Why was Crossroad Connections Birthed?
Hello,
My name is Valerie Fields, Founder of Crossroad Connections. Crossroad Connections is a ministry/organization that will connect people to people during these tough times. Every day I have been hearing about the great needs in our community of which many are not being met, due to the increase in the number of needs. My heart aches for these people and their situations. Through out my own life I have gone through tough times when I wished, “If I could just find someone to trade clothes with, or services with, so I didn’t have to come up with money I just don’t have.” This took place again recently and the same thought came to my mind. “If I just had someone to trade with.”
God has called me into the ministry as a teacher/speaker. I felt the need to study what the purpose of the church is and the roles we should be playing. The same day I had planned on starting to study this topic, I had a revelation about helping connect people to people to assist each other in getting their needs met. In my study time that day, the Lord led me to the church in Acts.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... 34 There were no needy persons among them. Acts 4:32,34
When I read that, I knew God was confirming to me what I was to do and that is how the birth of Crossroad Connections began. Connecting people to people using each ones gifts, skills, and resources, to help and bless each other. It’s basically a bartering system. Instead of just handing out food or money, we will teach people how to trade for the things they need. If one comes in for help getting moved, they may have the skill of plumbing. We would connect them to another person who is need of that skill and each will be blessed by the other with no currency traded. By doing this, we take away the “give me” mentality and embed the “giving” mentality. Value is brought to the service or goods they are receiving and hearts will be changed.
Another part of the process will be to teach the fundamentals of life through classes and training. This will give families the foundation they need to make things better for themselves. For example how to handle money God’s way (budgeting) through teaching Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes, how to save money and cut corners with things such as using coupons or bulk buying, Miserly Mom tips, Cooking and cleaning classes, and most importantly spiritual guidance through book studies and counseling.
Another important factor is to lift people up, especially women, by giving them a new outfit (out of the clothes pantry) when they come in, or maybe a make over, or new hair cut. When individuals go through tough times, it can really bring their self esteem down and lead to depression. I want to lift them up and make them feel special and valued the way God sees them. This in turn will give them a little encouragement and hope to begin taking the steps to making their futures better. Just showing that someone cares and values them can change the whole life of an individual.
God teaches us in his word that we are to love even when they are unlovely, take care of our poor, and also our widows.
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 21:33-34
Will you have a heart for God’s people and partner with me in this mission? I thank you again for your time and consideration. Please take a look at the rest of the website and brief slide show presentation. A list of the ways you can contribute to the organization are also displayed. You may contact me at 260-355-7030, or through the contact forms if you have any further questions or would like to sign up as a partner or volunteer.
May God Bless You,
Valerie Fields
Founder, Crossroad Connections
My name is Valerie Fields, Founder of Crossroad Connections. Crossroad Connections is a ministry/organization that will connect people to people during these tough times. Every day I have been hearing about the great needs in our community of which many are not being met, due to the increase in the number of needs. My heart aches for these people and their situations. Through out my own life I have gone through tough times when I wished, “If I could just find someone to trade clothes with, or services with, so I didn’t have to come up with money I just don’t have.” This took place again recently and the same thought came to my mind. “If I just had someone to trade with.”
God has called me into the ministry as a teacher/speaker. I felt the need to study what the purpose of the church is and the roles we should be playing. The same day I had planned on starting to study this topic, I had a revelation about helping connect people to people to assist each other in getting their needs met. In my study time that day, the Lord led me to the church in Acts.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... 34 There were no needy persons among them. Acts 4:32,34
When I read that, I knew God was confirming to me what I was to do and that is how the birth of Crossroad Connections began. Connecting people to people using each ones gifts, skills, and resources, to help and bless each other. It’s basically a bartering system. Instead of just handing out food or money, we will teach people how to trade for the things they need. If one comes in for help getting moved, they may have the skill of plumbing. We would connect them to another person who is need of that skill and each will be blessed by the other with no currency traded. By doing this, we take away the “give me” mentality and embed the “giving” mentality. Value is brought to the service or goods they are receiving and hearts will be changed.
Another part of the process will be to teach the fundamentals of life through classes and training. This will give families the foundation they need to make things better for themselves. For example how to handle money God’s way (budgeting) through teaching Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes, how to save money and cut corners with things such as using coupons or bulk buying, Miserly Mom tips, Cooking and cleaning classes, and most importantly spiritual guidance through book studies and counseling.
Another important factor is to lift people up, especially women, by giving them a new outfit (out of the clothes pantry) when they come in, or maybe a make over, or new hair cut. When individuals go through tough times, it can really bring their self esteem down and lead to depression. I want to lift them up and make them feel special and valued the way God sees them. This in turn will give them a little encouragement and hope to begin taking the steps to making their futures better. Just showing that someone cares and values them can change the whole life of an individual.
God teaches us in his word that we are to love even when they are unlovely, take care of our poor, and also our widows.
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 21:33-34
Will you have a heart for God’s people and partner with me in this mission? I thank you again for your time and consideration. Please take a look at the rest of the website and brief slide show presentation. A list of the ways you can contribute to the organization are also displayed. You may contact me at 260-355-7030, or through the contact forms if you have any further questions or would like to sign up as a partner or volunteer.
May God Bless You,
Valerie Fields
Founder, Crossroad Connections
