Paul CastelliLead where you’re gifted, serve where you’re needed.

Wow what a crazy week at Crosspoint. We got a call on Thursday that we would not have power or AC at Challenger and that we needed to move. The Crosspoint staff jumped into action like superheros. Within 3 hours they notified over 700 people of the move, organized a team of volunteers to meet at the school that afternoon and move essential equipment for Sunday, and let their teams know the plan for the weekend services.

And then Sunday came and it was awesome. God moved in our services, attitudes were high, people we pumped and our Sunday morning volunteers handled it like pros. I couldn’t be more proud.

So here is just a few highlights:

* 1 person accept Christ, Go God.

* 4 more people sign up for our 4th of July baptism.

* We had 8 first time guests families at a brand new location.

* All our volunteers showed up to serve and extras who weren’t scheduled even came early, talk about commitment. You guys ROCK!

I can’t wait to see what God does this Sunday as we wrap up the “Fired Up” series.

In God’s Hands

Pastor Paul

P.S. Don’t forget we are still at Explorer K8 for 1 more Sunday before we return to Challenger. So continue to pass the word.

I normally reflect on the past Sunday and all God did at Crosspoint Church. But I needed to reflect on all He did this May because it was unbelievable.

Here are just a few of the highlights…

* We had our largest regular attendance ever 577 on a Sunday Morning.
* 10 first time decisions for Christ.
* 18 people signed up for baptism.
* 40 first time guest families.
* 35 second time guest families.
* Gave away over $7000 to needy families.
* Largest monthly offering in the history of our church over $38,000.
* And we hired our first Crosspoint Kids Director.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in June!

Don’t miss this Sunday as we wrap up our “Promises” series, with God’s promise of protection. It is going to be life-changing. The feedback from this message series is blowing me away. So many people are really connecting with God and getting guidance and help for life.

I can’t wait to see you there this Sunday at 9:30am or 11am. Come ready to worship and experience God like never before.

In God’s Hands
Pastor Paul

Do not miss church this Sunday! What God is leading us to do this Sunday is something we have never done before. It is so big that if you miss it you may miss out on a blessing from God.

I know that sounds serious and it is. We are going to look at 2 Kings 4:1-7 and I believe God wants to come through on a promise for you. As a pastoral staff we have been studying these verses, praying and preparing for this Sunday for over a month. Get here early and get the kids checked into the children’s ministry and come ready for God to show up.

I mean it, do not, I repeat do not miss church this Sunday!

In God’s Hands
Pastor Paul

Wow what a week and what a weekend. This past week Erin and I went on vacation. We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary and it was a great time together and much needed break. We left Keegan at home with grandma and spent 7 days all by ourselves. Every couple needs to do this regularly. The busyness of life, the demands of family and everything in between will drain the life and passion out of your marriage. So make time to foster that precious gift.

Now while I was gone, Crosspoint was rocking. Pastor Wayne kicked off our brand new message series “Promises” It is about what God will be faithful to do that you can bank on. It was powerful. If you missed it check it out online at our website. Here a few other highlights and some big things coming:

* 1 person accepted Jesus Christ this Sunday, Go God!

* Our new Children’s director started, so pumped about what she is going to bring to our kids.

* 8 first time guest families.

* 4 second time guest families, i love it when they come back.

* You gave over $1000 to Crosspoint Church in Nashville to help with flood relief, way to go!

* Two moms won SPA packages for a day, we love moms at Crosspoint and want everyone to know it.

Now for the big NEWS…

Do not miss church this Sunday! What God is leading us to do this Sunday is something we have never done before. It is so big that if you miss it, you may miss out on a blessing from God.

I know that sounds serious and it is. We are going to look at 2 Kings 4:1-7 and I believe God wants to come through on a promise for you. As a pastoral staff we have been studying these verses, praying and preparing for this Sunday for over a month. Get here early and get the kids checked into the children’s ministry and come ready for God to show up.

I mean it, do not, I repeat do not miss church this Sunday!

In God’s Hands

Pastor Paul

Dear Church Family

We kicked off DRIVEN this past Sunday. A four week series looking at what drives people. We started by looking at people driven by pain. What an incredible message God had for us. If you missed you can listen online. If you heard it, here are some follow up thoughts.

