get involved, get in touch.

After eight months of agonizing negotiation and lots of prayer, God moved us into a big Brick House (yeah, that’s what we call it). Now our family is within walking distance of downtown, meeting neighbors, throwing parties, and using this place as a staging area for our team.

Through lots of prayer and conversations over coffee, God led us to a handful of generous church partners who share our passion to see Jesus’ kingdom grow in KC. Crossroads wouldn’t exist without their prayer, financial help, volunteers, and friendship. If your church could get involved in some way, shout–we are praying for several more solid partnerships for 2010.

Finally, and most importantly, God has helped us build relationships downtown (neighborhood associations, art galleries, friends and neighbors). In a post-church, post-Christian culture like ours, cynicism toward church gives way to friendship very gradually. We’re blessed to have a growing network of people that we’re serving alongside, and we’re here for the long haul, communicating the gospel with our words and deeds.

This was also the year that…

• We had baby 3.0 (Ezra, born August 4). Just because we could.
• We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary (also August 4). Double party.
• We lived in Lindsay’s parents’ basement for 6 months. (Insert appropriate in-law joke.)
• We gave so many downtown tours that we lost count. All we need is a bus.
• And AJ single-handedly kept at least three coffee shops in business. But he’s not addicted.

As we look back at the last year, we’re amazed and grateful.** It’s more clear than ever that God is the one who saves us, keeps us breathing, and grows his church. Thank you for your prayers and partnership. As Crossroads moves into its second year, can we keep relying on you? Please pray:

That we’ll grow and excel in serving and befriending people downtown.

That we’ll faithfully communicate the gospel in our relationships.

That we’ll gain several more solid church partners for 2010.

That Jesus will be glorified as more people believe.

Peace,

AJ (Ariel) & Lindsay

Crossroads Church Kansas City

** Since we are sure that you, like us, are irritated by sugar-coated stories, it seems only right to point out that in the last year we have been stretched like a sprained ankle, angry, exhausted, disappointed by people, very pregnant, strung out on caffeine, covered in plaster dust, desperately praying for things not to fall apart, and very, very reliant on God’s grace which is “never without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). We don’t expect this situation to change much for the next 60-some years.