Part of our commitment as Christians seeking to be and to make disciples is to progress along the continuum of (in its simplest terms!) "GATHER, GROW, GO!"  Mission is about GOING! Going out in the neighborhood, the community, and the world. As Martin Luther King said, "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve!"

How can YOU be the change? Here are just a few ideas from a "celebrity" video pledging support to the president and offering commitments to be the change.

We are extremely active in ASP (Appalachian Service Project - youth/adult home repair trip each summer) as well as soup kitchens and other traditional service work. But did you know you don't have to go to Appalachia or Africa to find people who are hungry? With "Hungry in Montgomery," we want to raise awareness and give concrete support to feeding the hungry in our own county. Organizations like Manna Food in Rockville are seeking canned and other goods that we can collect all year long. Read about why we have hungry people in our county here: WHY HUNGRY IN MONTGOMERY?

In addition we've started our new "Drive-Thru Difference" effort. Every first Sunday of the month, instead of our typical program at a CrossRoads Worship Gathering, we instead line up tables and sandwich makings to fulfill a commitment to the Montgomery County Men's Shelter on Gude Drive, to make and deliver 200 sandwiches by Monday morning. You don't have to do anything except show up and make some great-tasting sandwiches for the hungry in our own community! How great is that! Bring a friend . . .  during hard economic times, the need is great, and you will feel wonderful about helping others. Send an email to admin@mcpcrossroads.com to help! What better way to teach your kids about compassion?

Finally, we're also collecting those mini-toiletries you are given at a hotel.... the men's shelters and even soldiers stationed abroad are looking for donations of those little tiny bottles, which we all have lying around at home. Bring 'em in!

Keep Christmas in your heart all year long!

1)  The movie AMAZING GRACE and companion study guide exploring biblical character traits for Christians to be "world changers" through sevice.  (Click image to the right.)

2) "Voices of the Faithful,"  a book, DVD, and study materials by Beth Moore for use by those going on mission trips or desiring to be more involved in serving globally and locally.

3) "Hands and Feet,"  the book by the band Audio Adrenaline about their global service experiences and how God used them in strange and wonderful ways.