Cross Point Chronicle | April 2026

He Is Risen — And That Changes Everything

There is something about a spring morning in the hills of West Virginia that feels like a sermon all by itself. The ridgelines that seemed so gray and bare through the long winter suddenly begin to show green again — almost overnight, it seems — and the world that looked finished quietly announces that it is not done yet. That is precisely the message of Easter. What looked like an ending was, in the hands of God, only the beginning.

Why We Celebrate
Easter is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. On that first Resurrection Sunday, Jesus of Nazareth — crucified, buried, and sealed behind a stone — walked out of an empty tomb. The Apostle Paul captured it plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:17: "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile." But He was raised. And that changes absolutely everything.

The Resurrection means that sin has been defeated, that death does not have the final word, and that every person who places their trust in Jesus Christ has been offered the gift of eternal life. It is not merely a historical event to be remembered — it is a living reality to be experienced. Every time we gather as the church, we are a community shaped by an empty tomb.

What the Resurrection Means for You
Easter is the answer to the deepest questions of the human heart. Is there hope when life falls apart? Is there grace when we have failed? Is there something on the other side of loss? The empty tomb answers: yes, yes, and yes. Throughout West Virginia's history, our people have known hardship — closed mines, hard winters, the kind of struggles that tempt a person to believe the stone will never roll away. But generation after generation, the resurrection message has carried our communities forward. Not because life is easy, but because we serve a God who is not stopped by sealed tombs or impossible odds.

Bring Someone With You
Cross Point family, we want to ask you to do one simple thing before April 5th: invite someone.

Think about the people in your life who have drifted away from church, or who have never really experienced what it means to be part of a community of faith. Think about the friend who is carrying something heavy right now, or the family member who doesn't know where to turn. An old neighbor. A coworker. Someone you've been meaning to reach out to for a while now. Easter Sunday is one of those rare occasions when an invitation feels completely natural. You don't have to have a speech prepared. You simply say: "Hey, why don't you come with me on Easter? It's going to be a great morning." That's it. That is often all it takes.

He is risen. He is risen indeed. And I will see you on Easter Sunday.

Love,
Pastor Vondie and Lori

Adventure Alley kids led the congregation in "Goodbye Yesterday" during both services on Sunday, March 22 — filling the room with the kind of energy, joy, and wholehearted worship that only childlike faith can bring.

Greetings, Cross Point family! Spring is finally here, and we are grateful — grateful for the season, and even more grateful for what God is doing among the men of our church. We have a lot to share with you this month, so let’s dive in.

In March, more than a dozen men from Cross Point made the trip to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, for the Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend — and what a weekend it was. With 4,500 men gathered from as far away as Hawaii, the energy in that place was something you had to experience to believe. Many attendees came with their elderly fathers or young sons by their side, and that image alone said everything about what Ignite is all about. The theme this year was “Forged” — forged in fire. In a culture that too often tells men that masculinity is something to be ashamed of, this conference was a bold, Spirit-filled reminder that God calls men to courage, integrity, and faithfulness.

Friday Evening: Faith vs. Trust
Friday evening was highlighted by Pastor Tim Timberlake, a favorite among those of us who have attended before. His message centered on the difference between faith and trust. Many of us believe that God can do great things — but do we trust Him enough to put our lives fully in His hands? Tim brought this to life through the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14. When Jesus called him out of the boat, Peter went — and for a moment, he walked. But when fear crept in, he began to sink. The takeaway? Faith gets you in the boat. Trust gets you walking on the water.

Saturday: Stories That Shake You
Saturday brought more powerful moments. John Wayne Walding, a former Army Green Beret, shared his testimony from the battlefield in Afghanistan — a story of survival, faith under fire, and raw dependence on God. After being shot by a sniper and fighting for four hours with a devastating injury, his prayer was simple: “God, this is all I’ve got.” That testimony will stay with every man who heard it. Pastor Rick Rigsby and Coach Tony Dungy also brought dynamic, uplifting messages that rounded out an incredible day. If you’ve never heard either of them speak, we highly recommend seeking out their work.

We want every man in the life of Cross Point to experience this conference. It never disappoints. Mark your calendars: next year’s Ignite Conference is March 12–13, 2027, at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA. Tickets are available now at www.ignitemen.net. Reach out to Jason Bess or Rich Hampton with any questions — they’ve both attended multiple times and would love to tell you more.

