This Week at Cross Church | Home from the Holy Land & Marching forward

Praise God for safe travels to and from Israel!

Wednesday morning our group of 41 returned safely from the trip of a lifetime. We are tired and we are happy to be back home in the Razorback Nation, but I assure you this tour group of 41 people, Jeana and I included, will never forget the history and Bible lessons that the Holy Land has to offer.

The Cross Church tour was under the direction of Avi Shemesh, an Israeli tour guide with a deep knowledge of the Bible and the history of the Holy Land — and a man that I call my friend. Avi led our group to sites in the seaport city of Caesarea, on the top of Mount Carmel overlooking the Valley of Armageddon, across the Sea of Galilee, in Jesus’ boyhood town of Nazareth, and finally in Jerusalem.

Walking where He walked, praying where He prayed

While in Jerusalem our group was fortunate to take a day to walk the Palm Sunday Path just as Jesus did so long ago. We descended from the Mount of Olives, stopping to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, then crossed the Kidron Valley, and traveled up through the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem toward the area of the ancient temple. I especially valued our time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jeana and I prayed for each of you that submitted a prayer request. For over an hour we prayed for you by name, calling on the Lord to work in your lives according to His will. Cross Church family, I love you and it was an honor to pray for you in such a Holy place.

Our tour group was blessed to have five Shiloh Christian students along for this adventure. It was a pleasure to watch these high school students see with their eyes what they have studied and have been faithfully taught for so many years — the bible came alive for these young leaders!

Marching Onward

My fellow travelers and I have absorbed so much in these last 10 days, but we are thrilled to be reunited with our Cross Church family and preparing for the many great days ahead. In the coming weeks we have a special opportunity to spend time together marking the special days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, an eight-day time we are calling Passion Week. Our ministry team and worship teams are preparing a Christ-honoring series of Passion Week events that you and your family will benefit from.

Cross Church family, be at every Passion Week that your schedule allows for and invite those around you to join you. Find a full schedule of Passion Week events here.

Additionally, many of you received a mailer with an update on our GREATER THINGS giving campaign. If you are new to Cross Church, or just not familiar with GREATER THINGS, this is a three-year program (March finishes year two) that provides resources for great missional and ministry opportunities above and beyond our ministry budget allocated, click here for detailed information on the Gospel impact that your GREATER THINGS giving is making in Northwest Arkansas, America and the Word! I look forward to seeing you this Lord’s Day!

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie Floyd