There are many ways that we as Christians can choose to relate to the communities in which we live. Conversations that we can have that display an array of attitudes we have towards our communities dominant culture. We can choose to assimilate and reflect the places in which we live while loosing our spiritual identity. We can also choose to despise and ignore the neighborhoods in which we reside by becoming so disengaged with the people in it that we emit a sense of superiority or hostility. However, last month several of the Brickell community groups came together and chose to love the city in ways that reveal the values of the kingdom of God.

Pastor Keith along with his wife, Amy, and about 20 Brickellites took the charge to serve Southside Elementary by painting and edging several classrooms and hallways, beautifying their butterfly garden, cleaning the grounds etc… The school being a museum magnet school draws from over 30 zip codes and has grown within the last year from 400 to 800 students. And with all of the cut backs from the county this year,  not having the financial means to cover day to day operations has been a challenge leaving many projects undone. Vice Principal Bravo says,

“We don’t even have the financial assistance to get extra tutors, extra readers or even to take the children on field trips that correspond with our magnet program”

Keith and the gang are continuing to develop a relationship with the school and continuing to serve the school in any way. They’ve displayed how God wants his people to conduct themselves in the city and culture in which they find themselves living.

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

(Jeremiah 29: 4-7)

With many establishments such as our local schools facing similar struggles and predicaments, I encourage all of Crossbridge to begin to think of ways of how you can serve the communities you live in.  Have conversations that engage and build relatedness and integration rather than separation and isolation. Seek the peace and prosperity of our city and begin creating the conditions where the symptoms of fragmentation and breakdown can be healed. Let us be marked by our generosity and love and incarnate the gospel in a manner worthy of God.

It is our desire at Crossbridge to have a large and strong operating diaconal force. We believe that God has called both men and women to serve the local church and flood our city with mercy and justice. If you know of anyone that you think would do well with this responsibility, make sure to nominate them. A section will be made available in your connection cards in our Sunday services throughout the month of February .

Also, Crossbridge has an elder opening and will be accepting nominations beginning this Feb. 19th and members will vote-in elders on Feb. 26th.

If you’re a college student and you’ve been hanging around Crossbridge lately then TASTE OF CROSSBRIDGE is for you! Come join Pastor Felipe for lunch this Sunday Feb. 5th, 2012 from 11:30-1:00pm @ our Pinecrest location in the Fellowship Hall immediately following our first service. He’ll take you through our journey, tell you where we’re headed and answer any questions you may have about the church. We’d love for you to join us! RSVP with Pastor Sam.

On Saturday, February 4th Crossbridge will be hosting a special evening filled with appetizers, desserts & dancing put together by our collegiate ministries. If you’re in your 20’s you’re more than welcomed to come from 7:00-11:00pm in our Fellowship Hall. Attire is semi-formal so invite your friends and for more info please contact Austin Satrom at austin.satrom@uscm.org

The ONEConference is a three-day event bringing together an exciting lineup of modern day church leaders and worship artists to unite, ignite and impact the local church to reach the city of Miami. Be a part of this event as the local church comes together at one location, with one purpose, under one name, Jesus Christ!

WHEN
February 10-12, 2012

LOCATION
Bank United Center at the University of Miami
1245 Dauer Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146

REGISTRATION
Registration ends February 9, 2012
*Please note only those of age 12 and over can register for the OneConference.

We will be serving with Danni Washington and her organization the Big Blue and You on Saturday March 10th from 11am-5pm at Virginia Key Beach Park (4020 Virginia Beach Drive  Key Biscayne, FL 33149-1000) It will be an awesome day oceanside with local artists hosting cool art projects with natural or recycled materials. Live music throughout the day. Bring family and friends (and bathing suits) for a fun day at the beach.

There are 20 spots available for the Co-Ed Softball Tournament. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th Street Miami, Florida 33155. The cost is $25 per person and it will benefit the Children’s Charitable Committees of the DCBA/YLS. Contact Pastor Keith at 305-321-5823 or email him at keith@crossbridgemiami.com for more info.

Every day at thousands of community centers, high schools, middle schools, juvenile institutions , coffee shops and local hangouts YFC meet with young people who need Jesus. Working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to prayer and the Word of God and passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement. For more information contact april@miamiyfc.com

Present need: Working with Kids
http://miami.yfc.net/get_involved/