Your Men’s Ministry team has spent intentional time in prayer, seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit for this new season. We’re excited to share that He has given us a name and a sense of calling for our ministry: Brothers of the Way — BOW for short. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” We believe that for men to lead their families, their workplaces, and their communities well, it can only happen as disciples of Jesus — walking in His way of unconditional love, truth, peace, and holiness. That’s the kind of unity and fellowship our world so desperately needs to encounter through His people.

We are also working to establish a media presence to reach our community, along with an information page on the Cross Point website. We hope to have that in place within the next few weeks.

Spring Cleaning Work Day — May
Men love to work, and we’re putting that to good use! We’re planning a Spring Cleaning event at the church campus in May, tackling projects both inside and out. Jason Bess will be providing lunch that day — so wear your loose-fitting work pants and come ready to roll up your sleeves. More details on the date to come.

Summer Retreat on the New River
We’re also planning a two-day summer retreat on the banks of the New River — time around the campfire, time in the wilderness, and time to connect with God and with one another. More details will be coming next month. You will not want to miss this one.

Please continue to lift Brothers of the Way up in prayer. Ask God for His purposes, His will, and His way to be carried out among us — making disciples of Jesus, one man at a time. We are grateful to be on this journey with you.

In His Way,
Brothers of the Way — Men’s Ministry Team

Book of Esther
Wednesday @ 6:30 PM in the Lobby

Description: Living with Purpose When God Seems Absent. God is always at work in the background, even when he seems silent. This powerful truth is evident in the book of Esther—a story of God’s providence and the preservation of his people during their exile in Persia. In this seven-session series, Rev. Dr. Danielle Brown will help us see that despite moral corruption, national chaos, and the emotional turmoil of the main characters, God will never abandon his people and is positioning us for a purpose bigger than we can imagine.

Train to Run with Horses
Wednesday @ 6:30 PM in Room 107

Description: Do you find yourself questioning God as to why certain things happened the way they did? Why did he allow a challenging situation in your life? What was the point of all that suffering? Perplexed by his own suffering, the prophet Jeremiah asked God, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” God answered Jeremiah’s questions with one of His own: “If you have raced with me on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” We will look at the ups and downs of our lives. In all of them, God is working on us with the ultimate goal of training us to race with horses.


Young at Heart
Wednesdays @ 2:00 PM in Room 107
Facilitators: Vondie Cook Sr. & Dana Hosch
Description: A special time just for our seniors!

Wednesday, April 8th is going to be a night you won't want to miss! All of our small groups are coming together for one powerful evening of worship, prayer, and shared stories of life change. When the body of Christ gathers with one voice and one heart, something special happens — and we believe this will be one of those nights.

Come ready to be moved as members of our church family open up about how they came to faith in Christ, what that transformation has meant for their lives, and even how some have responded to a call into ministry. These are real stories from real people right here in our community — and there's nothing quite like hearing how God is still writing redemption stories all around us. Bring a friend, bring your family, and make plans to join us on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM. This is an All Together Service — and together is exactly where we want to be!

Cross Point Church’s Women’s Book Club will meet on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. in the church conference room. Our discussion will focus on the book “The Mercy Tree” by Sharlene MaClaren. The author is a retired English teacher who has won several awards for the books she has written. The Mercy Tree is the story about how past events can upend a family’s life. Henry, a well-respect pastor and his family face tough questions about faith, redemption and preserving a reputation while trying to “right the wrong” which surfaced from the past events. The book reminds us that even when we feel overwhelmed our God is in control. You are welcome to join us as we discuss this book and the power of God’s forgiving grace.

Here's an easy way to support our youth ministry—save your aluminum cans and bring them to church! Simply drop your cans in the recycling trash cans located in the gym by the carpet ball table. Every can makes a difference, and we're grateful for your support of our students!

Thank you for helping our youth!
Pastor Rob & Youth Team

Breakthrough is designed specifically for students in 4th–8th grade as they transition from Adventure Alley into youth ministry. These quarterly gatherings give pre-teens a chance to hang out, play games, and hear messages crafted just for them.

Upcoming Events:
Students will meet at the church at 2:00 PM for each event.

June 7 | 2:00–8:00 PM
Elk River — $40 per person

If you have a 4th–8th grader, don't miss these special opportunities for connection, fun, and spiritual growth. Contact the church office for more information or to register.

MONDAY, MAY 4TH | TEXAS ROADHOUSE

Here’s a great excuse to skip cooking dinner — and do something meaningful at the same time! Cross Point is partnering with Texas Roadhouse for a special fundraiser dinner night to benefit our student ministry and help send our youth to IYC this summer.

