It begins at the cross

For seven years Pat and I ministered in Lansing MI at Calvary Assembly of God. Jonathan and Joanna were born in Sparrow Hospital there. We averaged dedicating a baby per month as young couples joined us in populating the earth!

The church grew both by the natural process and the influence of the charismatic movement. During our tenure a larger sanctuary was built to accommodate more people and expanding ministries. Our pulpit guest for the dedication was Reverend C. M. Ward, speaker on "Revivaltime," the international radio ministry of the Assemblies of God. We witnessed miraculous healings and many dramatically changed lives. Living in Lansing Michigan was a happy experience. Our memories from those years bring broad smiles to our faces every time we recall events and personalities.

One day is most memorable of the more than 2600 days we fulfilled our calling there. That day a young man, Mike, called asking for time to speak with him. Mike arrived and began with his explanation, "The church we have been attending has left the faith we hold essential to our spiritual life. We will join a congregation that will minister to us and where we can minister in full agreement with the pastoral leadership and church’s doctrine."

My first question was, "How did you find us?" Mike smiled and explained, "Your building has a lighted cross on the facade. When Maxine or I are going home on a dark or foggy night, we look for the cross. Our street is the first left turn after we see the cross." I didn’t feel the cross was particularly attractive. It was made of glass block set in the stone facade with dim florescent bulbs shining through the textured glass. But, that day I fell in love with that part of the building!

The appointment lasted more than an hour as Mike grilled me about the church’s history, specific doctrines and my personal relationship with the Lord. He and Maxine were newly married and were making plans to begin their family. Mike and Maxine joined with us and accepted every responsibility they could reasonably fulfill and contributed generously in ministry. I dedicated their children. The last news about Mike and Maxine is that they continue to thrive.

The story all began with the cross in the facade in our building’s face. The cross-shaped glass was symbolic, but the preaching of the cross of Christ is the power of God that saves. Some church properties are generic and might pass as warehouses or retail stores. Contemporary efforts to be relevant often strip symbols from public view. But, there is one cross on public display that became the catalyst for a wonderful series of events, a long-lasting relationship and many happy memories. The cross of Christ does that, magnified to the nth degree! Saint Paul wrote, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins . . . made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1,5) It starts at the cross! All other events pale in contrast with the day the cross comes into focus.