Friday, May 21st, 2021

Dear Crossway Family,

I am grateful to God for the strength and perseverance he’s given to us all through this difficult period.  After some discussion with our lay elders, I wanted to share some updates for our church.

• Masks for adults will be optional.  This will be in effect this week for our Sunday services, following CDC’s recent guidelines.  
• We will continue to worship outdoors through most of the summer to keep us from having any capacity limit issues and to keep everyone safe.  We also would like to encourage all smaller gatherings to be outdoor when possible.  
• For our Crosswalk children and youth group, we will ask them to wear masks for the time being.  
• We also ask if you have Covid-19 like symptoms, that you worship with us online. 

I am grateful for your grace and patience as we navigate this season together.  God bless you!

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

 

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Dear Crossway Family,

I trust you are doing well.  I am writing to inform you that we have recently received information about a confirmed case of COVID-19 by someone who was present at our in person service this past Sunday (12/6).

If you were present at the Brea in person service this past Sunday, I’d recommend you follow the CDC guidelines.  I am grateful that we had all these protocols in place of meeting outdoors with our masks on. 

With the cases going up and the health department asking the public to shelter at home, we will postpone our in person outdoor services (Brea and Irvine) for the next 3 weeks.  We will continue to worship at home online (crossway-church.com/online).  

I am grateful for your faithfulness and flexibility during these times.  If you need prayer or someone to speak with, please feel free to contact one of our pastors.  May the hope of Christ during this advent season bring you joy and strength.  I miss you and am praying for you all.

With the love of Christ,

Pastor Steve

 

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Dear Crossway Family,

I trust you are doing well.  I know this season has created a longer than expected time of uncertainty and waiting.  Regardless of the circumstances, I am reminded of the comforting words of Psalm 42:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  I want to point you to that little word “very” in the verse.  This word (meod) can be translated “muchness,  abundance, diligently, etc.”   This word describes God’s closeness to us during these days.  He is very present or his presence is in abundance today.  Though we are separated from many of our friends, classmates and church family, know that God is very present.  Seek Him.  Acknowledge God daily.

Let me share with you our plans for our church.  We are planning to have in person/ outdoor services starting Sept. 13 at the Brea Community Center.  Our online live service will continue as well.  Details will be made available as the date draws near. I am grateful to our Church Regathering Team who has been meeting and planning to provide a safe environment for us to worship in person.   In the meanwhile, let’s be patient, understanding and flexible.  May the very present God, bless you and keep you.

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

 

Friday, June 12, 2020

Dear Crossway Family,

I hope you are doing well.  First let me congratulate all those who recently graduated.  What an accomplishment for you and your families.  I look forward to celebrating with you all soon.

Secondly, let me share an update with you regarding our church.  We recently formed a Church Regathering Team which consists of Kel Higa, Albert Lee, Henry Ra, Jonathan Ou, Pastor Paul Lee and myself.  This team is prayerfully discussing all options regarding our church regathering in person for worship.  The state of California has approved the opening of churches with certain guidelines.  They will be giving an updated guideline on June 15.  The team will meet afterwards and make some recommendations on when and how we will regather.  I am grateful to this group who has been looking out for the health and best interest of our Crossway family.  I will keep you updated on our schedule.  Let me encourage you to continue worshipping together from home online faithfully.  Also, please help us by filling out the survey that is attached.  

Finally, let me encourage you to endure well through these times.  God is working in all of us, building up our character to ultimately give us a hope in Christ.  Notice the progression in Romans 5:3-4:   “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”  Endure well and let hope be evident in your life every morning.

God bless you all!  

Love in Christ,

Pastor Steve  

 

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

Dear Crossway Family,

I pray you and your family are well.  It’s hard to believe that we haven’t met physically for almost 2 months.  I am looking forward to our reunion.  Oh how sweet it will be!

I wanted to give you an update on the state of our church and when we might be able to worship physically. 

I’ve witnessed how strong our church family was during this time.  We have had many who continue to serve faithfully, care for one another, praying and worshipping together and giving generously.  I have been very encouraged and grateful to God for our church’s faith.  I also want to thank our staff who have been working around the clock to provide content and care for our whole church. 

Regarding when we may meet for worship, we will continue to wait and follow the guidelines provided by the governor’s office.  The governor’s office has laid out a plan to reopen our state in 4 stages.  Currently we are in stage 1 which is essential businesses only being open.  Stage 2 will start this Friday, with the opening of some lower-risk businesses and public spaces.  Stage 3 is the opening of churches, gyms, theaters, etc.  The 4th stage is when everything is back to normal.  The elders of our church will continue to prayerfully monitor the situation and see when it will be safe for all to gather.

In the meanwhile, let me encourage you to seek the Lord daily and count your blessings everyday.  Secondly, I want to encourage you to foster growth in your faith by joining our Wednesday night Bible Studies, Equip classes, Community Groups, and our Sunday worship services.  I look forward to seeing you all soon.

God bless you.

Pastor Steve

 

Thursday, April 2nd 2020 

Dear Crossway family, 

I trust you are doing well under these unique conditions.  I wanted to give you a few updates and share with you some announcements as well.  Originally we were planning to not meet until the end of March.  Now it looks like we will be in our homes until the end of April at the earliest. We will keep you updated as this situation unfolds.

