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 - Jayce Prosinski & Ben Wold - we had the joy of introducing this last Sunday. Be encouraged by what Ben had to share with us during his new member testimony:
Just a little background: I moved to Santa Ana from Louisville, Kentucky about seven weeks ago. A major reason for my move is due to the influence of the Williams, which at this point, should really just be a full-time ministry for them.
Over the years, I’ve come out to visit them and, naturally, ended up visiting this church too. Through those visits, God started putting a desire in my heart to be here and to be with you all— and in His kindness, here I am.
In just the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen God’s grace through this church in so many ways. I wanted to share three specific things that stand out to me and make me excited to be a part of Cross of Grace.
The first is your love for God’s Word. A small example would be receiving daily Slack notifications of how the men in this church are setting aside time in the morning to spend time with God in His word.
The second is your love for each other. This church is a family.
The third and final thing is your love for this city. As I’ve spent time with some of you, I’ve heard stories of how you’re faithful to the gospel in your individual workplaces.
Thank you for how you’ve welcomed me. This already feels like home, and many of you already feel like family. You’ve welcomed me into your homes leading to night conversations, you’ve invited me on surfing trips and even road trips.
I’m excited this is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to get to know each of you better and serve alongside you as we do life together and further the gospel here in Santa Ana.
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!