From the Pastor's Desk
Living a Life of Service

David Long • Associate Pastor
September 17, 2026

2 Minute Read
Are you a selfish person? Have you honestly reflected on that question recently?
We've been unpacking parts of our vision and purpose as a church family, and this Sunday we tackle "Love God, Love Others, Live to Serve." That's our way of applying the greatest commands found in scripture "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
It seems Jesus places a high emphasis on service to others, an external reaction to the overflow of love received within the family of God. To know God and love God leads to the knowing and loving of others. The promise in Luke 9:24 says if we seek self, we will lose everything. But if we seek beyond ourselves, there's a full life to be found.
Luke 9:24 - For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Serving is actually a really difficult thing for me. Putting others ahead of myself has asked more of me than I thought (funny, since I did grow up reading Luke 9:24...)
But I can honestly say I've experienced a fullness of life living for the sake of others I couldn't have imagined.
I'm still very selfish. But I'm still following Jesus further in and love what I'm finding.
Look forward to leaning into a life of service with you. And talk soon!
-David
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September 17, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
From the Pastor's Desk
Are you a selfish person? Have you honestly reflected on that question recently? We've been unpacking parts of our vision and purpose as a church family, and this Sunday we tackle "Love God, Love Others, Live to Serve." That's our way of applying the greatest commands found in scripture "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." It seems Jesus places a high emphasis on service to others, an external reaction to the overflow of love received within the family of God. To know God and love God leads to the knowing and loving of others. The promise in Luke 9:24 says if we seek self, we will lose everything. But if we seek beyond ourselves, there's a full life to be found. Luke 9:24 - For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Serving is actually a really difficult thing for me. Putting others ahead of myself has asked more of me than I thought (funny, since I did grow up reading Luke 9:24...) But I can honestly say I've experienced a fullness of life living for the sake of others I couldn't have imagined. I'm still very selfish. But I'm still following Jesus further in and love what I'm finding. Look forward to leaning into a life of service with you. And talk soon! -David

David Long

Associate Pastor

September 13, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Groups + Classes this Fall
Groups At CWC 🙏 Become a Family that loves God, loves Others, and lives to Serve is the core purpose of groups ministry at Cross Walk. This season offers several great groups and classes to connect, deepen relationships, and grow as a disciple of Jesus. Finding a group is simple. Browse all current groups below, fill out the connect form and we’ll help you get plugged in. Can't find one that fits? We'll help you find your people — fill out the contact us form and I will personally follow up within 48 hours. Want to learn more about our vision for Groups? Watch the Message “Become a Family” here! CWC Groups Launch Open to All | Groups Vision + New Group Formation | 11:45-12:45 | Fellowship Hall The first 3 Sundays of October we’ll be hosting CWC Group Launch. We’ll take time to learn how to be in a group together, what becoming a family means in our context, and form new groups. If you’re already in a group, you are welcome to join us and practice that commitment to grow! If you want to learn what being in a group might look like, but aren’t sure if you’re ready for a group, come anyway. This is a new starting point to help bridge the gap between wanting to become a family, and actually practicing becoming a family.Sign up! Sunday Morning Groups + Classes Adult Class | Markers of Discipleship | 9:15-10:15 | Orange Room (Children’s Wing) John Grusendorf leads this class, where you’ll learn the markers of discipleship as we engage the invitations of Jesus for discipleship as found in scripture. This class meets in the Fall season, and wraps up early December 2026. Youth + Young Adult Book Study | What if Jesus was Serious About Prayer? | 9:15-10:15 | Youth Room Sarah Manko and Becca Boscaljon lead this book study for high-schoolers, college students and young professionals. Learn the rhythms of prayer Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Books provided. This study group wraps up early December 2026. Women’s Discipleship Group | Table Group + Cohort Style | 9:15-10:15 | Fellowship Hall This Fall CWC Women hosts a Women’s Discipleship Group on Sunday mornings. This is a space to connect deeply, share scripture conversations in smaller table groups, and pray together. Format is cohort and table group style, with guides and lessons provided. This group will meet through early December 2026. Childs Life Group | Life Group Format | 9:15-10:15 | Lawson House Robb and Sandy Childs host a life group on Sunday mornings, which is a group format with a longer commitment and more relational emphasis. Group members are expected to prioritize gatherings, commit to prayer and serve opportunities within the group, and participate for multiple seasons. If this sounds like a group you want to participate with, contact Pastor David for more info! Sunday Evening Groups Helwig Life Group | Life Group Format | 6pm-8pm | Lawson House Becky and Paul Helwig host a bi-weekly life group on Sunday evenings, which is a group format with a longer commitment and more relational emphasis. Group members are expected to prioritize gatherings, commit to prayer and serve opportunities within the group, and participate for multiple seasons. If this sounds like a group you want to participate with, contact Pastor David for more info! Week Night Groups Adult Class | Basics of Christianity | 6:30-8pm | Prayer Room (Back of Sanctuary) Tom Anderson leads this class, where you’ll learn the basics of our faith and following Jesus. This class meets during the school year, and wraps up May 2027. Thursday Night Life Group | Life Group Format | 6pm-8pm | House Gathering David and Becca Long host a weekly life group on Thursday evenings, which is a group format with a longer commitment and more relational emphasis. Group members are expected to prioritize gatherings, commit to prayer and serve opportunities within the group, and participate for multiple seasons. If this sounds like a group you want to participate with, contact Pastor David for more info! Saturday Groups CWC Men’s Group | Devotional + Accountability Triads | 8am-9am | Lawson House CWC Men hosts a Men’s Group on Saturday mornings. This is a space to practice scripture teaching and care, offer vulnerability and confession, and pray together. Format is shared devotional and small accountability triads. This group will meets weekly year round. “If we only live by ourselves, we miss a lot God. We miss so many details that other people pick up- maybe it’s them reading scripture, or the Spirit telling them through prayer. We have an opportunity to share those experiences and strengthen the family that way.” -Dino, Life Group memberJoin a group!

