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

Dear Crosspoint

I am so thankful for all you have done for me this past month. October was Pastor Appreciation month and I have been blown away by your outpouring of love. The cards, gifts, meals, baked goods and gift cards have been overwhelming. I just wanted to say thank you.

I honestly believe I have the greatest job in the world and I feel so honored to have the privilege of pastoring Crosspoint Church and ministering to the families of Hernando County. I love my church!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In God’s Hands

Pastor Paul

Hey Crosspoint Church, here are FIVE things I want to share with everyone today…

1. This past Sunday we had our 1100th person accept Christ since we started Crosspoint Church, Praise God! That is truly amazing, and not only that but then the number grew because in Crosspoint Kids that morning we had 7 children accept Christ and that night at Crosspoint Students we had 1 teenager accept Christ. So now there are at 1108 people in the Kingdom, in 6 years of ministry.  I am so thankful for all the volunteers, hard workers and the many sacrifices that have made this possible. Thank you Crosspoint, and most of all, thank you God, for allowing us the privilege to be apart of your life-changing work.

2. This past Sunday I taught on God’s Game Plan for your Faith, and it blew me away. God was speaking and revealing so much. In fact, there were a few extra things I wanted to share and expound on. We talked about faith and how we can grow it, it is the same way we build muscle, Eph. 4:12-16. So I got together with Pastor Pastor Wayne and we recorded a Sermon 2.0 We talked more about this truth and a few other things from Sunday. Click below and grow.

3. I cannot begin to explain how pumped I am for this upcoming Sunday’s message. It is the final message in the Game Plan series and you need to bring people.  We have the room and we have extra seats. Let’s pack the house, because God has some life-changing truth to lay down.

4. The next series starting in October is going to be off the charts. We had an awesome series on Bible planned, but over the last few weeks I have felt the Holy Spirit leading us to postpone that series and tackle some other stuff. I know when God speaks we need to obey, so we are obeying, and the messages are shaping up and you don’t want to miss it. Do whatever it takes to be here in October.

5. The Crosspoint Men’s Conference. Man Up. If you are a guy you need to be here. Seriously sign up, show up and bring every guy you know. This is going to rock and I promise God will rock your world. Cost is only $10 and you get another ticket to bring a friend. It is 9am-Noon on Saturday Oct 20. It is a guys only event, Men let’s step up and lead. You don’t need to be convinced to come, you have been called to come. I am praying that God would move in our lives and I know He answers pray. See you there.

Eleven years ago today our nation suffered a brutal terrorist attack. It was a day that started out like any other day but by mid-morning we would never be the same.

I always stop and pause to remember those who are gone, those who gave all to bring to justice the perpetrators and those left to pay our respects and live a life worthy of their sacrifices.

May we never forget.

Today we all gather around tables with family, friends and celebrate, remember, give thanks. As we do that I am so thankful to God for all the ways He has blessed me, my family and Crosspoint Church.

As you recall all the blessings of your life, never forget the best is yet to come.

One final thought, please take the time to read George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, it truly is inspiring:

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

George Washington

This month will go down in the short history of Crosspoint Church as a month to take note of. I have been replaying this month over and over in my head. All I keep coming back to is “Glory be to God!”

Here are some things to celebrate…

* We had over 550 people in attendance each Sunday the last 3 weeks of the month. That is a jump of 90 people in one week!

* We had 26 people accept Jesus Christ as their savior this month, that is 1 less then the last three months combined. Go God, that is awesome!!!

* This past Sunday we had people write down the names of over 600 people they are investing in, inviting and praying for to come to know Jesus as their Lord & Savior.

* We had 50, yes 50 first time guest families come this month,, that is more then the last two months combined.

* We had the highest monthly offering ever in the history of Crosspoint, over $41,000.  That is 25% higher then last August.

* We turned 4 years old as a church. I knew God could do it, it was me I doubted.

* We hired our first Student Ministry director and are planning our first event ans already have over 70 teenagers signed up. This is unbelievable. I love teenagers and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do.

Here are some things to be excited about…

* On Sept 12 were are kicking off our Land Campaign to raise $1 million to purchase up to 25 acres of land to build future facilities on. Yes I said  $1 million, i know that sounds like a lot of money (it is) but we have a 3 year plan to do it.

* We put together a great Capitol Campaign Leadership team to oversee this for the next three years. They are awesome, I am so excited for their gifts, abilities and most importantly their faith and heart.

* We are going to see God bring even more people to faith in Jesus then ever before in the history of our church.

* God is going to stretch all of us through this campaign, and is going to do things that only He can do, through the generous and obedient sacrifices of His people.

This is a new season for Crosspoint Church and for all of us it can seem like a little overwhelming. But for God it is exactly what he has planned for us at this time to be able to reach this community for Jesus.

To God be the glory! Let’s Seize the Day.

