SARA: We’ll also host events and do outreach activities. Sometimes we’ll take hotdogs to the homeless downtown. We’ve also hosted an Easter egg hunt for people who wouldn’t necessarily come to a church service but would come to a fellowship like that.
ANNA: How are your kids included in The Crossings?
SARA: When we have our All Nations Gathering, they help me set up the kids room. Sometimes they help set up chairs and do different things like that.
JEFF: Their desire is to tell other people about Jesus as well. One of the things our daughter said right before we moved was “Okay. We’re going to tell the kids in Vancouver about Jesus and you’re going to tell their mommies and daddies about Jesus.” And we said “Exactly. That’s exactly what we’re going to do.” So they feel like they are a part of it. And that’s what we want, because we are coming as a family to tell people in Vancouver about Jesus.
A couple of days ago Ty said, “Dad, I got a chance to tell one of my friends about Jesus.”
ANNA: Have you noticed any changes in Vancouver since the Olympics?
JEFF: One thing that’s been noticeable since the Olympics is that 1,800 immigrants have started moving into the city every month. Because the Olympics showed off Vancouver and showed the world what a nice place Vancouver is to live people started coming to the city.
SARA: I think there’s also more of a community feel. I remember when the Canadians won the gold against the U.S. in hockey—the city erupted and people came out of their apartments and into the streets. Ever since then the city has had more of a community feel. The city has tried to keep that up by doing community-wide events like playing hockey games on the big screens along the city streets and they let everybody watch the games. I don’t think they did that before the Olympics.
ANNA: How can we pray for The Crossings?
SARA: One thing we consistently pray is that people here know Jesus is real, that they know He’s alive and active and that He’s doing mighty things. The second prayer is for our families and our children. The Bible talks about spiritual warfare and darkness, and there are dark places in this city. Just like where you are, there are people constantly being tempted to do things they’re not supposed to. Our team’s and our kids’ beliefs are being questioned a lot. We pray that our children and our team would see God in a real way every day.
JEFF: Pray for the lost. Pray for unity on our team. That God would continue to keep us together. Pray for the people in the city to realize they need Jesus. Also please pray that we would have favor and a good relationship with city leaders. Pray they would look at The Crossings and see that we’re doing a good job in their community. OM
Anna Im is in 4th grade and lives in Phoenix, Ariz. She likes reading, writing, all things horses and the great outdoors.
ACTION ITEM:
Watch the video “What is Church Planting?” with your kids at
onmission.com.
ON MISSION • Fall 2011 27
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