Road trip with Jesus

Stop. Yield. One Way - road signs surround a 1967 Ford Mustang convertible on stage.

It's no car show. This Odessa church is using the theme to take a journey through side roads of Christian life - and they all lead to Sunday.

With titles like "On Ramp," "Service Roads," "GPS: Showing Us the Way," "Warning Signs" and "Emergency Stops" the latest sermon series at CrossRoads Fellowship - "Road Trip: Traveling With Jesus" - has paved the way for Easter morning.

This Sunday's theme, "The Road is Red," ends the drive with three morning services at the church's annual Community Easter Celebration.

The Rev. Griffin Jones, CrossRoads senior pastor, said he hopes the church's new facility on Highway 191 appeals to
first-time visitors and reaches out to the "de-churched" or "un-churched."

In years past, the Easter Celebration was at the Ector County Coliseum.

"It's an opportunity or excuse to come and see us," Jones said. "We're hoping that a combination of our new campus and the spiritual thirst and desire will draw people who are curious to come connect with God."

The multi-media event will incorporate vehicles, video and a verbal message to highlight the bloody crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his empty tomb later on, Jones said.

"The road will take you all the way to the resurrection - that's where we end up," he said. "The theological theme is the atonement."
While Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" and Rascal Flatts' "Life is a Highway" have set the mood for previous services in the series, the tone for Easter Sunday will be a climax of energy - the day normally has a spike in church attendances.

"Regardless of what method or application we use, the goal for every one of our services is life transformation," Jones said. "On Easter, it'll be an incredible time."

CrossRoads worship pastor, the Rev. Jeff Stewart, said the car theme, lighting and projection screens aid in making the day a true celebration for all who come.

"We're showing that in a relevant and interactive way, that Jesus is alive - it's the same good news story that's been shared for thousands of years," he said.

But beyond the excitement and technology, Stewart hopes the spirit of Easter will prevail in people's lives.

"Without the resurrection, we're just going through the motions," he said.

Tina Mobley, a 44-year-old CrossRoads member, said she looks forward to Easter and the possibility of building relationships with visitors.

"I'm expecting a big increase this year because we have so many new people," she said. "I think maybe the name change has kind of loosened things up - there's an opportunity to reach people who aren't normally in church."

Mobley will sing in the church's praise team on Sunday and lead one of the worship songs there - a special day with a special message.

"There's an excitement in the air because it's a special day," she said. "Hopefully we encourage people to take their trip with Christ and not be alone."

ON THE NET:
>> CrossRoads Fellowship: www.crossroadsodessa.com

WANT TO GO?
>> Cross­Roads Fellow­ship has three services for its Community Easter Celebration on Sunday:
8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and
11 a.m. at the church, 6901 E. Highway 191.
>> The multi-media worship service is themed, "The Road is Red," to finish the preaching series "Road Trip: Traveling With Jesus."
>> Call 368-2500 for more information.

 The multi-media worship service is themed, "The Road is Red," to finish the preaching series "Road Trip: Traveling With Jesus."
>> Call 368-2500 for more information.