Who we are
OUR MISSION - what we do
Crosswinds Church is a community of people helping people take their NEXT STEP with Jesus.
OUR VISION - who we aim to be
We will be a thriving, growing church in North Holland with doors and arms open to the diverse population around us—especially those who have no other circle of Christian support. People in the Holland area will know us as a safe, relevant and fun group of people with whom they can explore a relationship with God. We’ll rejoice with awe as God uses us to lead many people on the journey to new life through Jesus. We’ll gladly embrace these people as partners and include them in the heart of our Crosswinds community. We’ll be a community that celebrates life with God creatively, expressively and interactively. We’ll be a community that sincerely cares for each other in small group settings that fit people’s unique personalities and needs. We’ll also be a community that understands the world around us and contributes in ways that really matter.
OUR VALUES - what is vitally important to us
MISSION DRIVEN ~ Convinced that God loves everyone and longs for relationship with them, we pursue with passion every opportunity in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools...and beyond to show Jesus’ saving love.
(Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Jer. 20:9)
TRUTH FILLED ~ In our high-tech, media driven, live-for-the-moment culture, many voices constantly compete for our attention and our loyalty. God doesn’t necessarily speak in immediate and expedient messages, but invites us into a deep, rich exploration that settles us in His truth. His Word, the Bible, is our unrivaled guide. His Holy Spirit is our inner teacher. The saints of history are those who’ve shown us how to live well in God’s truth. We work at hearing Him above all the other noises.
(Psalm 19, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
CREATIVELY INSPIRED ~ God is always doing a new thing. The One who transforms lives is all about change. We open our awareness and our minds to discover refreshing ways that God’s timeless Spirit is moving among us.
(1 Cor. 9:19-23, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Cor. 5:17)
RELATIONSHIP FILLED ~ Small talk, fake smiles and pat answers take up life-space but leave us empty. We strive to know people in ways that result in caring, healing and growth-giving interactions. This means both anchoring ourselves in same-gender accountability friendships, and expanding ourselves by engagement with people who are different from ourselves.
(1 Peter 1:22, John 3:34-35)
PRAYER DIRECTED ~ God is in control of all things. By praying, we join our hearts with God’s heart and discern the direction of His Spirit.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, Phil. 4:6-7, Matthew 6:9-13)
AUTHENTICALLY PRESENTED ~ Although we are God’s beautiful saints, we do not hide the fact that we are all broken, sinful people who continue to disappoint each other and disappoint God—willfully or not. Only God’s undeserved love (grace) allows any of us to continue the journey of life with Him. With His help, we’re moving step-by-step through this journey:
1. striving to honestly describe the individual and whole-group struggles that set us back from full life with God,
2. confessing our wrong and experiencing His grace, then
3. reshaping our lives to take a next step that honors Him.
(Psalm 32 & Psalm 51)
INTERGENERATIONALLY CONNECTED ~ People of all ages have questions, insights and gifts that contribute to our common journey with Jesus. Some spiritual exploration is most fruitful when done in peer groups, but we especially try to blend multiple generations and family units in shared growth experiences. Early childhood development also provides a unique window of opportunity making us particularly attentive to the needs of children and youth.
(1 Tim. 4:12, 1 Tim. 5:1 & 2, Titus 2:1-8, Matt. 19:14, Deut. 6:4-9, Joel 2:28-29)
EXPERIENTIALLY LEARNING ~ A good way to know whether or not something works is to try it, so we strive to explore all aspects of life with God through first-hand personal or group experiences.
(Matt. 11:29, 1 Peter 2:21, James 2:17, Phil. 4:8-9)
JOYFULLY CONTAGIOUS ~ We know that the whole world belongs to God. Even though daily pressures and pains sap our energy, we have fun and communicate joy and hope because God is in control.
(Ps. 95:1, John 15:9-11, Acts 16:34, Rom. 15:13, Phil. 4:4)