Most of us have grown accustomed to a certain type of Christmas story - one with frilly bows, pretty boxes, cookies and milk, and loved ones coming together to leave you feeling warm and cozy on the inside. Curt McCrummin’s story is different.
Read MoreAs the hard months turned into years, Heather remembers lying in bed admitting she was tired of feeling fragile. Her next thought was very clear; that like labor pains, she needed to lean into her pain because something new would be birthed. She was reminded that even as her heart and flesh fail, God’s purposes were bigger.
Read More“I remember feeling this was an impossible task. But God said it wasn’t. If we will give God our hands, he will give us what we need to do his work.”
I recently had the privilege to meet Faye. Faye has been a member of Church at the Cross for 44 years and has led a Life Group for 23 years, from age 50-73 called the Grace Class
Read MoreMike and Laurie Heath already had two children when their son, Kevin was born. Their son, Jason, was about six, and their daughter, Bethany, was about four. They thought they knew what to expect. However, a short time after Kevin’s birth, they got unexpected news.
Read MoreSEND Relief (part of North American Mission Board) has a significant presence on the island of Puerto Rico. CATC sent a nine-person team to be a part of the remarkable work that is happening there. Our team served alongside a NAMB supported Puerto Rican church as well as an adoption agency known as Adoptando en Puerto Rico.
Read MoreShe thought about how often she seeks to keep peace and avoid making presumptions. She felt the Holy Spirit telling her, “You are free. Buy a study Bible for your friend and give it to her.” As she tuned back into the sermon, she remembers JR asking, “Are we going to be obedient to what God has us to do? When the opinion of the one who matters most, matters most to you, then you’re unlocking your prison of everyone else’s approval.” She confessed to God, “Your approval matters most to me and what you asked me to do matters.” She felt the Lord responded with, “Yes, I want you to buy her the Bible, but it’s from me, not from you.”
Read More“It really wasn’t a decision we had to weigh. There was a need and we were able to meet it, so we offered,” said Gayle and Duane when asked what compelled them to open their homes. “It is our responsibility to care for our community and we are thrilled that God has blessed us with a home where we are easily able to do this. It’s certainly no five-star hotel, but it’s warm and filled with love and care for each other.”
Read MoreOur God is one of the intimate details. He uses his people to accomplish his care for the vulnerable, the weary, and the lost. Every step of the work had disruptions, but God was using these diversions to form relationships, to show people his love through his Church, and to carry out his plan. God is not far away. He is near to the brokenhearted. He may not be working in a way that seems obvious to you or to me, but he is working none the less, and his work is perfect.
Read MoreThrough this experience, God is exposing my self-centeredness. I can be so possessive of my time, schedule, and personal priorities. He is teaching me to consider someone else's needs first. God is conforming me to the fruit of the Spirit and teaching me the loving way of Jesus. Any inconveniences we have experienced are small in comparison to what God has shown us. We are serving him by loving his children, and we have greatly benefited from new, lifelong friendships.
Read MoreSlavery still exists today.
Human trafficking is a global slavery that starts by means of abuse, coercion, grooming, false promises, exploiting the vulnerable, and forcing them into a life of slavery usually through forced sex work or forced, unpaid labor. Those in the foster care system, minority populations, LGBTQ youth, refugees, and their children, homeless youth, and runaways are at the highest risk of being trafficked. Those who have suffered physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual abuse are also at the highest risk of being trafficked. These populations are all people, all a part of this world just like you and I, yet they remain unseen and unheard in day-to-day life.
Read MoreMiriam went on to share with us a little more about her husband. He had grown up in the neighborhood where they lived. Most of the people in the neighborhood were related to him in some form or fashion. Cousins, second cousins, uncles, aunts. He earned the nickname “Papo Fuerte.” Papo’s mother’s maiden name was “Fuerte.” But that is not solely how he got the nickname. Papo was a welder by trade. But basically, he could fix, or build anything he put his mind to. You name it, Papo had built it. He built the entire concrete house 30 years ago where they were living to this day. He built the water tank used to irrigate all their land. At one point Miriam told us the story of how he built a private elevator in someone’s personal home. Papo would also repair and build for everyone in the neighborhood. If anyone ever needed anything, he would not hesitate to build it for them and take care of his family. Family is everything in Puerto Rican culture, or at least on the surface it is. Fuerte means strong in Spanish, and Papo was the neighborhoods strength… was.
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