CrossWinds
CrossWinds Launches Extension Sites
October/04/2019 12:02 PM
In 2019, CrossWinds began Extension Sites. What is an Extension Site? How is it different from another campus? Continue reading to find out.
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If You Have Sinned Like Peter, You Can Be Forgiven Like Peter
October/02/2019 09:31 AM
At CrossWinds, it is good for us to return to our study of the Gospel of Mark after a busy summer. As we studied Mark 8 and 9, we learned more about the apostle Peter. While he had the honor of being the first person in this gospel to recognize the identity of Jesus, he also miserably failed Jesus. He had the audacity to disagree with Jesus and try to steer Him away from his plan to die for us on the cross. Jesus strongly rebuked him for trying to turn him away from the reason he came. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was rebuked by God the Father for doing too much talking to Jesus instead of listening to Him. Later, as Jesus was betrayed, Peter vocally denied knowing Him three times even though he lived with Jesus for three years.
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Can We Sin Beyond Forgiveness And A Future?
September/20/2019 03:24 PM
Have you heard the true story of a man named Manasseh? His often-forgotten story is found in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 33 and 2 Kings 21. He was king over Judah from 696-642 BC.
He came from a good family. His father had done good for God’s people and ruled well. But Manasseh was the ultimate problem child. When his father died, Manasseh assumed the kingship at age 12. With Manasseh’s youth and unbridled power came unrestrained wickedness. As a young king, he set out to undo all the good his father had done. The Bible describes Manasseh as the most evil king to ever reign over God’s people. He was an absolute terror while in power. The Bible also tells us he has the distinction of being the longest reigning king in Jerusalem, 55 years. His reign was a long and dark period of terror in the history of God’s people.
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What Are The Dangers of Smartphone Distraction?
January/04/2019 10:05 AM
One of the most frequently used apps is Facebook. In 2014, 70 percent of Facebook users used the app on a daily basis. That is more than 1 billion people with the same compulsive routine. The average Facebook user spends fifty minutes a day using the app. This world-wide addiction to distraction is not without consequence. Behavioral scientists tell us the more addicted you are to your phone, the more prone you are to depression and anxiety. You also have less ability to concentrate at work and sleep at night. The danger of digital distraction is real.
Why is the distraction of our phone so popular? What are digital distractions doing to us? What can we do to stop them? Let’s find out. Read More...
Why Do We Celebrate The Birth Of A Baby?
November/18/2017 12:28 PM
As Christmas approaches, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He lived 2,000 years ago. He spent the first 30 years of his life working in obscurity as a carpenter for his father. He never traveled far from home. He never married or fathered children. He didn’t make a lot of money or write a book.
Why is the timeline of history divided in half based upon his birth? Why are more books written about him, more paintings painted of him and more songs sung to him than anyone else in the history? What makes the birth of Jesus special?
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Why is the timeline of history divided in half based upon his birth? Why are more books written about him, more paintings painted of him and more songs sung to him than anyone else in the history? What makes the birth of Jesus special?
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How Should A Christian Handle Wealth?
July/20/2017 09:39 AM
America is one of the wealthiest nations. As Christians, how should we handle our wealth? Should we give all of it away to the cause of the gospel? Should we feel guilty spending some of it on things we enjoy? In the closing verses of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes to the Christians in the ancient city of Ephesus giving them wisdom on how to handling wealth. Paul gives many lessons on wealth in these verses. I want to focus on just one.
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What Should We Do About Trump?
March/03/2017 11:48 AM
Every time we turn on the news, there is criticism of our president. There is a war between President Trump, the media and Hollywood. I don’t know what side of the battle you fall. I don’t know your opinion of our president. I do know what God calls those who love Jesus to do.
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What Is An Iron Man Group?
December/28/2016 02:46 PM
“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17
Purpose
To promote Christian growth and maturity by being accountable to other like-minded men in being faithful to daily Bible study, Scripture memorization and prayer.
Structure
Purpose
To promote Christian growth and maturity by being accountable to other like-minded men in being faithful to daily Bible study, Scripture memorization and prayer.
Structure
- 3-5 men agreeing to meet on a weekly basis.
- The textbook is the Bible; the Holy Spirit is the instructor.
- Simple Leadership - one man taking responsibility for the health of the group, assuring commitment to the “Iron Man Covenant.”
- Iron Man Groups (IMG) are composed of men at different levels of spiritual growth. Yet all men are accountable for the same purpose - continued spiritual growth.
