Crossroads Community Church aids locals in recapturing their faith

Date: 1/14/2009

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



WEST SPRINGFIELD For persons at a religious crossroad, a new church in town may be the answer to one's prayer.

Pastor Jim Wooller leads the vibrant Crossroads Community Church, which meets Sunday mornings at the West Springfield Middle School.

"Although we are nondenominational, our sending church is Tabernacle Baptist Church in Chicopee," Wooller said during a recent Sunday morning gathering.

"Vibrant," "relevant" and "genuine" were words spoken by church members throughout the morning as preparations were made to transform the school's auditorium, teacher's lounge and cafeteria into a nursery, children's ministry area and worship space.

"What an incredible opportunity to be a part of the ground floor of a new church," Carol Cisek said. "I just knew I was meant to be here."

Cisek is not alone.

Kelly Becker and her family discovered the church through a "door hanger" flyer left at their home and were intrigued on the "new direction ahead" touted by the message.

"We needed a home church and when we received the door hanger message, it drew us in," Becker said. "It's a wonderful family and my daughter Kelsey can't wait to come to church." Becker added that her husband Anthony joined the church musicians since they needed a drummer, and Kelly herself was being baptized into the church later that night.

Known simply as "Pastor Jim," Wooller served as an associate pastor at Tabernacle Baptist for eight years. He is a native of Holyoke and resides in that city with his wife Jennifer and their four children, Allison, 8; Caleb, 6; Caroline, 2, and Emma-Kate, 1.

"I felt led by God to start a new church in the city of West Springfield," he said. "On purpose and with a lot of planning, 25 adults and 15 children were able to help begin this new work."

One of the more unique features is that Pastor Jim and his congregation meet in a rental facility each week, in addition to community groups that meet during the week in someone's home or at a local caf .

"It is amazing to see how this great building is transformed into a place of worship, learning and community on a weekly basis," he said. "We call it 'Mobile Church.'"

Since September, just like clock-work, church members start gathering at 9 a.m. to stack chairs and tables, assemble stages for the children's ministry area, and unload toys, cribs and high-chairs for the nursery. By 9:30, the musicians and singers are rehearsing the contemporary songs that will fill the auditorium with spirit and life beginning at 10:30.

"We believe that people will seek out a church like ours because we are a grace-based church which offers contemporary music, relevant messages and dynamic children's ministry," Wooller said. "It is enjoyable to be a Christian and we think our services should reflect that attitude."

Wooller noted that if the church is "healthy," things will grow.

"We believe the Bible teaches clearly the gospel of grace the free gift of salvation, apart from works," he added. "Hence, when a church follows the Bible message, Christians grow and churches grow."

Teenagers are especially active members of the church, and every Sunday, there are many who are helping set up before their 30-minute teen ministry session at 10 a.m. In the coming weeks, they will each be preparing an individual project for a teen involvement competition that spans across churches in Western Massachusetts, the Cape and parts of Connecticut.

"This is an opportunity to highlight the talents and gifts that God gave you," Wooller said at the beginning of their teen ministry gathering.

Jeffrey McAdam, 13, son of Glenn and Donna McAdam, said he enjoys being a part of the church for many reasons, including the opportunity to meet new people and to understand how the gospel connects to every day life.

Making a connection with God is at the heart of what Wooller hopes will sustain the new church in years to come. If the children are any indication, he has nothing to worry about.

"It's fun being here," Jonathan Lozada, 9, son of Elizabeth and Juan Lozada, said. "I've made new friends and the lessons are fun and easy to understand."

As Woller and the church members look to the new year, their one goal is contained in the mission statement "Knowing God and making Him known."

"Our hope is to continue to see our existing church family and new people grow in a personal and practical relationship with Jesus Christ," he said.

For more information on Crossroads Community Church, call Pastor Jim at 262-1171 or visit www.CrossroadsAlive.org.