	Last week, over 6,000 people participated in the ministries of this church. It is exciting to see lives being touched, blessed, and changed on this campus. But a few months ago, I began to sense we had to not only celebrate what happens on this campus and at our Community Center/Clinic, but look for ways God could use us to impact other areas of our city. So, I started praying a simple prayer, “God, if you want us to be in other places, show me where they are.” Departing from my usual approach, I did nothing, just waited. Those who know me will understand why that was a greater step of faith on my part! Praying along with “waiting” is not my strong suit.
After a few weeks, I sensed God saying to me, “Go where no one else wants to go.” At first, I was uncertain about what that might mean, but as I began to allow the idea to sink into my thinking, I discovered God opening doors in “unlikely places.” Let me explain. We have some outstanding congregations scattered across the landscape of our city. There are five churches within one mile of my home. Go another three miles, and you will find nearly ten more—within a five minute drive, I have over 15 churches to choose from. The same can be said for most of the growing and thriving areas of our town (North OKC, Edmond, Northeast OKC, South OKC, Downtown, Yukon, West OKC). When I first moved to OKC in 1981, I was stunned by the number of very large congregations I found in one city. From time to time, I have people ask me why Crossings does not have a service in a certain area of the city, and thus far, it has been due to the fact that there are already five or more congregations within a mile or two of that area who are doing an outstanding job of serving the community and advancing the message of Christ. I also feel it is not ethical to go into the back yard of another church. Back to my prayer ... God seemed to nudge me to be sensitive to areas of our city where others did not seem interested or able to go. And once He had my attention, things started happening. Four opportunities appeared on the radar screen within a matter of weeks. Two are going to happen, and two are not on the radar at this time. So, today, I announce the first exciting answer to my prayer.
On June 1, Crossings Community Church will be in Capitol Hill. It won’t look anything like CCC on Portland, and most noticeably it will be an entirely different culture and language. This will be a ministry to the Hispanic community. We are utilizing a team of Hispanic leaders to guide and shepherd this ministry. On Wednesday night, March 5, the folks at Capitol Hill Church of God held a prayer meeting. The focus of their prayers had to do with closing the church. The church once boasted an attendance of over 500 people each Sunday, but the neighborhood has dramatically changed over the years.
Their prayer that night? “Lord, show us what to do. Show us any options we have other than to close the church and sell the building.” On Thursday morning, March 6, having heard of their decision to close the church, but unaware of the prayer meeting, I called the interim pastor and asked if they might consider giving us the building, and allow us to pursue a ministry to the Hispanic community. He was ecstatic. Jeff Stewart and I attended their Sunday evening service on March 9, and I explained my prayer, as well as what I thought this journey might look like. After a few weeks of discussion and evaluation of all the details, the church voted to give the building to Crossings. On Sunday, June 22, we will bring the remaining 50 members of the Capitol Hill congregation to our 11 a.m. service as we celebrate their generosity and launch this exciting new venture. I believe this is just the beginning. And I truly believe God may very well lead us to other places where a church is needed. There is far more to this story than I can tell on this page, but you will be hearing some amazing things that will begin to take place at SW 31st and Harvey. I do not apologize for the tremendous gifts God has given us here at Crossings. Everything we are and everything we have is a gift from God, and we are using this church, this property, these buildings, and these ministries to touch thousands of people in this community seven days a week. But to whom much has been given, much is expected. I’m up for that. I pray you are, too. Read more about Crossings Comunidad Cristiana. Marty Grubbs Senior Pastor