Congratulations again on your baptism!
What a joyful day it was at Crossroads Church to witness your public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you—your obedience to Christ's command in Matthew 28:19 marks the beginning of a lifelong adventure with Him. As Romans 6:4 reminds us, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Welcome to the family!
To help you grow strong in your faith, here are four biblical next steps we encourage you to take right away. These are simple, Scripture-based practices that will root you deeply in Christ:
1 Daily Read God's Word Start with the Gospel of John (one chapter a day). As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." Download our free Bible app or grab a copy from the church resource table.
2 Pray Without Ceasing Spend 5-10 minutes each morning thanking God for your new life and asking for His guidance. Philippians 4:6 urges, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
3 Join a Small Group or Bible Study Connect with other believers for accountability and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together." If you are wanting more information about a small group simply reply to this message.
4 Share Your Faith Tell one friend or family member this week about what Jesus has done in your life. Mark 16:15 commands, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
As you step forward, we want to lovingly prepare you for something the Bible warns every believer may face: spiritual warfare. The enemy (Satan) does not want you to thrive in your new faith, and he may tempt you with doubt, distractions, or division (Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against... spiritual forces of evil"). This isn't meant to scare you, but to equip you—Jesus has already won the victory (Colossians 2:15)!
Here's how to stand firm:
• Put on the full armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-18): Pray it on—belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit (God's Word).
• Resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). When temptation hits, quote Scripture and reach out to a mentor from church.
• Stay connected to Jesus, the true vine (John 15:5), through worship and community. You're not alone—we're praying for you!
If you ever feel overwhelmed, reply to this email, call the church office at 532-1249, or talk to me after any service. We're in this together.
Let's keep walking with Jesus—your best days are ahead!
With a grateful heart,
Pastor Ronnie
Lead Pastor, Crossroads Church
Email: ronnie@crossroadschurch.faith
Phone: 407-6102