I See A Church...
Gee Sprague, Lead Pastor

I see a church where I believe the following to be the heart of God for His people and desire CRC to be a place:

Where people come to the realization of our sin and our need for a Savior.

Romans 3:20-28 (NIV) 
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. {25} God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- {26} he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. {27} Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. {28} For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Where we confess with our mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and through that confession know we will be saved.

Romans 10:8-9 (NIV) 
{8} But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Where people come into the knowledge that the walk of faith is about a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and understand that the relationship is not just for a select few but for all who confess Him. 

Romans 10:10-13 (NIV) 
{10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

Where people persevere through the hard stuff of life—- through illness, death of loved ones and the routine disappointments, trials and testing of life—- financial, emotional, relational, marital—- being victorious because we believe in God's promises and live our life by them, knowing that it is the testing of our faith that develops perseverance, and that perseverance must finish its work in order for us to be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-3 (NIV) 
{2} Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Where people focus on the people God is bringing into His Kingdom and transforming through this ministry, even if it means sacrificing personal preferences.

(Romans 5:5 NIV) 
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Where people realize that missions are important and how great a part each of us plays in that through CRC's commitment to tithe the tithe and that this pleases our Lord.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV) 
{19} Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Where people experience the living presence of our Lord through worship and prayer and sharing life together.

Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV) 
{42} They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. {43} Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. {44} All who believed were together and had all things in common; {45} they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. {46} Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, {47} praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Where people understand that the battle rages on, and we need each other's encouragement, support and prayer to stay strong in the battle.

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) 
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Revelation 2:10 (NRSV) 
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Where people know that no matter what we see, think, feel or experience now, the truth is that we know our redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth, and we will see Him with our own eyes, and our heart yearns within us for that day

Job 19:25-27 (NRSV) 
{25} For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; {26} and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, {27} whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

1 John 3:2-3 (NRSV) 
{2} Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. {3} And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Romans 8:22-28 (NIV) 
{22} We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. {23} Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. {24} For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? {25} But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. {26} In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. {27} And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. {28} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I See A Church...