- Each commits to memorize a portion of Scripture of the Holy Spirit’s leading; the portion of Scripture to be memorized is up to each man.
- The Scripture should be identified within 2 days after meeting so there is time to memorize and apply that Scripture.
- When meeting, men take turns quoting their Scripture word for word, then share insights that the memorization and meditation process has revealed.
- Accountability means:
- If no Scripture is memorized, men will attend regardless.
- You will inform your group if you cannot attend a meeting (no one should wonder where you are)
- Iron Men meet to share failure and victory, not criticize, condemn, or lecture.
- Confidentiality must be maintained; this is a closed group of men who will build tremendous trust with each other.
- All men will commit to the Iron Man Covenant
- Better fulfill our roles as Christian men
- Better fulfill our roles as godly husbands and fathers
- Understand the meaning and the need for responsible church membership
- Establish deep, effective relationships with other Christian men
- Grow the desire to make a lifelong commitment to small group accountability
- Start with as few as 2 men but target 3-5. Over 5 becomes difficult to limit the meeting to 1 hour and men can become “anonymous.”
- Seek to build the group with men demonstrating a range of spiritual growth; be about “disciple-making.”
- Understand and commit to the Iron Man Covenant
- Foundational Scripture - there is no right or wrong way to select Scripture since Iron Men are encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to direct them. However there is high value to use “Foundational Scripture” as a starter.
- Psalm 1:1-6
- Proverbs - read one chapter in Proverbs daily. You will read through the Proverbs in one month.
- Psalms - 5 Psalms per day will cover the Psalms in one month. A guide sheet will show how to rotate through a cross-section of the Psalms (example: Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121. Then Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122, etc)
- Gospel of John, I John
How Do I Let Go Of Grief?
October/25/2016 10:57 AM
One of my favorite books is “Unbroken”. It is the life-story of Louie Zamperini, the famous Olympic runner that served in World War II as a bombardier on a B-24 liberator. During the war, he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. He spent most of the war tortured as a POW. After the war, when he was given his freedom, he struggled to forgive his captors. He became an alcoholic tortured by dreams of revenge against everyone that hurt him.
Like Louie, each of us has deep wounds in our life that are hard to let go. For some of us, it was a spouse that betrayed us. Others of us experienced betrayal at work. Some of us were cheated out of money. It is hard to move beyond life’s craters. How can we move into the future? Here are a few words of advice.
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Like Louie, each of us has deep wounds in our life that are hard to let go. For some of us, it was a spouse that betrayed us. Others of us experienced betrayal at work. Some of us were cheated out of money. It is hard to move beyond life’s craters. How can we move into the future? Here are a few words of advice.
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CrossWinds Covenant Renewal -- Nehemiah 10:28-39 -- Fall 2015
August/31/2015 08:31 AM
1. We commit to only dating and marrying someone that loves Jesus.
We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. Nehemiah 10:30 (ESV)
2. We commit to faithfully keeping the day of worship and rest.
And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. Nehemiah 10:31 (ESV)
3. We commit to everybody doing a little something so my campus can operate.
We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:32–33 (ESV)
4. We commit to giving God what is first and best in our lives.
We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God;… Nehemiah 10:35–37 (ESV)
- Money — My offering check is written first.
- Serving — I plan on serving others at church first in my schedule and my vacations second, not the other way around.
- Worship — I will go to bed early on Saturday so I am not falling asleep on Sunday. I want to give my best to worship and study of God’s word.
- Bible Study - I will read my Bible as one of the first things in my day, not the last thing when I am exhausted.
5. We commit to financial faithfulness in our tithes and offering.
…and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor. And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse. For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:37–39 (ESV)
Willie DeBoer - Living Letter Video
March/24/2015 08:56 AM
Youth Pastor Candidate Stephen Albi Visits This Weekend, Sept. 12-14
September/09/2014 09:23 PM
Stephen, and his wife Ashley, visit CrossWinds Church this weekend, September 12-14. On Friday and Saturday, they will spend time with Spirit Lake Campus & Spencer Campus leadership, church members, and exploring both communities and schools. Read More...
Do I Believe A Gospel That Comes From McDonalds?
August/13/2014 11:07 PM
What is the most effective weapon of mass destruction? Historically it is not an atomic bomb or even a biological weapon. The most effective weapon of mass destruction is nothing more than a simple piece of paper… a counterfeit bill.