In God’s Hands

Pastor Paul

I heard about this song and video by listening to the radio today. The morning show host was relaying a letter they received from a listener in our area, who was touched by the message of the song and how it helped her through a tough pregancy. As she read the letter I quickly realized that it was a member of our church who had written it. So I decided to look up the song and find out the original story behind it.

What I found blew me away. It is a message of the grace of God poured out upon a young family. Get out your tissues and take 10 min to watch this video.

Before the Morning

God is still God and God is still good!

Two weeks ago I took this picture in Washington DC, at the Korean War Memorial. It is a simple inscription on a marble wall. But it is one of the most sobering reminders of the sacrifice required for freedom.

“Freedom is not Free”, someone had to pay the ultimate price so that we might be free. As Americans we have had the privilege of almost two centuries of no wars being fought on our own soil. But sometimes we forget because we are not surrounded by the horrors of war or the devastation that it brings. Because we can go about our daily lives unaffected while others thousands of miles away sacrifice themselves and trade all of their tomorrows for all of our tomorrows.

We forget the great sacrifice placed on the alter of freedom that allows us to gather on Monday with friends and family around the pool and cookout. I am not saying don’t enjoy yourself on Monday, but what I am saying is remember the price that was paid so you and I would be free on Monday.

Thank you to all the brave men and women who willing laid down their lives in service to our nation. I pray that we will honor you by not allowing your sacrifices to have been in vain.

And as you celebrate that freedom we have as Americans, know that ultimate freedom regardless of nationality is only found in Jesus Christ, who laid down his life so that all mankind could be free forever. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 Thank you Jesus.

Hey Crosspoint

Here is an update from Crosspoint Chruch in Nashville to let you know how it is going and what God is doing. It is awesome, take a few minutes to read it, also you can all the churches that have sent teams or send support.

I love it it when the church gets to be the church, Go God!

http://withoutwax.tv/2010/05/20/latest-flood-relief-update/

In God’s Hands

Pastor Paul

This morning I read a great blog on Pain. It was a great perspective check. Here is the link to Perry Noble’s blog and the repost.

Pain–Part Three April 8, 2010

My last thought for this week on the subject of pain…
#3 – Pain Can Be God Testing Us
Everyone LOVES to talk about the blessings of God…but there aren’t a lot of people that want to talk about the times of testing that He sends our way.
I caused quite a stir one time at a gathering when I said, “The size of the vision God will give me is directly related to the amount of pain and discomfort that I am willing to endure.”
It’s quite ironic to me that people who claim to follow JESUS believe that He will always lead us away from (and protect us from) pain when the very path that God had for Him led Him to be crucified.
Leaders…its quite simple…if you and I are going to accomplish anything significant for His Kingdom then we’ve GOT to learn to deal with pain…
Moses did…he dealt with being lonely, with feeling overwhelmed, with a “church split,” with his own brother and sister rebelling against him…and yet God used him to lead one of the greatest movements in the history of the world.
Paul did…he was beaten, stoned (the old fashioned kind!), shipwrecked, betrayed and eventually murdered…and yet God used him to lead the greatest church planting movement known to man…and we still read his writings today.
Jesus did…we ALL know what happened to Him, how jealous, self-righteous people had Him beaten and murdered, how everyone in His inner circle abandoned Him in His greatest time of need, how He was betrayed by one of His closest friends…and yet He stayed faithful to the Father and finished the work God had assigned for Him.
Enduring great pain will often lead to tremendous progress.
Unfortunately in today’s Christian world there are too many people who run from pain rather than enduring through it…
Three or four critics arise in a church and the pastor entertains leaving because it is the easy thing to do rather than picking up his staff and fighting the wolves.
God calls a dude to start a church…but he refuses to do so unless he has $250,000 in the bank, five full time staff members, an excellent location and the best sound system that money can buy.
A confrontation needs to take place…which will require a VERY uncomfortable conversation that may place a friendship on the ropes.  Rather than dealing with it a person chooses to avoid the potential of pain and merely pray that God will “get their attention.”
I could go on but I think we all get the point…the calling and anointing of God are very real…but they are given to us NOT so we can necessarily have the easiest life imaginable but rather than so we can KNOW that as WE DO WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW of DEATH that HE IS THE AUTHOR OF LIFE…that He is with us, will never leave us or forsake us…and HE who called us will finish what He started in us (Philippians 1:6).
Sure, we all think we can be considered trustworthy by God to handle any blessings He wants to throw our way…but are we trustworthy enough to handle the pain that may be associated with those blessings?
I’ll say it again…enduring pain will often lead to tremendous progress.  SO…for those who MAY be about to give up because the pain is SO intense…don’t give up on the God who has never given up on you…allow the pain to make you better, not bitter…and hold on because if He can trust you with pain then He can trust you with the provision He is about to bring your way!

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