Welcoming Our Newest Members
WE ARE ONE BODY, MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER
Church membership is not “membership in a club.” It’s “membership in a body.” As Paul says in Ephesians 4:25, we are one body, yet “members one of another” - vitally connected and working together for the good of the whole. In this way, becoming a church member is an expression of commitment to the people around you. A grace-empowered pledge to fulfill the “one anothers” of Scripture with a specific group. 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 - Chase & Anabel Early, Joctan Martinez, Jacob Zato, Jose Meza, and Lily Rodriguez - we had the joy of introducing this last Sunday. Be encouraged by what Chase Early, had to share with us during his new member testimony:
1 Timothy 1:15 - “It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among who I am foremost. Yet for this reason I was shown mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His patience as an example for those who are going to believe upon Him for eternal life.” The eternal lovingkindness of our Heavenly Father has faithfully led me closer to Jesus over the last 15 years since my conversion at San Diego Teen Challenge. God also used my wife, Anabel, to show me there is a church that’s a better fit for our family’s needs. Through the 9Marks church finder webpage, she found Cross of Grace. When I looked at the website, I observed the photos of the profound beauty of simply gathering in homes to worship God. I also read the Statement of Faith and believe the same biblical truths. I also believe that Reformed doctrine is the most biblical interpretation of scripture as it centers on the authority of God’s word, the power of the gospel of grace, and the purpose of mankind to worship and enjoy God forever. My Spirit-born desire is to be a church member where three things are consistently happening.
1. The pastors faithfully, passionately, patiently, and humbly teach God’s Holy Word with love for the Author and the hearer - all without apology.
2. The community of the redeemed is rich in faith, hope, love, and joy and expresses this toward one another by God’s grace through the simple means of studying, praying, worshiping, serving, and living together.
3. The church is evangelistic. Desiring to obey our Lord’s great commission to seek and save the lost and make disciples of all nations until the end of the age.
Since our first Sunday service, I felt so welcomed and blessed to see my family also welcomed with loving, open arms. In the spirit of Christ’s words to “Come!” Pastor Kyle invited my family to have dinner with his family within the first week of attending a Sunday service. From our first Friday small group where the hospitality and authentic kindness that Kyle, Kelsey, and the Houlton family showed, to the listening ears of Pastor Jeff and Christopher at the men’s group, to Pastor Jason and Kayleigh cooking my family a delicious meal and answering my questions for 2 and a half hours on a Sunday evening. Right away, I saw that this congregation was devoted and encouraged to truly live for Jesus without compromise. To be a people who worship God with joy, confess together, pray for one another, and receive God’s glorious mercy together. This is a reason to rejoice! I have also experienced God’s sweet grace through seeing my wife encouraged and loved by the godly women here Rosie, Marina, Liz, Katie, and Kelsey to name a few.
Lastly, I rejoice to see our sons Malachi and Josiah beginning to form Christ-centered relationships. They are blessed to see other godly men loving their wives, leading their families, and delighting in knowing God.
We thank God for adding new laborers to the harvest that’s before us. We’re excited for these new members to join us in spreading the joy of Jesus in Downtown Santa Ana!