An Answered Prayer by Debbie Stawarz

I wanted to share a little about the chain of events that took place leading up to me being blessed with this truck. Last year in October, my friend & I started praying about me acquiring a truck and getting a lift on my chair installed. At that time, my physical therapist was trying to help my shoulder along so I could bypass on having surgery. Other people to pray also.

Then in February my doctor decided I needed shoulder surgery. I didn't want to do this as I feared losing some of my independence and needing much help from my friends. As the pain was getting to unbearable I had to take a leap of faith and go ahead with the surgery. I was told that I would probably be able to start lifting my chair back into my car again in 6 to 8 weeks. After the surgery I found out it was worse than anticipated. So now the recovery is taking longer than and not as smooth as we had planned. Then as I started to ask how long before I could lift my chair into my car they said 6 months maybe and possibly never again.

As we continued to pray and asked more people to pray about my situation, I knew that the Lord had a plan in this. One thing is I've always been independent and didn't like having to rely on others let alone ask for help. So during this time I've had to ask my friends, neighbors and strangers for help. If I needed to go somewhere during the day, I would try to find a neighbor and ask them if they could put my chair in the car. Then I would go to my destination and ask a stranger if they could help me get my chair out of the car. This was so out of my comfort zone but the Lord was helping to grow me through this situation. During this time, I knew the Lord had a plan and that I just needed to be faithful in trusting his plans and timing.

In July, my friend called me about an email and some info she had. I had no idea what she was talking about until the next day. I then learned about the email she sent to The Crossing regarding the Car Giveaway that is a part of the 20th Birthday Celebration. So if it hadn't been for my friend and the Lord speaking through her heart, I would never have applied. So now this is another opportunity to share with people how the Lord works in our lives at His pace and time when we are faithful and obedient to Him. Also that PRAYER WORKS. Through this I've also grown in my faith and have been given the opportunity to call on the Lord daily and be able to know He is at my side during this all.

So I thank the Lord, The Crossing and all who are involved for Blessing my life and giving me my independence back. I also thank the Lord for helping me grow in an area that had such a stronghold on y life and giving me a change in heart.

Sincerely with Christ's love,

Debra Stawarz

September 11th by Tim Celek

Have you ever said, “My how time seems to fly by!” or “Where did all the years go?” Looking in the mirror this morning, Thursday, September 11th, these were my exact sentiments. Now a days, September 11th is remembered for “tragic” reasons, but for me, September 11th also holds “positive” memories. It was Sunday, September 11, 1988 that Sue and I launched The Crossing.

A TON has changed in the last 20 years! I don’t have much hair, and what I do have is gray, which is a good reason to keep it shaved. I used to wear glasses, now I have contacts. My kids are grown. They’re no longer the 1 & 3 yr. old little girls who used to love to spin and twirl in their skirts.

However, here’s what hasn’t changed…

• I continue to believe that God called me to do what I get to do and I cannot believe I have this awesome priviledge.

• I continue to believe we live in a world that desperately needs the forgiveness, hope and love that ONLY comes through Jesus.

• I continue to believe that the church is the only hope for this world and it’s the only institution in our world that provides LASTING impact.

• I continue to believe that our best days as a church are AHEAD of us.

It’s staggering what’s happened in the last 20 years! I’ve seen thousands of people commit to saying YES to Jesus. I’ve seen first hand how people have experienced physical, relational and spiritual healing as a result of the power of God.

What will the next 20 years be like? Based on my 20 years of experience, I am pretty sure God has a TON of surprises for me and for you, surprises that will take us beyond our wildest imaginations!

As we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary, let me say, DO NOT MISS this weekend! We’ve got some pretty awesome stuff planned, something we have NEVER done before! You do not want to miss out!!!

Already, through this weekend we will have given away 4 cars! You can read more about it on this blog.

