Welcoming Our Newest Members

WE ARE ONE BODY, MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER

Paul says in Ephesians 4:25 that we are one body, yet “members one of another”. So, think of church membership not so much as “membership in a club” and more as an expression of commitment to the people around you. The Bible is full of “one anothers” - commands toward believers to act in godliness toward other people. What Scripture makes clear is that these “others” refer to a specific group of people and not all people generally. These others are the men and women identified in a particular local church. As members of Cross of Grace Santa Ana, we have the privilege of living out the Christian life with one another. We celebrate and grieve with one another. We build deep relationship with one another. We join arms to advance the joy of Jesus in a particular neighborhood with one another. We help one another pursue holiness. We remind one another of the sweetness of the Gospel.

In light of this, we praise God for the new members, Daniel & Deborah Lee and Truman & Katie Severson, we had the joy of introducing this last Sunday. As you celebrate this expression of God’s grace among us, read the encouraging testimony that Daniel & Deborah shared this Sunday:

For our family, attending Cross of Grace for the past few months has been a genuine blessing.

Debbie and I are originally from SoCal and we settled back down here last summer after a short stint up in NorCal for a few years.

During the pandemic, our last small church plant family in San Francisco unfortunately had to close their doors. For about 1 year, we were in a bit of a church limbo situation after we decided to settle back permanently in Orange County.

During that year, it became a clear and ongoing prayer request for us to find a church family that we could call home and commit to for the long haul, and our criteria was actually quite simple: in today's generation and culture, church authenticity was a key one for us. Through that lens, we asked the Lord for a local Bible teaching church that fears the Lord while also radiating grace, and one that has a heart for community and missions.

I really believe that Cross of Grace has been God’s answer to our prayers. The genuine community, warmth, and heart for the Gospel that we’ve seen and experienced over the past few months has been so palpable, not just from leadership but really from everybody that we’ve met.  Our family is really honored to become members and looking forward to serving and growing together with you all at Cross of Grace. 

We look forward to joining our new members in spreading the joy of Jesus in Downtown Santa Ana!