Four Churches One Mission

Today Crown Point Baptist Church hosted a "super picnic" with our three sister churches who use our building as a home for their congregations.

All Souls Anglican Church left the keys to their building a while back after changes with regard to gay priests became a breaking point for these faithful followers. First Baptist Church of India is a small and wonderful little church with a great pastor and lovely members. Finally, the Kachin Church from Burma is a steadily growing church. These people left their country without really knowing what lay ahead in the United States. Many of the children in the congregation are taking English language instruction from some of the Crown Point ladies. We absolutely love everyone we have met.

Personally, I think it would be amazing to have all four churches celebrating Easter together, having all four choirs singing, hand bells ringing and the pastors "team preaching" as a way to really rejoice in OUR LORD! (Hint-hint Pastor Steve)

Pastor Steve Thompson (Crown Point) and the wonderful Deacons and members of CPRC opened their hearts and the doors to the church when these three groups needed a home to worship. It is really a unique way to fellowship with four different groups having one common belief...that Jesus is our Lord and Savior! Each church has such a distinct personality, yet people from all four churches always blend seamlessly and have so much fun together making new friends.

Now that informal introductions have been made, lets get back to the picnic! All-American hot dogs and hamburgers provided the BBQ base for the picnic. Deviled eggs were on parade along with various cole slaws and nibblers and exotic Indian dishes--well, at least those of us not from India thought they were exotic. Cookies galore and other home baked treats weighed down the end of the table and that is always a good thing. I made another big pan of banana pudding, which was a hit again, whew! I'm taking my recipe to church tomorrow since I had a bunch of requests. ***The Recipe does have a special 'Cake Lady' ingredient that will not be available for purchase until later this fall***

Pastor Pradeep from First Baptist of India had his newborn little boy there for all the 'aunties' from the other churches to lavish their attention upon him. Between the four churches there really is a sense of being a part of God's family. It is AWESOME!

The Bug (Eleni) also came to the picnic since she loves "going to church" and seeing all the kids...and they love to see her. She had a little nibble of chicken and some baked bean sauce and decided she wanted to be out by the water slides with the kids. She went and got her little paws and belly wet in the puddles and then found a nice comfy home on a pretty teenager's lap. The youth seem to just love on her whenever she comes to church. She is one content little dog when she is at Crown Point and we are so thankful that everyone is as happy to see Eleni as she is to see them.

Unfortunately, Pastor Steve wasn't able to join everyone since he is deployed to a very dangerous part of the world for a few months. He is winning souls and ministering to the soldiers who protect our great country and we miss him terribly. With that said, that just means more banana pudding for everyone else, and people don't mind telling Pastor that he is missing out. It is a tough crowd at times...just like family.

Another great time shared with friends in Christ and we look forward to what little time we do have left with our Crown Point family.

Tomorrow, Rob preaches in Pastor Steve's absence. More to follow!

xoxo M