After we left the emergency room we realized that we had not made arrangements to follow up with them. We shared what took place that evening with some friends and were told that they were homeless. There was no way to find out how Brenda was doing except to come to the next dinner sponsored by Crossroads.

The following month we did meet at the dinner and they shared with us that they were homeless. I’ll never forget as we sat at the table, they shared how difficult life for them is. How several nights before it had rained and all their belongs were ruined. Molly suggested that we all pray together. I can remember praying for a miracle for Brenda and Howard. After the prayer we asked what we could do to help them. On the way home that evening we decided that we would buy them a tent and sleeping bags. I called and met them at church circle the following evening with the tent. It was so exciting for me to see how appreciative Howard was when I gave him the tent.
We have been praying about how we can reach out to this couple. At Downtown Hope Church we are encouraged to meet with believers and non believers for lunch or dinner as an outreach to the community. Today we invited Brenda and Howard out for lunch. We all decided together at lunch that we are going to try to meet next Friday for dinner.

My purpose in writing this letter is to share with all of you at Crossroads, that yes you can make a difference in peoples lives. You are all a part of this story I have shared with you. You provide the opportunities to share our faith in Christ through your service to the community around the Stanton Center. Yes, we can make a difference. We can do together what we can’t do alone.Thank You, and we look forward to serving with you in the future.

Together In Christ,

Dave Basara

Crossroads is at a Crossroads. We are a three fold ministry - Small Communities, First Sundays, and the Large Gathering. The strength and health of Crossroads lies in the strength and health of our Small Communities - their leaders and members. As it stands now, the Large Gathering is intended to be the place where those leaders and members are further built up - but the reality is that the Gathering is not very effective at doing this. The Gathering is effective in creating a cool vibe and expression of corporate worship (which is good-and can be a good place to bring people), but by and large doesn’t effectively foster authentic relationships - and these relationships, I believe, are the key to really encouraging and equipping our leaders and groups to love Jesus more and change the world.

The leadership of Crossroads believes that God is leading us in this season to put the Large Gathering as it exists now on the bench. This will allow more time, focus, and energy to be expounded on our ministry leaders, which will have a greater impact on the communities they lead. Because the Gathering is not a church in itself, we feel comfortable asking everyone to participate either in the morning or at their home church for corporate worship.

So what does the young adult ministry look like now? Well, starting in October…First Sundays & Small Communities. There will however continue to be a corporate gathering of the Small Communities coming together on the last Sunday of the month. This gathering will be an expression of worship of the Small Communities coming together. Here is a recap…

First Sunday — a sweet time to bless our city –every First Sunday of the month…

3rd Sunday — Community Leaders Huddle (for Leaders and potential leaders)

Last Sunday — Worship Gathering with Communities

I realize that you might have questions or concerns with a change like this. And that is good. Post them up, and I’ll do my best to answer them for you.

Now is a great time to commit to being part of a Community - it is going to be a great ride for everyone who is up for the adventure!

We are fast approaching our 8th month serving the Clay Street community by serving and sharing a meal with them. As we continue to build relationships with folks downtown God will increasingly open our eyes to more and more of what He is up to in peoples lives. As we step out to bless people out of a grateful heart because of God’s great love for us, we get to be caught up in the adventure of pointing people to the point of life, to Jesus. These are the stories worth telling.

Your stories are worth telling. Not only will you inspire others to bless people, you also invite more of the community in to pray for you and the people you are meeting.

This is a call for all who have been sharing the experience of blessing others at First Sundays on Clay Street. Tell us about your First Sundays experience, and hear back from others about theirs. Whether you have been visiting new friends, having deep conversations, or just feeling downright awkward eating dinner with someone you have just met…bring it. Just be honest. These stories do not need to be clever, well written, or cute. Just share. Ok. Go.

Here is how: write up your story and email it to lauren_shirlen@bayareacc.org and we’ll post it right away.