Encourage One Another

Vol. 1 Issue 5

Greetings Crossover Family,

The season of summertime has arrived, plans are being made to get out of town, the kids will be out of school for a few months, and you might finally get a little extra time on your hands to do what you love the most.

Every month that I write to Crossover I ask God simply one question: What is it that I should share this month? As I listen to God closely and think about all the relationships I share with many at Crossover Church, I suddenly come to realize what it is that I always hope to do and be, which is: to encourage.

For instance my life as a missionary started not too long ago and though I was nervous for quite some time God has shown me his blessings and He lets me know that I should not worry about life a single day. “Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  Luke 12:22-26

As believers in Christ, it happens that we become guilty of doubting God or worrying more about our situations instead of worshiping and praying onto God more. No matter what trial or tribulations you face today, know that God is right there with you. God is good and He will never give you more than you can bear. Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9), Endure hardship as discipline (Hebrews 12:7), make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16), have an attitude just as Christ Jesus (Phillippians 2:5) and encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13).

I pray that you are being encouraged daily as well. The Christian Life is not a life that is supposed to be lived out alone. We all need and can use encouragement daily. Therefore I challenge you today to speak words of encouragement to that co-worker, to a significant other, a spouse, a child, a friend or brother or sister. Words can be so impactful and today I encourage you to be inspired to activate someone’s life.

What’s new for the month of June:
- June 7th & 8th Ministry engagement for the P31 Effect Wonder Woman Conference
- June 16- Father’s Day special
- June 22- 5-9pm The 127:4 Fathering Seminar@ Crossover Church, ONLY $12
- Special request of June: Please help my amazing talented Sister in Christ: Jasmine Le'Shea raise money to fund a second heart transplant by giving a donation via WWW.YOUCARING.COM/JLBF Thank you

How Can You Support Nikita’s Mission at Crossover Church?
-Pray for God’s will to be done (James 4:15)
-Pledge to support Nikita as a missionary in the USA for only $10 or more per month 
-For more information on how to become a financial supporter visit: 
https://nikita-carter.squarespace.com/support/
-Feel free to email me any of your questions, prayer requests, praise reports at: nikita@crossoverchurch.org

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. -1 Thessalonians 5:11”

Balance

Vol. 1 Issue 4-May 2013

Dear Crossover Family,

 Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers of Crossover Church out there. You all deserve to be treated like queens and I personally will remember on this day my own mother who is far away on the other side of the world in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. God knows how much I miss her, but I am blessed to have many great women around me here at Crossover Church. I encourage all young and old to express how much you love your mom, and how much she means to you for it is truly a blessing to be close to your mother. Tell her today what big influence she has made in your life. I know for me personally that is introducing me to God.

This month of May is the fourth month of full-time ministry for me and I have experienced truly some amazing growth while serving here at Crossover Church. Whether you are a member or regular attendee at Crossover Church one of the core values here is to help You Discover, Develop and Display yourself for Christ in God’s Kingdom. I must confess in the last months I have grasped the values and its importance, though I admit that the lesson that I quickly had to learn is that balance is so important. It is important in every area of your life, but for me particularly it is important when working in full-time ministry. Wise advice someone close to me shared last month was the following: "The best lesson in ministry is learning that it is ok to say no. Even Christ slipped away to pray and rest in God."

My biggest challenge right now is learning how to balance my activities. There are times that an 8 hour day might turn into a 14 hour day, simply because I will do that and because I can, but it doesn’t mean I should. The difference between a secular job and ministry job is that in a secular job you more than likely will clock in and clock out, and once you do so you are done until you return. Ministry on the other hand is your life, and you don’t ever clock in or out from your ministry.  The importance though is that I do have to be intentional about taking time out to enjoy myself and tell myself to find time to relax. I realize if I don’t then the danger is to experience a burn out.

In closing, I just want to inspire each one of you to stay focused, but remain to seek a balance in your life, your career, your family and friends and most importantly your time with God.

What to expect for the following month:
-  May 14, 2013:  Rootsgroup for Young Women at 12.30pm or 7pm will start at Crossover Church
-  God is allowing me to minister in dance in Columbus Georgia, this week at the “Break every chain: Youth waking up for Christ” event, so please pray for travelling mercies

How Can You Support?
- Pray for God’s will to be done (James 4:15)
- Pledge to support Nikita as a evangelist in the USA for only $10 or more per month
- For more information on how to become a financial supporter visit:
https://nikita-carter.squarespace.com/support/
- Email me any of your questions, prayer requests, praise reports at nikita@crossoverchurch.org

““I thank my God every time I remember you,”- Philippians 3:1”

Birthing a Ministry

Vol. 1 Issue 3-April 2013

Dear Crossover Family,

May all be well and I am so blessed to announce and share my praise report with you all.  As of April 8, 2013 all outstanding fees for my religious visa application, a total of $4000 have been fully paid off.  God truly continues to provide for his children, and I am thankful for all the friends and family that chose to support up to this point already.
 This month I would like to dedicate this letter to you. To you because, you give me a reason to be here fully committed. You give me a reason to serve here at Crossover Church faithfully and you are the reason why I am here.

When I think about having a ministry with a purpose, I think about serving wholeheartedly and I am reminded of the following verse: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) 

In these four years I have had the honor to use my gift of dancing for the Lord at Crossover Church as well as other ministries outside of Crossover Church. In the summer of 2012 I traveled to Rwanda for a short-term mission trip with an organization called Thru Guidance Ministries, where I was part of a dance ministry. It was through Thru Guidance Ministries that I discovered the calling on my life. To express freely in the arts is a phenomenal feeling and I know that I have the ability to pass on that gift to the ones who wish to do the same. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” -1 peter 4:10

Currently, I am experiencing how God is molding me into His masterpiece to do his work with excellence. God is preparing me for the birth of a ministry here at Crossover Church: A Dance Ministry within the future Crossover Music and Arts Center (C.M.A.C.). The vision to reach others through the arts has been planted in me. Seeing part of God’s vision is amazing, but being able to execute it for Him is even more remarkable. As I am slowly but surely birthing a dance ministry within Crossover Church, I simply would like to express how I am truly grateful and blessed for the entire Crossover Church staff, members, attendees and visitors.

What to expect for the following month:
-  April 28, 2013 is Crossover Church Membership 101 class
-  I am choreographing for the National Day of Prayer on May 3, 2013 at Steinbrenner field at 7pm
-  Roots groups will start the week of May 13, 2013. I will be leading a Roots group for Young Ladies!

How Can You Support?
- Pray for God’s will to be done (James 4:15)
- Pledge to support Nikita as a missionary in the USA for only $10 or more per month
- For more information on how to become a financial supporter visit:
https://nikita-carter.squarespace.com/support/
- Email me any of your questions, prayer requests, praise reports at nikita@crossoverchurch.org

“Great Leaders are great servants! Jesus was the greatest leader of all, and he was so ready to serve you”- Nikita