Author: mission staff

These kids have endless amounts of energy!  I don’t really know where it all comes from! I’ve been extra tired this week after getting back from Honduras last week with Zak (also an intern).  I’ve been complaining a lot about being tired from my trip and I’m pretty sure some of the kids from the neighborhood have noticed.  I’m already aware of the fact that the younger kids watch me and look up to me so I hope I can set a better example for them and give them all my energy and focus next time we are together.

– Carly

Here’s some photos of the younger kids using some of that endless energy Carly speaks of to play twister!  Also, the kids were excited to put together self-portraits during craft time on Tuesday afternoon.  They can put them on their refrigerators at home or give them as a gift to their dads for Father’s Day!

The summer months add a level of excitement to our usual ministries at Cross & Crown as we welcome back many of the students from the neighborhood that are out of school for summer break.  The added number of students coupled with our normal volunteer base means that we must become a little more structured in the way that we approach each day.

Our volunteer hours & opportunities remain the same for Cross & Crown throughout the week each Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.  If you aren’t familiar with our volunteer opportunities all you have to do is show up between 10:00 – 10:20 on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and we will put you to work.  We need help organizing food, carrying boxes, sorting clothes, working as an “in-take counselor”, and praying with families, amongst other things.

Also, our youth center, Rock Island, continues to be available to the youth throughout the summer months.  Here’s a look at the schedule.

Monday: 1:30- 4:00 All ages lunch & hangout

Tuesday: 1:30 – 4:00 All ages lunch – Elementary crafts – High school Bible study

Wednesday: 1:30 – 4:00 All ages lunch & movie

If you would like more information about opportunities to serve at Cross & Crown or Rock Island shoot us an email at lwhitmire1@gmail.com

Here’s a small glimpse of Tuesday’s elementary craft day lead by Stacy, a faithful volunteer, and her 3 children.

The first time we met Alex we welcomed a child in a world of pain and confusion as just days before his mother passed away unexpectedly.  He was just 8 years old.  Alex has been in relationship with those of us at Cross & Crown over half of his lifetime.  He will turn 18 this month.  Since that time Alex has lived back and forth between family members in and out of state for a good portion of time but as of the last 3 years has established himself here in the neighborhood.

During this time Alex has attended youth activities and after school Bible studies at Rock Island, Sunday night worship services at Cross & Crown and helped us with every day, work related activities throughout his 10 year friendship with us.

Yesterday the staff & volunteers of Cross & Crown were given a wonderful opportunity to witness this young man put on Christ in baptism.  Here are a couple videos of he and Don as Don shares some scripture and tells a little bit of how their relationship has blossomed.

Yesterday friends & family from across the neighborhood & beyond came together to celebrate the college graduation of Elizabeth (Lizzy) Price.  We met Lizzy by way of Rock Island several years ago when Lizzy was just in 8th grade.  When we met Lizzy she was a dedicated student with personality to spare.  She was a loyal Rock Island attendee during our after school hangouts, Bible studies and even some grueling workout sessions.

Over the course of her high school career Lizzy built many strong relationships with staff and volunteers at Rock Island, as well as, at Cross & Crown.  These strong ties to individuals both inside and outside the walls of Cross & Crown lead way to an unprecedented opportunity for a Rock Island high school graduates: a scholarship endowment.

Lizzy graduated from Oklahoma State University this past weekend & will now pursue a career.  She hopes to work for the FBI someday and will begin this journey by pursuing an entry level position.  Lizzy has also shown an interest in working in an environment that involves helping others.

If you are curious about the college endowment, how it works or would like to ensure that it continues to be a possibility for future students please comment or email us at crossandcrownmission@gmail.com

The last few months during our Sunday evening meal and worship at Cross & Crown we have decided to focus on giving our younger kids an opportunity that we haven’t in years past.  Different community groups and house churches have prepared and served food, as well as, lead worship at Cross & Crown for quiet a while now.  The meals and worship are for all ages but what we have discovered is, like most churches, there wasn’t much for the younger children during our “formal” (anyone that has been understands how loosely we use this term) time of worship.

So, this time around we decided we would offer the younger kids (ages 4-5th grade) a special time.  During this time different youth groups, married couples, college students and others come together to teach the kids Biblical truths, tell stories, play games and create crafts that give the kids a better understanding of God’s love for them.  Each week a different group leads the youth during this designated time and each bring their own individualized style to the table.  It’s fun to see the many ways the kids connect with different styles of instruction and learning.

Here’s a quick look at last night’s time while Cale and his wife, Julie, teach the youth a new song. (Oh, and then they got to meet Cale & Julie’s new dog!)

Here’s a quick look at some of the kids in action last week during OKCPS Spring Break 2013. A common problem that occurs with many of the families during spring break is that although children are out of school for two weeks most parents aren’t able to take off work or make appropriate accommodations for their children because of work. So, during this time we like to be available throughout the week for several days so that kids are able to be in a safe place for several hours each day, play games and have a meal.

Here’s a look at the next two weeks at Cross & Crown and Rock Island.

Cross & Crown Schedule

First week of OKCPS Spring Break 

March 11 – 14 OPEN

Second week of OKCPS Spring Break

March 18 – 22 CLOSED

Rock Island Schedule

First week of OKCPS Spring Break:

Monday 11th – 1:00 – 3:30 All ages hangout & lunch

Tuesday 12th – 6:00 – 8:00 6th-12th grade Bible study

Wednesday 13th – 1:00 – 3:30 All ages hangout & lunch

Second week of OKCPS Spring Break:

Monday 18th – Tuesday 19th – Wednesday 20th

11:30 – 2:00 All ages lunch, games, hangout

Sunday 10th, 17th & 24th

6:00 – 7:30 Elementary ONLY Bible Class & Meal

This past week we were privileged to partner with Feed the Children and participants of LoveOKC to bless 400 families with much needed food and household items.

We were thrilled to have such a beautiful day to dispense the items to families and equally as thrilled to have such a great turnout of volunteers.  Thank you to all who gave of their time and effort.  We hope you will partner with us again in the future!

Here’s a look at the spring schedule for Rock Island youth center.  In parenthesis you will see descriptions of ways that you can be involved during that specific time period. If you are interested in helping with our students during any of the following times please contact Luke (lwhitmire1@gmail.com) for details and to answer any questions.

Monday:

2:30 – 5:00 Leadership Group/Bible Study Hangout

3:00 – 5:00 Elementary Bible Story/Craft @C&C (Help prepare snacks, supply/help with Bible story & crafts)

Tuesday:

6:00 – 8:00 MS/HS Bible Study & Meal (Provide a meal for 20-30 students)

Wednesday:

3:00 – 5:00 Elementary Hangout (Come meet our young kids, play games, help w/homework, help prepare snack)

1:30 – 5:00 MS/HS Hangout

Sunday:

6:00 – 7:30 Elementary Class & Meal (Lead a Bible story, help children w/crafts, teach Bible songs, ect.)

The new year has come and there is much to be thankful for here at Cross & Crown.  We are excited to be back with our family and friends from the neighborhood and to hear stories of time spent with estranged family members.  God is good.

Sunday evening worship and dinner have picked back up the last couple weeks and we will continue to meet until sometime around the start of the summer months.  Sunday February 3rd (Super Bowl Sunday as some would call it) we will flip-flop our meal and worship times so those in need of a place to watch the game will be able to do so.

So, February 3rd we will have worship at 6:00 followed by a meal and football watching around 6:45 or so.  If you are interested in joining us in worship, bringing a snack to share or just a place to watch the game and socialize we would love to have you.  Email or message if you have any questions.

See you then!