I want to remind you, next weekend, September 20 & 21, we are moving our church services to Estancia High School. So NO services on our Newport Blvd. campus, we are doing an EXTREME makeover at Estancia from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Everyone at The Crossing is participating. You can get directions by clicking this link:

Directions to Estancia High School: Click Here

20 years is a long time. God has been VERY GOOD to our church! See you this weekend, remember, you do not want to miss out!!! Don’t say I didn’t tell you so…

Cash for Causes by Brian Anderson

With Cash for Causes, our goal is simple: get in touch with the heart of God for our community; to see people as He sees them, and do something tangible to help. In order to accomplish this, every household attending The Crossing one weekend in September will receive a packet of information, and a particular denomination of currency. With this packet and the enclosed money, each person will be challenged to contribute toward a local cause and creatively multiply the money in order to support that cause. Our step of faith is to believe that the money we distribute that weekend will multiply at least ten-fold during the month of September. We are trusting God to move in miraculous ways through you!

For more information on Cash for Causes email: cashforcauses@thecrossing.com

First Car Givaway

Well it's hard to beat hearing directly from people who's lives have been impacted throughout the 20 year history of The Crossing, but this one takes the cake! Our first car giveaway was given to the Jacinto family, and believe me it was incredible. Below is a letter written by Jay Jacinto:

I just wanted to personally send a message to you and everyone involved with the “20 Cars In 20 Days” ministry to say “THANK YOU!” a million times over. It is still a surreal reality we are living in, even AFTER 24 hours. We both keep looking out the front room window into the carport, thinking to ourselves, “It is STILL there!”

The amount of love that has been poured out upon my family is just overwhelming. Since receiving the car, we have spoken to many family and friends, explaining how the Lord has blessed us, and how this has solidified even more our faith and trust in the Lord, and what HE is ABLE to do.

I do not think the amount of smiles and hugs given the other day can express enough gratitude and praise for what has happened. Albeit, the ultimate praise and thanks is given to our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus, however, thanks and praise must be given to those who are working within this ministry . I know, without a shadow of a doubt, the other vehicles set aside are for other families whom the Lord has “hand-picked” as the recipients, and that the cars will be a great blessing in their lives, as it has been in ours.

I know I am on the “receiving” end of this blessing for this ministry, but, if you could, please provide me an update on when the other vehicles have been awarded, and to whom they have been awarded to (so to add them on my prayer list).

I pray this ministry continues to impact the lives of those involved just as much as those who will be receiving these vehicles, now and in the future.

Have a blessed holiday weekend, and I hope to hear from you soon!


In Christ’s Name,

Jay Jacinto

A Special Month at The Crossing by Tim Celek

My kids are grown, not gone, just grown! Yet, I remember this “Back to School” time of the year well, particularly the elementary years. My kiddos would carefully plan out their first day’s wardrobe. Their hair would be meticulously combed then braided and a ribbon would be placed in just the right spot.

Then with great anticipation we’d ALL climb into the car and off to school we’d go. The school parking lot was PACKED, unlike any other time of the year!

Upon arrival, you’d see Moms and Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas gathered; some with cameras and others with video cameras, carefully recording the auspicious occasion of the beginning of another school year. The first day of school is definitely one of those days where everyone from teachers to administrators to parents to children, seem to LOOK FORWARD to this DAY with great anticipation.

Well, I must say, I am LOOKING FORWARD to this ENTIRE fall season at The Crossing, particularly the month of September. I want to encourage you, DO NOT MISS one weekend this month. The Crossing is going to celebrate being 20 years old. However, it will be in Crossing-style, meaning it won’t be just about us, it will be about OTHERS!

As of this date we’ve had 13 cars donated! Throughout the month of September, we’re GIVING away these cars to people who have a very specific need for transportation. Yeah God! You’ll see and hear more on the weekends in September!

Over $200,000 of impact will specifically take place in the Coastal Community area through the month of September. You’ll see and hear more on the weekends in September!

An EXTREME makeover will be taking place on a High School campus in Costa Mesa. We ALL get to participate as we "DO" church on Sunday, September 21 on the campus of Estancia High School. NO CHURCH services that weekend on The Crossing campus. We’re going to have church by being the church.

To sum it all up, I AM LOOKING FORWARD to the month of September. We get to make the name of Jesus famous in our world, in our community!

I look forward to seeing you THIS WEEKEND,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor of The Crossing

P.S. Jot it down now, the weekend of September 20 & 21, we will NOT have services on the campus of The Crossing. Church will be held at Estancia High School in Costa Mesa.

It's Coming!!

The Crossing's 20th anniversary promo By Chris Detken
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