Welcoming Our Newest Members
READ EMILY’S TESTIMONY BELOW
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, Emily Jones and Christopher Mills, 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 Emily Jones shared with us:
As far back as I can remember, I've had a distinct calling and desire to do missions. Around the age of 10, the Lord pointed me to Spain. In 2020, while studying abroad in Spain, the Lord more directly gave me a heart for the young adults of that country who believe they have no purpose, and who waste their lives on earthly pleasures. Leaving Spain was incredibly hard for me as I just wanted to make more connections and get into the heart of missions. However, COVID came and my time was cut short. I look back on this now as a blessing because I may not have returned and finished college if I had stayed another 5 months.
When I graduated, I felt that I was not quite ready as I had much to learn about inner city missions and my Spanish was not at the level I desired. When Cross of Grace came up through a recommendation of a recommendation, Jesus sparked something in me, and I knew I wanted to meet you all. I visited in August of last year as many of you remember. I was instantly captivated and excited about your love and mission mindedness for your city. I loved the passion and intentionality of moving into Santa Ana and claiming it for Christ and the Church. I was in shock at the love and unity you all have for each other. Santa Ana also fulfilled the 3 desires for which I had been praying: jobs to pay towards my student loans, Spanish-speaking communities to allow me to speak Spanish more consistently, and the ability to be apart of mission work.
After I returned home in August, I kept going on and on about the love that is felt and shared here and how the community and unity found here is unmatched in my wide church experience. Within 2 days of returning to Ohio, I had decided to move here. Now that I'm here, and I've just moved to French Park, I am learning what inner city missions is like and am so grateful to walk through this learning journey with you all. I'm excited to be on the forefront of this mission and to learn, hands-on what it takes to build a church in the heart of a fast progressing city. This transition has definitely been hard, but all your kindness, support, friendship, and prayers has helped carry me through. I continually thank God for blessing me with this church family. Love you guys.
We look forward to joining our new members in spreading the joy of Jesus in Downtown Santa Ana!