On Monday, May 4th, bring your mom out for an early Mother’s Day treat, take your spouse out for a date night, gather some friends, or simply enjoy a great meal. Whatever your reason for coming, every table helps our students get to an experience that could shape their faith for a lifetime.

How It Works:
Simply show your flyer — either printed or on your phone — when you dine at Texas Roadhouse on May 4th, and a portion of your meal supports our youth ministry. It’s that easy!

Flyers are available in the church lobby, at the Youth Check-In table by the gym, and tucked inside your worship guide in the weeks leading up to the event. Share them with friends, family, neighbors — the more the merrier!

Thank you in advance for supporting our students. Your generosity makes a real difference in their lives and their journey of faith.

— Pastor Rob & the Youth Team

"My house will be known as a house of prayer." – Matthew 21:13

Spring reminds us that God makes all things new. As the world comes alive again after this harsh winter, Touch Life is believing for fresh beginnings, restored hope, and hearts awakened to Jesus.

We are reaching for the lost with renewed passion and concern in this new season. Touch LIFE (Lifting Individuals For Eternity) is a prayer ministry dedicated to interceding for lost people to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This faithful group of prayer warriors meets on the first Sunday of each month at 8:30 AM in Room 105 to lift up those who need to encounter the saving grace of Jesus. Whether you're a seasoned intercessor or just learning to pray, you're welcome to join us. There's no greater privilege than partnering with God to see lives transformed by the gospel.

Next Meeting: April 5
Come be part of a ministry that has eternal impact. Your prayers matter, and together we can
storm the gates of heaven on behalf of the lost in our community and beyond.

Did you know Cross Point has a team of people dedicated to praying for urgent needs?

The Prayer Warriors Team is a dedicated group of believers committed to interceding for urgent needs within our church family and community. This vital ministry ensures that prayer requests receive immediate and focused attention from faithful prayer partners.

How to Submit an Urgent Prayer Request
We make it easy for you to request prayer when you need it most:

Call the Church Office or Submit a Prayer Request Online
Phone: (304) 252-6684
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

What Happens Next?
Once we receive your prayer request, we will place it on the prayer chain as quickly as possible, and our Prayer Warriors Team will begin lifting your need to the Lord.

Confidentiality
All prayer requests are kept strictly confidential and shared only with members of the Prayer
Warriors Team who have covenanted to maintain confidentiality.

Purpose
The Prayer Warriors Team is a dedicated group of believers committed to interceding for urgent needs within our church family and community. This vital ministry ensures that prayer requests receive immediate and focused attention from faithful prayer partners.

What We Do

• Receive and pray for urgent prayer needs as they arise
• Lift up individuals, families, and situations requiring immediate spiritual support
• Stand in the gap through intercessory prayer for our church body
• Respond quickly to time-sensitive prayer requests

Commitment Prayer Warriors agree to:

1. Pray faithfully for requests as they are received
2. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all prayer needs
3. Remain available for urgent requests that may come outside normal hours
4. Treat this ministry as a sacred privilege and responsibility

How It Works

1. Prayer requests are submitted to the church office
2. Urgent needs are sent to all Prayer Warriors via their preferred contact method
3. Team members pray for the need as soon as possible
4. Confidentiality is maintained at all times

Join the Team
If you feel called to this ministry of intercession, you can sign up here:

Need a ride to church? Cross Point offers a van ministry to help you get here for Sunday and
Wednesday services!

Our van provides pickup service within Beckley city limits. If you need transportation, contact
the church office to receive the driver's contact information and schedule.

How It Works:
Contact the church office at (304) 252-6684 to receive the scheduled driver's contact information. Once you have it, please reach out to them directly to arrange your pickup:

• For Sunday services: Contact the driver by 7:00 PM on Saturday
• For Wednesday services: Contact the driver by 7:00 PM on Tuesday

These deadlines help our drivers plan their routes efficiently and ensure everyone gets picked up on time.

Important Information:

• Service is currently limited to Beckley due to driver availability
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older)
• Our vans do not have child safety seats—riders must provide any necessary car seats

Don't let transportation be a barrier to worshiping with us!

Each month we will include attendance and financial information from the most recently completed month. Due to the timeframe of newsletter publication, this information will most often be a month behind. Church partners can obtain a copy of the most recent church financials by picking up a financial report in the wall hanger by the financial office or by contacting the church office.

Sunday In-Person Attendance:
2/01 – 198 (Inclement weather)
2/08 – 330
2/15 – 420
2/22 – 348
Average in-person attendance: 324

Sunday Online Attendance:
2/1 – 197
2/8 – 126
2/15 – 69
2/22 – 100
Average online viewership: 123