Proof

Since the day we arrived back at Crossroads in 1999, we have attempted to use the draw of Easter weekend to reach as many as we can with the gospel. As I often remind our church, people will come to church on Easter when they won't come any other time of the year, so we pull out all the stops and attempt to monopolize on this golden opportunity. 

Ten years ago we did a production called "Proof." When deciding what to do with Easter this year, I suggested we revisit that idea and take it up a notch. Our media team ran with it and produced a short film that sets a new watermark for our church. It came with an extremely well-written screen play by Grant Robin and featured some remarkable local acting talent from the Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans market. The film follows the story of a young boy growing up in the shadow of an intellectual giant who frequently reminds him of his inferior cognizant capabilities - especially when it comes to the issue of faith.

The story-line goes back and forth between scenes of a young Alex, struggling with daddy issues that threaten to leave him embittered to the now grown Alex who has joined a debate team at his local university only to find himself challenged by familiar resistance to his faith in Christ. Through the classroom debates we are presented with historic evidence of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and the more significant proof of changed and transformed lives. The film segued into what we dubbed 'film strip testimonies' as one-by-one, members of Crossroads came out to present enlarged photos that represented their former lives before Christ and who they are today by the grace of God.

All of this, combined with incredible music and strong, fun-filled ministry for kids drew over 4,500 in attendance this year with a remarkable 80 decisions for Christ! Each Easter, our church distributes thousands of Easter Invites that help us attract the unchurched to our services so we can introduce them to God's love and grace. This kind of intentionality is PROOF that ours is a church with Kingdom priorities! I'm so thankful to pastor a group of people who want to see people reached with the gospel! 

My Cup Runneth Over

This past weekend was a mind-blowing experience. We were to start a new series for April called "Proof" that will lead into Easter. I was all ready with a great message - but it was not to be. After the first song my friends Devin Lantier and David Baudoin came walking out onto the stage. I thought, "What is this about?" I am not a control freak, but I'm used to being in control. Believe me - the rest of the day was out of control! In a good way.

This month we celebrate 20 years as the Lead Pastors here at Crossroads Church. For months, my staff, our board of directors and others have been secretly planning a special service in honor of our twenty year anniversary. (I'm sure there is some kind of ecclesiastical absolution for all the lying and deceiving they have engaged in to pull this off!) David began by pointing to the fact that the average stay of a pastor these days is three-and-a-half years. We have been so blessed to have this kind of tenure in one place. Devin pointed out that, in addition to the twenty years as Lead Pastor, we were here for eight years as the Youth Pastors - Can I say it again: WE ARE BLESSED! 

I've always believed that there are some things you will never experience in ministry without longevity! As the tribute videos began to play, I was reminded of so many of those things. The one that probably defines my point best was represented by a video of Emily Thibodeaux, who is now one of our missionaries in Kenya. Her video greeting from Africa segued into a video of me dedicating her as a baby. One-by-one the videos played - Ministry colleagues from around the country, staff that have served along side me through the years, members of my family, sons and daughters in ministry that are now serving around the world - It was heart warming and so extremely SURREAL. I know this sounds horrible but it was almost like attending your own funeral. We sat there (very much alive!) and got to hear people say things about us that people typically say at your memorial service. 

Many of the people who are responsible for where and who we are today participated in Sunday's tribute. Gary and Dee Sapp, who actually introduced us to the Pastors of Bethel Assembly of God (now Crossroads Church) way back in 1986 were there. Gary actually had me come up on stage and sing my infamous "Moon Pie" song. Pastor Denny Duron kicked off the video segments with some extremely kind words. Pastor Scott and Kara Holmes, leaders of the Louisiana Assemblies of God and our close friends for many years, were there and presented us with two gifts - one was a photo album that they found a few weeks ago at the old Claiborne Assembly of God church in West Monroe, filled with pictures from our first days of ministry  - the other was a beautiful leather bound journal, with it's blank pages waiting to be filled with descriptions of future adventures because, as so many pointed out - OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD OF US! 

At one point in the service, David stressed how we have always made the most of what God has given us - including the talent he has surrounded us with though the years. He mentioned how much I loved the music of Russ Taff and how I had my friend Tim Gautreaux sing every Russ Taff song in the book back in the day! As we were laughing at the memory,  the band strikes up the old classic song, "We Will Stand" and Tim comes walking out to sing! We were so elated and just when we thought, "It can't get any better!" Tim calls the real Russ Taff out on to the stage! JAW DROP MOMENT! For a kid preacher in the eighties - Russ was the equivalent of Bono and the Pope all wrapped up in one package and there he was Sunday, singing on our stage! The shark has officially been jumped! 

After service, our friends Troy and Melissa Bejeau had our family picked up in a limousine and brought to their restaurant where they had prepared an incredible meal for us. Another dear friend, Preston Broussard had a limo there for our guests. Needless to say, we are still processing all this. Being honored in this way is a very humbling experience that I can't seem to find the words for. Russ Taff told me over and over that day - "Jeff, I've been in church all my life and I've never seen love like this!" I guess that's a good way to describe it - I feel loved. Perhaps the best description is found in the 23rd Psalm - My cup runneth over!