Kerygma Corner
by Lee Rutledge, Pastor
When God provided Paul the opportunity to present the Gospel to the intellectuals of Athens at Areopagus (Mars Hill), the faithful Apostle and missionary enlightened them with a timeless truth, “He [God] determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26). While I have always believed that God, in His divine providence, places us in specific communities, workplaces, and circumstances for His unique purposes, I have never truly appreciated this miracle of life until recently.
Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to the Crossroads family. Not only did we experience a washing-out of our homes and furnishings, but the destructive waters and resulting aftermath literally washed-away a significant portion of our workers and leaders. As Pastor, the journey since has been like walking through knee-deep mud, struggling with a few faithful co-laborers to get to dry ground … slowly pressing-on, one tireless step after another, and experiencing some moderate growth along the way.
Today, however, we are in a new season. While we’ve been struggling in the mud, God has been working His plans through Christians across the nation, preparing in advance the time set for them to make a life change … 2012 …, the exact place where they should live … Kenner, LA …, and the church in which they should serve … Crossroads Community Church! When God brought Dan and Libby to us from Virginia, I was overjoyed … when He brought Patrick and
Priscilla to us from Georgia a month later, I was ecstatic … but when he brought Don and Christie to us from Rhode Island a month after that, I was absolutly humbled by what God can do … “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). What can we anticipate for May? … and June? … and beyond?
This certainly is a new season … but it’s just the beginning. After the Apostle Paul told the Athenians about God’s providence, he continued, “God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him” (Acts 17:27). God doesn’t work supernaturally to impress us – He works supernaturally to bring people to Himself through the saving power of Jesus Christ! God isn’t sending us new workers to build a cathedral – He’s sending new workers to go into the harvest field of Kenner, LA, and make disciples!
God’s timing is perfect. As you know, we are rolling-out our new evangelism plan, Fishers of Men, this month. God is providing new, seasoned workers just when we need them! However, He’s not providing us replacement workers – but fellow servants of Christ to revive the team that’s been anticipating this day. Together, we will train, pray, and go into the community with the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ. I hope you are ready and willing to be a Fisher of Men. I have experienced many exciting times at Crossroads throughout my years of service here, but I have never felt as encouraged as your Pastor as I do right now.
Kerygma is a transliteration of the Greek word meaning “the act of preaching.”