Now, let me share some good news with you.  We have been putting our services online for our Crossway family but there have been many other friends who have tuned in to hear the gospel.  I’ve had people reach out to me who have not gone to church in a long time and are returning to the Lord.  I’m sure there will be many more who will seek God following this pandemic.  I also want to thank our staff who have been reaching out creatively to our children, youth, collegians, young adults and our families.  I thank God for all our servant leaders who pray, care and love our church.

Let me share with you 4 announcements: As passion week is approaching, we have a Easter packet prepared for each of our church members.  In it will include a devotional guide, communion elements (for Good Friday), something special for our Crosswalk children.  We will have pick up hours for you to stop by our Irvine Ministry Center or our Brea Headquarters. 

• Saturday (both sites): 9am-11am

• Sunday (both sites): 1-3pm

• Monday (both sites): 5-7pm

• Wednesday (Brea): 5-7pm

Secondly, LOVE OC starts this week.  Every Easter we celebrated by partnering with various organizations in the OC.  This year we will be collecting food donations and medical supplies for our local organizations and hospitals.  Please bring any donations when you come to pick up the Easter packets this upcoming week..

Thirdly, our church’s Mercy Ministry is available to our members who are facing unforeseen hardships.  Applications are on our website under the ministry tab. 

Lastly, what we are all going through will impact all of us.  This is a time not to go through it alone.  Let me encourage you to be proactive in joining any of our gatherings.  Your presence makes a difference.  This is our way of loving one another and carrying one another’s burdens as it says in Galatians 6:2.  Also, our pastors are here for you anytime so please freely reach out to say hi or to pray together.

We will get through this with the Lord so let me encourage you to take heart, be wise and use this time as an opportunity to grow as God’s child.  God bless you!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Steve

 

Thursday March 19, 2020

Dear Crossway Family, 

I wanted to invite you to participate in a very special time of prayer for our community.  I will be joining several pastor friends of mine this Friday evening at 6 p.m. to join in united prayer for our churches and community in the midst of this COVID-19 health concern.  This will be an online prayer gathering and we have established a special link for this event: https://www.facebook.com/BreaPastorsUnited/   

Please join with many others in their homes across our community for this prayer event.  Share with others and encourage them to join in as well.  There will be some worship, Scripture reading and mostly prayer.  I hope you and yours can be a part of this! 

Also, join us online for worship this Sunday at 10:30am (Crossway-church.com/live). Following the service, we will have our Equip Class taught by Pastor Sam. Be strong in the Lord.

God bless you!

Pastor Steve

 

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 

Dear Crossway Family,

I hope you are all doing well.  It was a huge encouragement to have so many of you join in on our online streamed worship.  I want to thank our pastoral team and staff who have been working around the clock to make it all happen.  I also want to thank you all for praying for our church and for our country. During any crisis, the church would be a gathering place for people to come and find comfort.  We want to achieve this by offering many different options for you to connect, share and pray with one another. Let me encourage you to join one of our scheduled gatherings.  We are better and stronger together.

Starting this Wednesday at 7:30pm (3/18) I will be leading a Bible Study on the book of Psalms.  You are all invited to join us for this special time. Following my teaching, we will offer 4 prayer rooms you can join via Zoom (8pm).  Pastor Jun, Pastor Paul Lee, Pastor Sam, and Pastor John will each host a room. It will be a space for you to come, share, and pray with our brothers and sisters.  Your presence makes a difference so let me encourage you to join in.

We will continue with our live service on Sunday at 10:30am followed by our Crosswalk and Preschool worship and discussion groups.  You will receive an email from your leaders before Sunday for this. Our youth groups will continue to gather together regularly as well.

We are here for you and if you need to talk, prayer or even some FaceTime to chat, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastors.

I believe that any crisis with the Lord is an opportunity.  I know God will do great things in our land through all of this.  Let’s seek Him daily. God bless you all!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Steve

 

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Dear Crossway family,

We are looking forward to leveraging technology and continuing to be the church scattered in our homes.  You can join us at 10:30am tomorrow at www.crossway-church.com/live 

We will have a time to connect for our Crosswalk and Youth students as well.  Please contact the respective leaders for both campuses for Crosswalk and Youth:

Crosswalk Brea (Children): Pastor Chris Jeon ( )

Crosswalk Irvine (Children): Director DY Lee ( )

Crossroads Brea (Youth): Director Jon Lau ( )

Thrive Irvine (Youth): Director Jean Kim ( )

All of this information and the latest updates will be posted on our website (crossway-church.com/covid19) and on our Instagram and Facebook pages.  

I look forward to seeing you.  Take care and God bless you!

Pastor Steve

 

Thursday, March 12 2020

Dear Crossway family,

I trust you are doing well.  I’m sure you have all been watching this COVID19 crisis unfold so quickly.  We at Crossway, have been monitoring this carefully and we are committed to the best interest of all of our members and worshipers.  In light of the suggestions made by the governor and posted by the California Department of Public Health yesterday, our elders have decided to move our worship services online starting this week until the end of March.  We will also hold off on all our smaller gatherings as well until the end of the month. 

I ask you to join us online this Sunday at home with your family and friends.  Our staff is working hard to set everything up and we will keep you posted.  In the meanwhile please check our social media pages and our website (crossway-church.com/covid19) for details for up to date information. 

We are here for you and if you would like to talk, receive prayer or need assistance, please reach out to any of our pastors.  We love you and are here for you.  Let me close with this verse and remind you of what God has instilled in us.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

 - 2 Timothy 1:7

God bless you!

Pastor Steve