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Faith Church Changes to CrossWinds Church
January/19/2014 08:43 PM
On Sunday, January 19, Faith Church officially changed their name to CrossWinds Church. This new name allows the church to enjoy a unique name in our region.
CrossWinds now has two campuses.
I look forward to a new logo and a bright chapter in the life of the church.
CrossWinds now has two campuses.
- CrossWinds -- Spirit Lake Campus
- CrossWinds -- Spencer Campus
I look forward to a new logo and a bright chapter in the life of the church.
Would a Multi-campus Church Work in the Lakes Area?
July/26/2013 04:22 PM
According to www.catalystconference.com, each year an average of 3,500 to 4,000 churches close their doors.1 The church, as we know it, is quickly becoming a relic of American history rather than a centerpiece of its future. Thankfully, there are a few trends seeking to stem the tide. One is the sharp increase in American church planting. For the first time in many years, the number of new churches planted has slightly outpaced the number of those that closed their doors.2 Another trend that stems this tide is healthy churches are becoming multi-campus. They are becoming one church that meets in more than one location.
The number of churches that are multi-campus is on the rise with more than 1,500 churches already meeting this way.3 Experts predict that within the next five years that number will swell to 30,000.4 Multi-campus churches are even coming to rural America as larger churches try to reach into outlying rural communities.
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The number of churches that are multi-campus is on the rise with more than 1,500 churches already meeting this way.3 Experts predict that within the next five years that number will swell to 30,000.4 Multi-campus churches are even coming to rural America as larger churches try to reach into outlying rural communities.
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Pastor Jordan and Krystal Installation Service and All-U-Can-Eat Ribs
June/25/2013 07:19 PM
Meet Jordan Gowing - Candidate for the Spencer Campus
March/11/2013 04:26 PM
The congregation will meet them on Sunday March 24th. Pastor Kurt will introduce them in both worship services. The Faith University hour will be a time of Q&A with Jordan and Krystal sharing in the church worship center.
Jordan Gowing has two primary ministry goals --- faithfulness to Christ and fulfilling the Great Commission. “I desire to be a faithful and a good steward in all I do --- my personal walk with the Lord, with my family and in my ministry,” he said. “In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus gives us the mission of the church, to make disciples of all nations. In whatever way that God calls me, I want to make disciples.”
He sees the opportunity to help start a Faith Church campus in Spencer as a chance to help make disciples. “Leadership development is a crucial part of the church,” Gowing said. “Making disciples is important, but elsewhere we are called to make disciples who in turn will make disciples who --- you guessed it --- will make disciples. This is how the church will continue to faithfully grow.”
He believes in preaching straight from the Bible. “I preach text-driven, relevant sermons,” he said. “The most important thing about a sermon is for it to be faithful to the text. At the same time, the sermon is unhelpful if it isn’t brought into the context of the hearers. I prefer a more ‘contemporary’ preaching style.”
At 24, he is a young pastor that is looking for the chance to serve and lead. “I want to provide the congregation I serve with humble, servant leadership. In 1 Peter 5, Peter reminds pastors they are shepherds under Jesus. It is Jesus’ church, and it is a humbling responsibility to serve a part of his church.”
Jordan Gowing graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern College in Orange City in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in religion. He will graduate magna cum laude in May from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a master of divinity. He is currently interning at Faith Community Church in West Chicago, also having served there in various capacities throughout his seminary training. Gowing married his college sweetheart, Krystal, in 2011. You can find out more about Gowing on his blog: www.jordangowing.wordpress.com.
The Goodness of God - Congregational Book
March/10/2011 08:38 PM
In our Reasons to Believe your Bible series, I discovered we are a congregation of readers. We sold 200 copies of Dr. Tribelhorn's book, My Professor Says the Bible is a Myth. Learning from that, I hope to feature a key book to supplement future teaching series at the Resource Center.
For James - Part 1 - Trials and Temptations, we are featuring The Goodness of God by Randy Alcorn. This is an excellent and readable book dealing with the problem of suffering and pain to supplement what we are learning in the first portion of the book of James.. Alcorn avoids superficial or sentimental responses, and instead presses forward boldly to explore all the troubling doubts and questions that agitate within us when we confront suffering and evil. The issues are far from simple, the answers far from easy—but Alcorn shows how the way of suffering—a path that Jesus himself followed more than anyone else—can ultimately become a journey into wholeness and even logic-defying joy.
Product Detail
- Hardcover
- 128 pages
$8