CrossPoint Newsletter

Twenty Sixth Edition 6/2/2025

Camp! What comes to mind when you think about “camp"? Some people’s minds go directly towards camping. You know, out in the woods? 

My Dad took my brother and I camping when we were kids, and I remember waking up to morning breakfast over the campfire with spam and eggs. Camping seemed pretty simple back then. A small tent. A cast-iron pan you cooked everything on. A small tent with next to nothing for back support. Nowadays, people invest loads and loads of time and money into camping. Generators to power electronics, tents that can withstand torrential downpours, sleeping pads, camping stoves, etc. Such a huge investment for a bad night of sleep, huh?

You may think of spam or tents or sleepless nights when you see the word “camp”. But there is a generation of young Jesus followers in our church that associates the word “camp” with life transformation. However, they add the words “Super Summer’’ right in front of it. 

Let me tell you a little bit about Super Summer Camp. Our young people take a week out of their summer to get away from distractions (No phones! Parents, can I get an Amen?), play games, get poured into by leaders, go down zip lines, get blobbed, do morning devotionals, hear testimonies, worship through song, hear gospel messages; ultimately they get saturated with the love of Jesus while having the time of their life.

As I head into my seventh year of Super Summer Camp, I can tell you firsthand that Jesus. Changes. Lives. At. Camp. 

• I’ve watched students give their lives to Jesus for the first time. 
• I’ve had conversations with young people about the call to ministry they just received during a service. 
• I’ve sat with students who made some poor choices and just need to be reminded of the love of God through Christ. 

Super Summer Camp is one of my favorite parts of the year, and the beautiful thing is, it’s not just for pastors or ministry leaders. There’s an investment readily available for you to make. 

• Whether it’s investing time to attend camp as a sponsor to pour into young people. 
• Whether it’s praying for the many sponsors and students attending. 
• Or it’s financially supporting one of the many students who attend through a scholarship.

Matthew 6:19-20, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

An investment in Super Summer Camp is a treasure laid up in heaven.

Whether you’re giving your time, your resources, or your prayers, know that your investment in Super Summer Camp is eternal. You’re helping the next generation build their life upon Jesus.

Miles Koch

Grow Groups and Students Pastor

Jesus has been growing the Students ministry at CrossPoint Ellsworth! We began CrossPoint Students this fall with the hope of five or six students engaging consistently. However, Jesus blessed us with 25 different students and an average of 20 a night. We spent time eating, hanging out, and learning to seek Jesus through His word. In the Fall semester, we discussed Hebrews 11, “Faith is…” by exploring the stories of each of the people in this passage. Over the Spring semester, the students learned to use the Reading It Right Bible Study Method to create a guided discussion about a passage and how it changes their lives. Students were encouraged to follow CrossPoint’s Reading Plan as we used the chapter of the day for our discussion. It has been such a blessing to see students draw near to Jesus and be willing to pray for one another. We also had an amazing adult volunteer step up to organize everything, including a full meal each week, and keeping parents updated. Our church blesses the students with amazing meals each week, from spaghetti to grilled fajitas with all the fixings. As we were meeting in a temporary location, lots of hands helped to set up and tear down each week. A third of these students help in CP Kids, nursery, sound, setup, and the Worship Team on Sunday mornings as well. It has been an amazing year of seeing Jesus at work!

Join us in prayer:

• That we would reach those in Ellsworth and the surrounding communities with the Good News of Jesus.
• For wisdom and opportunity as we desire to find a permanent location.
• That Jesus would strengthen those who have been faithfully serving in the church. 

Lane Mills

Location Pastor

I’ve spent the last few weeks combing through old photos of my children. As I stand on the precipice of sending my youngest off to college and walking my oldest down the aisle, life is a bit surreal. Nothing really prepared me for these enormous life changes, and no matter how many times people told me they come quickly, it has come way sooner than I ever imagined. 

Looking back at these moments captured in still frames, I naturally think of all the great times I’ve had with my kids over the years, and yet I can’t help but think about all the things I haven’t taught them. Perfection and comparison tend to creep in as I look at other godly dads who are “doing it better than me.” When these messages from the enemy begin to flood my mind, I run to the scriptures,

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, 
the fruit of the womb a reward. 
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior 
are the children of one’s youth. 
Blessed is the man 
who fills his quiver with them! 
He shall not be put to shame 
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. — Psalm 127:3–5.

Dad, did you catch the way the scriptures describe you? You are a warrior, and your children are the weapons of your warfare. As warriors, we are not in competition with one another. We are not all aiming for the same target. We are casting a wide swath, attacking every arena to inflict the most damage on the enemy's schemes. We are protecting each other’s backs and blind spots. So, every day, we sharpen our arrows and prepare them to be launched into the world to push back the darkness and prepare the way for the next generation of warriors. When we are faithful to take our place as men of God, we shall not be put to shame.

Dad, despite what the enemy might whisper to you, you’re doing great! If you’re a dad with kids still at home, keep sharpening, keep knocking off the rough edges. If you’re a dad with kids whom you have launched into the battle, it’s not over. Remain faithful as a fellow warrior and as an example to those who are warring beside you. Maybe you’re a dad with kids who have strayed from the Lord; keep investing, keep inviting. 

Now, let me speak to you as the arrow. I may not have enjoyed the sharpening process, but I am thankful for a dad who put in the effort. So, how can we honor their perseverance?

• Spend quality time with him.
• Pray for him, and do it publicly.
• Live out what he taught you.
• Find a way to serve him.
• Ask him for his advice.

Heavenly Father, we thank You today for the ways You have demonstrated Your fatherly love to us. We pray for every dad who is reading this article. We pray that Your righteous wisdom would flood their heart and mind as they raise the heritage that You have given them. May their children grow up to know, love, and serve You all the days of their lives. Thank You for those men You have used to sharpen us and make us useful in the kingdom. Bless them with a legacy that lives well beyond their life. I weep for those who currently do not have or grew up without a dad in the home. Father, bring godly men into their lives who can train them and equip them. For those whose dad has since gone to be with You, comfort them and bring them the joy of every favorable memory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Shaun Jones

Hutchinson Pastor