David Long

Associate Pastor

September 3, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
From the Pastor's Desk
Proverbs 29:18 opens with "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I think about that verse often during significant moments- things like wedding ceremonies or new jobs starting or big transitions. Those moments have always struck me as revealing- you can tell where there has been discernment and wisdom present in the decision-making, and when there hasn't. We don't have any big transitions this month at Cross Walk, but we are intentionally taking time to discern and get wisdom together as we explore what God is surfacing for our church family together. So, each Sunday we're unpacking our key, repeated phrases - the things we use to describe who we are and what we are doing - and leaning in to what they reveal about where we are now and where we see God moving us. The last part of Proverbs 29:18 says - "But blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction." God has gifted us His Word - both in the person of Jesus and in Scripture - that we may have wisdom. Looking forward to sharing space to heed that wisdom and cast vision in September! Talk soon, David

David Long

Associate Pastor

August 20, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
From the Pastor's Desk
Hey there! There are some seasons where time together really makes a difference. Shared space and shared experience serves as an anchor for what lies in the road ahead. For Cross Walk, that season is September. In September we'll be sharing the vision and opportunities we see God placing before Cross Walk in the year and years ahead. We have new ministry opportunities opening, new shared rhythms God has laid on our heart, and new invitations. We'll be sharing more in the weeks ahead, but my ask of you today is this: As best as you can, would you prioritize Sunday Mornings in the month of September? We want to share the space and the experiences with as much of the family as we can, so we are anchored for the road ahead. Grace and peace to you, and talk soon! Pastor David

David Long

Associate Pastor

August 6, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
From the Pastor's Desk
Dear Church Family, As we head back into Ruth this Sunday, we're turning a corner on the story- what was a tragedy is becoming a love story. What was heartbreaking is becoming redemptive. Over the next few weeks, start thinking about the ways, both big and small, that God has been redeeming you. What stories can you share? What moments do you treasure as you see the hand of God on your life? More to come, talk soon! David

David Long

Associate Pastor

July 23, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
From the Pastor's Desk
As I have been reflecting on our time in Ruth, I’ve noticed a pattern I haven’t had a deep appreciation for until now: God multiplies generous acts. Not just in the “sowing and reaping" principles often at play on the pages of Scripture. But the “your generous act is actually going snowball with the faithful and generous acts of others.” Boaz showed compassion and generosity to his employees. Ruth showed compassion and generosity toward Naomi. The employees showed compassion and generosity to Ruth. Boaz shows generosity to Naomi through Ruth. God weaves all these small and often easily overlooked steps into a beautifully redemptive story that leads (spoiler warning) to the line of David and Jesus. I’ve been encouraged to consider to where I doubt the small but faithful step being stewarded by God to weave wholistic redemption. And consider where I can trust God’s invitation to act faithfully with compassion and generosity. Won’t you join me? Talk soon! David

David Long

Associate Pastor