I came across this video and it is powerful

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

And I also read these verses in 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 this morning that spoke to this…

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

God is up to something big in your life and through your pain. I pray you let Him show you the way.

In God’s Hands
Pastor Paul

Let’s Make an Impact this Christmas

Every year we have the privilege to celebrate Christmas. It is a time to be with family, to exchange gifts, to share a meal and prepare to usher in a new year.

But before we do that let me encourage you to do four things to make an impact this Christmas.

• Give a “Christmas Eve Invite Card (5:30pm and 7pm)” to everyone you purchase something from, office friends, neighbors, family members.
• Be apart of the Christmas Gift Wrap on Saturday Dec. 19. It’s a chance to serve our community and let then know the greatest gift this Christmas was free. Sign up in the lobby on Sunday.
• Take a few hours on Dec. 20 to serve dinner to needy families and homeless in Hernando County with Love your Neighbor. Sign up in the lobby on Sunday.
• Give generously to the Christmas Offering. This money will be used for church starts, a clean water for a village, Native American outreach, local outreach and our children’s ministry.

I read that line in an article this week from Buckhead Church here is the link. It got me thinking about that for our church and for me personally.

First, for our church…

At Crosspoint every  December we take up a special Christmas offering that is above and beyond our regular giving. This offering usually goes to help set up the new year with either funds for new intiatives, events or staffing needs so we can make a big impact. Last year we were able to get some very necessary equipment for expanding our worship space and adding another children’s room.

This year we feel led to use only a small portion for our children’s ministry and to use the other 80% to help set five other ministries national and international up for a big impact in 2010. We are going to build a well in Africa for a village, support a native American ministry to teens on the reservation in Washington state. We are helping a church start in Michigan, and supporting a new church in Ocala, FL. And here in hernando county we are helping out Love Your Neighbor an organization that feeds the needy, clothes the naked and ministers to the homeless in our community.

I am so excited to be able to help those ministries and to help them this December by giving to the Christmas Offering so they can be set up for maximum imp;act in January. For Erin and I, it is an opportunity for us to give our best gift to God this Christmas.

We also focus in very intentional on Christmas Eve. We have found that is one of the greatest days to invite friends, neighbors and family members to church. We make a huge push to connect and serve our community and then invite them to share in our Christmas Eve worship services. It is a chance to share the reason of Christmas with love, grace and compassion and to offer hope to all for a truly divine new life in the new year. Starting this week we are adding 100 more seats to each service and 200 more for our Christmas Eve services. We are making room for people.

So that is what we as a church a doing in December to to fuel a great January.

Secondly, for me personally…

Every January is a big deal for Crosspoint as we kick off a new year, new series, new small group semester and try to connect with people as they are longing for the new year to be better then the last. Because I need to me ready and energized to lead and serve in those areas, it is key that I finish December strong and end 2009 well and then rest.

The best way I have found to be ready for the new year is to make sure I did everything i was called to do this year. So i take sometime to look over my 2009 goals and see where do i need to step it up in order to hit them before years end. I also take some time to reflect on what we have done and how that turned out, it gives me perspective.

Lastly, I spend a few days resting. I need some time off. I can’t burn it at both ends and expect to have what it takes to get me through another year without a few days to recharge mentally, spiritually, emotionally and to focus on my family. I can accomplish a ton of stuff for the Kingdom of God, but I only have one wife and one daughter and they need me too. So, I end each year with a week with them. Resting, Playing, Enjoying what God blessed me with.

So that is is how I focus and work hard in December to fuel a great start in January.

Will you join me this December to set yourself  and Crosspoint up for the best year yet?

What and awesome Sunday at Crosspoint. I was sick as a dog, but there was no way I was going to miss out on what God was going to do today. We covered the 5th commandment “Honor your father and mother” Exodus 20:12. The lesson was right where our people are and exactly where God has been getting my attention. Check it out at www.crosspointlive.com if you missed it.

The volunteers did a great job serving, leading and creating life changing experiences for our guests. Here are few highlights…

*5 decisons for Christ! YES!!!

*6 people recommitting their life

*The Children’s ministry busting at the seems in 1st service 65 kids in 4 classes. We need more space and more servants!

*Over 500 people between the 2 services.

*The worsip team rocked!

*Giants beat the Redskins

I am wiped going to hit the hay.