It’s Dangerous To Go Alone -- Together #forSalem (Ep 29)
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One of the hardest aspects of our current reality is division and the isolation it creates. It’s difficult to allow others to really know who we are in such a polarized time. But there’s hope. There is a way, however, to not only fight division and isolation but to also allow God to grow our faith at the same time. Let’s rediscover the answer that has been in front of us all along.
Sometimes we see real needs around us that we feel powerless to do anything about. But what if God has shown us these needs in order to grow our faith and help others at the same time? Maybe it’s time we put our faith into action and realize that real faith is developed in the real world.
For many Jesus Followers faith often seems like it consists of sitting in a church service once a week and listening to someone talk about Jesus. But knowing about Jesus and having real faith that transforms our lives are two very different things. It’s time to turn knowledge into a real faith for a real world… like really. Let’s Be Real.
Faith. It often seems like a mysterious power that either you have or you don’t. But in reality, those with strong, mature faith are no different than the rest of us. They have simply learned this secret: the faith we possess is the direct result of the actions we choose to take. In this episode, we explore 3 specific actions we can choose to take to strengthen our faith today.
You asked and we did our best to answer. Whether you agree or disagree with Crosscreek’s stance on some heavy issues, this episode will give you a chance to better understand Crosscreek and hopefully your own beliefs at the same time.
Ken graduated from California State University in Long Beach in 1970 as a Physical Therapist. There he married his wife Diane. After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary in 1978, Ken’s first ministry was as Pastor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, CA. In 1985 he planted River Oak Grace Community Church in Oakdale, CA. In 2004, Ken earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA and transitioned to the ministry of Evangelism Explosion International with which he had volunteered since the early 1980’s. Through this ministry, Ken has had the privilege of equipping thousands of pastors and laymen all over the world who continue to share their faith and train others to do the same.
Ken and Diane moved to South Salem in 2016. They are thrilled to be supporting their youngest son and their friends on this grand adventure called Crosscreek. Sometimes, Ken and Diane feel 25 again.
Meet Aaron
Aaron was born and raised in Wisconsin. It wasn’t until his early twenties, after graduating from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, that he came to the Pacific Northwest. Landing a teaching job in Salem, he soon thereafter met his wife Monica. Aaron has received his Master’s in Teaching degree and has been a science teacher locally for over 20 years.
Aaron and his family recently moved to the south part of Salem to be nearer to Crosscreek & the neighborhoods surrounding, and he has loved “restoring” his mid-century modern home with vintage/thrift store finds. He also enjoys spending time with his two boys, dog, and wife in the outdoors. He has a passion for people connecting through small groups, walking/biking/running Minto Brown Park, baking pumpkin pies in the fall, stacking firewood, and playing his violin.
Meet Jon
Jon grew up the son of a church-planting evangelist. One of his earliest memories is telling people that he wanted to be a pastor like his Dad when he grew up. But it wasn’t until 2010 that he accepted God’s call on his life to be a youth/worship pastor and moved to Salem, Oregon. During these years of pastoring youth and leading the worship team, God developed in Jon a deep love for the city and Salem, and began planting seeds in his heart to design a church for people who don’t normally go to (or even like) church. Little did he know that church would be Crosscreek.
Jon lives in South Salem and loves Venti’s beer and cheese soup, but not as much as his wife, Elizabeth and his three children.
Meet Patrick
Patrick was born and raised in upstate New York. He has been moving west his whole life. He attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Cleveland, Oh after getting a degree in business then he moved to Steamboat Springs, Co. There he became a ski instructor. After 4 years he moved to Oregon and became a real estate broker, got married, and had 3 wonderful children. After moving to Oregon, God led him back to college to become a chiropractor. After serving his patients for 31 wonderful years, he retired.
Patrick and Janet moved to Turner nearly 2 years ago. They enjoy skiing, scuba diving, camping, and their grandchildren. The most important job he has in his retirement is serving Jesus in many different ways.
Meet Laurie
You’ll always catch her behind the scenes at Crosscreek, and her roles are widespread: director of snacks, hospitality director, elementary small group leader and bookkeeper.
Add to those roles, her 24/7 “job” as mom to 4 amazing kids and wife to one… Laurie is also an accountant at Cherry City Electric. She can often be found on a Sunday brewing coffee and helping with setup and tear down. In her free time, Laurie also works in her long-standing Etsy shop and walks around her favorite lake in Keizer. She and her husband John are some of the kindest, hardest working people you’ll meet… And they truly have hearts for hospitality, being welcoming to everyone, and always doing it for Jesus first and foremost.
Meet Luke
Luke grew up just 45 minutes from Salem. At the age of 13 he taught himself to play guitar and was soon leading worship for his youth group and chapel services at school until he left for college to pursue a degree in Religion. After marrying his wife, Gillian, in 2001 he joined the Army National Guard and a year later they returned home to Oregon. In 2003, Luke deployed to Kuwait, and Iraq with the first Army National Guard Unit from Oregon to deploy into combat since WWII. While deployed, Gillian moved them to McMinnville, where they eventually started their family and were active in music ministry at a local church. Luke has been a full-time soldier in the OR Nat’l Guard since 2006 and currently runs his favorite side hustle and creative passion, Agape Custom Shop.
Luke and his family moved to Silverton in 2013, and two and a half years later settled in South Salem. Music has always been a constant and a passion in the Summers family. With five children, loud music pumping through the house or silly songs at the dinner table are not uncommon. “My goal as Music Director is to help everyone that visits Crosscreek to discover who God is and what he’s done for us through songs that tell the story of God’s love for humanity and the people of Salem.”
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Meet Liz
Although Liz has lived most of her life in the Central Valley of CA, her true home easily became the PNW when she and Jon moved here in January of 2011.
Some of her favorite smells are pine trees and campfires. She loves keeping organized, being creative, and reading self-help books. Friends might describe her as reliable and caring, family would say she’s passionate and fiery. She devotes much of her time to Crosscreek Community Church but her full-time job is keeping alive her and Jon’s 3 tiny humans.
