"Become What You Are". This is a phrase that we have returned to here at the church over the years. We first used it about 10 years ago when we put together a long range plan for the church. Yeah, I know the old joke, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." Nonetheless, we did make plans, but, in the spirit of the Apostle James' words: "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (James 4;15). Recently, I have used this phrase of "become what you are" in the context of Adult Education on Sunday morning as we have looked at the doctrine of Union with Christ. In Christ, because we are righteous (2 Cor.5:21), we can, by His enablement choose to "not let sin reign in our mortal body" (Rom.6:12). In other words, our sanctification (the process of becoming more like Jesus) flows from observation and celebration of our justification. But, I digress!

Many of you know that last Sunday, March 20, 2011, at our quarterly meeting, the church voted to change our name from "First Evangelical Free Church" to . . .

CrossWay Community

An Evangelical Free Church

While we have no intention whatsoever to disassociate ourselves from the EFCA, we believe this new name will help us to "become what we are." While certainly, a new name is not a "magic bullet" that will instantly attract new people and cure all the ills of a church (!), we are excited about this change! I want to assure especially, those who are a bit reticent about this (not many of us thrive in changes!), that we are still the same church but different. What do I mean? Yes, we remain an EFCA church with all the benefits of networking, support, accountability and shared doctrine that an EFCA church enjoys. But like when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter, and Saul to Paul, while they were still the "same" people, God had new directions for them. So it is, God-willing, with us. We will grow and change (if we're not growing and changing, we're dying) on the solid foundation of who we already are. CrossWay Community, then, evokes a people of of sacrifice, of joy, of a Way of life centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We invite you to CrossWay Community, for a bit of the old, and a bit of the new. May God be honored as we labor with Him for the glory of His Son Jesus Christ!

P.S. In the upcoming months we'll keep you posted via this site as to any news, as this website will certainly change somewhat. Perhaps this website address will be "connected" to our new site, as those of you who still search for "First Evangelical Free Church" will be able to find us!