About Crossing Church
Staff
About Our Name Change
Background
Redmond Foursquare Church
The legal name of City Center Church is Redmond Foursquare Church. The church was known by that name from it’s inception in September of 1928 until merging with the Juniper Chapel congregation pastored by Ken Johnson in the winter of 1981. The church then became known as Juniper Chapel. Under Pastor Steve McPherson (1997-2015) the church name was changed to City Center Church. Distinct seasons of the life of this church were marked by Redmond Foursquare Church, Juniper Chapel, City Center Church and now Crossing Church. Could it be that God is doing something fresh for a new season?
Why the name change?
God often changed names in scripture. He changed Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul, just to name a few. He also changed the name of places. Luz was changed to Bethel. Jebus became Jerusalem. There are many other examples. A name change usually signaled a significant and memorable event, or a new focus of identity. The change itself marked a new way God was dealing with a person or a place. It gave a new assignment from the Lord. At this moment in time, God is directing us to prayerfully consider a new name and new assignment.
What's in a name?
A name can do more than simply identify. It can also describe and inspire. ‘City Center Church’ identifies where we are located, but it fails to inspire. It fails to connect to the biblical story. There may have been a time when a location in the name was helpful for finding a church. With map technology and website information, those days are gone. An opportunity is being wasted when there is nothing more than a locationin our name. We can recapture that missed opportunity and draw people to a vision and a culture.
A new season; a new name.
Crossing Church
Bringing People Into Promise
A crossing is a place of decision, direction and change. It is where you go from one side to the other. It is leaving the past behind and moving into your future. We are located in the center of the city – in the centermost city – in Central Oregon. We are an intersection, a place of crossing. From here you can go anywhere. A crossing is a place of new possibilities.A crossing is a place of decision, direction and change. It is where you go from one side to the other. It is leaving the past behind and moving into your future. We are located in the center of the city – in the centermost city – in Central Oregon. We are an intersection, a place of crossing. From here you can go anywhere. A crossing is a place of new possibilities.
Scriptural Crossings
There are four significant crossings in the Bible. The crossings represent freedom, hope, purpose and spiritual power.
1. FREEDOM – The Red Sea (Freedom from the past)
When Moses led the people of Israel from the bondage of Egypt there was a great obstacle in their way. The Red Sea threatened to entrap God’s people. God miraculously parted the Red Sea and they ‘crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land’. (Heb. 11:29 RSV) They crossed over from slavery and bondage to freedom.
2. HOPE – The Jordan River (Hope for the future)
An unbelieving generation failed to enter into the Promise Land. They had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. That wandering ended with one crossing of the Jordan River. Those who crossed over inherited the promises of God. They lived in houses they didn’t build and ate from vineyards they didn’t plant, just asGod had promised. (Deuteronomy 6:10-11)
3. PURPOSE – The Sea of Galilee (Purpose in life)
In the gospels, Jesus often crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. The crossings often involved reaching people who were distant. The crossing allowed Him to do miracles, healthe sick, feed the multitudes, calm the storm and even walk on the water as He brought the gospel to others.He had to go to fulfill His purpose. The crossing is a place of supernatural power and ministry.
4. SPIRITUAL LIFE – The Cross of Jesus (Power for living)
The greatest crossing of all is at the place of the cross. At the cross of Jesus we are invited to cross from death to eternal life. Jesus came that we may have life, and life more abundantly. ‘Bringing people into promise’ is about two main things: people and promise. It means we travel together. We move from ‘what was’ and ‘what is’ into ‘what can be’. Obstacles are removed. Destinies are fulfilled. God is honored. Our calling as a church is to bring people into freedom from the past; bring them into a new hope full of possibilities for the future; bring them into a fulfillment of their unique purpose and gifting; and to bring them into the powerful spiritual life Jesus purchased through His death on the cross.
Each of these requires courageous steps of faith, stepping out at a place of crossing leaving the old behind and moving into the new.