Why do we exist?
To Love God, Love People on the journey to become REAL disciples of Christ.
HISTORY
Believing in God’s Word and Spirit
The Vision for CF was born in the heart of Pastor Jim as far back as 1975. He and Susie came to Kenya in 1977 with the desire to follow a church model they were part of in the US. However, the Lord took them south and then north or Mombasa and as far as South Nyanza.
But in 1997, the determination to begin a church in Nyali led Jim to invite Gary Smiddy to join him in this effort. This was a great move as Pastor Gary already had experience as a pastor in Nyali. Jim and Gary found a shop near “BP” and began on June 30, 2002 after a ‘practice service’ on June 23.
VISION & PURPOSE
Our Vision
“…To be a church planting church throughout Kenya”
Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). At Crossroads we are learning to live that full life and we want to share it with others. We hope that someday, every person living in Mombasa will experience the love of God and that the life of Christ will spread from us to the rest of the world.
Our Purpose
…To love God and love people on the journey to become real disciples of Jesus Christ.
We accomplish this purpose through our discipleship Class called “Follow”.
“Follow” is a book with 4 basic lessons that are all about how this journey looks like in real life in the context of our church. It’s been put together by our team of pastors at CF over a period of 15 years. What you’ll find in “Follow” is everything you need to become passionate about following Jesus!
VALUES
Molding believers, influencing the world
1. Communicating Truth
We grow deeper and spread further by learning and living out biblical truths
2. Celebrating Unity in Diversity
We love and accept all people all races, nationalities, and cultures
3. Challenge the Status Quo
We will take the risk to become better, bigger and broader
4. Connection to God and People
We live to worship God and build each other up through fellowship
5. Compelling Desires
We want to be a Voice of Hope, Known by Love, Living by Faith.
6. Change and Conformity
We seek life transformation through Jesus Christ
BELIEFS
Molding believers, influencing the world
Crossroads is a community of people who are learning who God is and how we can follow Jesus together. We are students of the Bible and as students we grow and mature over time. Therefore, we do not expect everyone in our community to think alike or to believe alike. In fact, we value diversity of thought and application. There are however a few fundamental truths that we all agree to embrace to protect our unity and direct our journey together.
What we believe about the Bible:
The Bible is inspired by God, error-free in the original manuscripts, and the supreme authority in life. (Psalm 19; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
What we believe about the nature of God:
There is but one living and true God, who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Though each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature, each functions differently. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
What we believe about the Father:
The first person of the Trinity orders all things according to his pleasure. He graciously involves himself in human affairs, answers prayer, and saves all who come to him through Christ. (Psalm. 139: 1-16; 1 Corinthians. 8:6; John 5:17)
What we believe about the Son:
Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Fully God and fully man, He surrendered nothing of His deity during his earthly life. His sinless life and his death satisfied the Father’s justice concerning sin. We believe in his bodily resurrection, physical ascension, and visible return to earth to establish his earthly kingdom. (John 1:1-2; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter. 1:3-5)
What we believe about the Holy Spirit:
The third person of the trinity invades the life of Christ followers the moment they surrender to God’s grace. The Spirit makes us aware of our sin. The Spirit teaches us to love God, empowers us to follow Jesus and enables us to love and serve others. (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13-14, Galatians 5:22-25)
What we believe about the nature of humanity:
Humans were created in God’s image to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His will. Because humans fell into sin through disobedience, all are spiritually dead apart from Jesus Christ. This deadening effect spreads to all, as each is born with a sinful nature. (Genesis 1:25-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12)
What we believe about salvation:
Christ’s death is the only sacrifice sufficient for sin. All who by faith embrace the death of Christ as their substitution are declared righteous on the basis of his sacrifice and receive both forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus’ resurrection proves that the Father has accepted the Son’s death in our place. Followers of Jesus are marked by the Holy Spirit at the moment of their salvation and are therefore God’s children forever. (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14)
What we believe about the Church:
All regenerated people belong to one invisible church: the body of Christ. Followers of Jesus associate themselves in visible, local churches to minister Christ’s grace to the world. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
What we believe about the future:
The next great historical event will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. He will return to redeem his creation fully and to judge unrighteousness finally and completely. Though the time of Christ’s return is and will remain a mystery known only to the Father, it is certain. (Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:6)
What we believe about human destiny:
We believe in the physical resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous: the righteous to eternal fellowship with God, the unrighteous to eternal punishment, and conscious separation from God. (Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:15, 22:3-5, 11)