Project Richmond
September 6–9, 2007 TENTATIVE
Late this Summer, we will travel to Richmond, Virginia to help launch a new church in the Ashland community and assist the efforts of the planting pastor, Josh Karrer, formerly of NCC. Serving Crossings Church will grant us the opportunity to reach into the Randolph-Macon College community and help students find a church home. We will also support Pastor Josh and this new community of faith through hard work and fervent prayer.
We trust that God has something exciting in store for the city of Richmond and the community of Ashland, and Crossings Church will help many people in this area find a relationship with Christ. Consider joining us on this regional missions project as we partner with Pastor Josh and his team.
Latest From the Journal
Friday’s Fasting and Prayer
Chris Jarrell · August 24, 2007 · 9:52 AM
Is Meekness a Weakness?
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.—Ephesians 4:1–2
In classical Greek, the word for “humility†is a derogatory term suggesting low-mindedness and groveling servanthood. The Greeks had no place in their language or beliefs for humility. It was looked upon as a bad thing. That is even true in our culture, as evidenced by attitudes that say, “Look out for number-one†and “What’s in it for me?â€
Contrary to conventional wisdom of today, the Bible tells us to put the needs of others above ourselves and to be humble. It also tells us to function in meekness.
Meekness is sometimes perceived as weakness. But that is not what the Bible is saying. The word “meekness†as used in the Bible means “power under constraint.†A meek person may have the ability to hurt you, but chooses not to. That is power under constraint.
Jesus was described as meek and mild. That doesn’t mean He was weak. He was far from it. He was strong. He did not return insult for insult. He did not strike back. He gave us the example to follow in humility and weakness and in dealing with others in gentleness.
This means humbling ourselves. Sometimes, it means going to a person and saying, “I don’t know if I have done something to harm you or if you think I have done something, but let’s try to work it out,†even if you think you are right and that person is wrong. That is where humility and meekness come in.
We need to get rid of any me-first, what’s-in-it-for-me attitudes and start thinking biblically. And we need to be asking, What can I do to help others? How can I learn to resolve conflicts? It can change your life.
I believe God desires that we would serve with meekness and have an attitude of humility as we go down to Richmond and serve this awesome community.
Please be in prayer for our team. I would like to see a few more people go with us on this trip and experience this amazing opportunity to serve the community and the Crossings Church.
If you are interested in attending this trip please email me @
Friday’s Prayer and Fasting
Chris Jarrell · August 17, 2007 · 10:51 AM
As we continue to draw closer to the trip down to Richmond I am looking forward to serving and making myself totally available to this amazing community. After being down in the Richmond area for the last six years, I really have love and fondness for the Central Virginia area.
As we cry out to God in prayer today, I want to look past the location and begin to see the people in the Ashland/Richmond area who need the hope and love of Christ. I want to see those who are hurting and begin lifting them up. I want to begin praying for every divine appointment that we encounter while we are serving in the community.
Lord allow our hearts to break for those you love and gave yourself for. Use me God to be your instrument of love and hope in the lives of those we are going to be serving. I want to bless those in this community in practical authentic ways. Amen!
May God Rule in Our Midst
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - MATTHEW 6:10
“In heaven, God’s will is the only priority. A word from God brings angels to do his bidding, immediately and without question. Jesus instructed us to pray that God would accomplish His will in our world in the same way. This means that God’s purposes would be preeminent in our homes, our businesses, our schools, our churches, and our governments.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray that God’s purposes be carried out in the world around them. In modeling how they should pray, Jesus was teaching His disciples how to share God’s heart. He demonstrated this again at Gethsemane when He prayed “"Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will"” (Matt. 26:39). It is as we seek God’s kingdom on earth, and not our own purposes, that we gain the same mind as our heavenly Father. We become colaborers with God by praying faithfully in agreement with His desires.
As you seek the Lord’s will, He will guide your praying. He will invite you not only to pray, but also to become involved in His activity as He answers your prayer. If He places a burden upon you to pray for an individual’s salvation, that burden is also His invitation to join His activity in that person’s life. Prayer will prepare you to be a servant through whom God can bring about His will on earth. Pray that the Lord’s absolute rule on earth will begin in your life. Then watch to see how God uses you to extend His Lordship to others.”
Friday’s Prayer and Fasting
Chris Jarrell · August 10, 2007 · 9:38 AM
Today as we look towards the Richmond trip. We are a month out from going. I want us to focus on serving and giving our best on this trip. I believe as we go, God will give us divine appointments and open up doors of opportunities as we reach our to the Ashland area. What are we going to do with those opportunities. It is my prayer and hope personally as well as a team that we would give our absolute best.
As you fast and seek God today, pray for ways that you can be used by Him on this trip to be catalyst of change in someone’s life.
Giving Your Best
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God a bull or sheep which has any blemish or defect, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 17:1)
God’s love moved Him to sacrifice that which meant the most to Him—His only Son. Our response, if we truly understand His love for us, is the desire to give back to God that which means the most to us.
The Old Testament reveals that God set forth high standards for the sacrifices He required of His people. A worthy sacrifice had to cost the people something. As their hearts shifted away from God, the people began struggling to give God costly offerings. They would bring blind, lame, and sick animals, assuming God could not tell the difference (Mal. 1:8). God saw what they were doing and declared their offerings to be in vain (Mal. 1:10). Throughout the Old Testament period, God was setting the stage for the ultimate, perfect, and sinless sacrifice of His Son for the sins of humanity.
The offerings we give back to God reveal our hearts’ condition. A heart that overflows with gratitude for God’s love will respond in selfless devotion. If we are unwilling to sacrifice our time, our possessions, our money, or our energy, we indicate that we do not love God as He desires. God takes delight in the person who gives to Him cheerfully out of a loving heart, a person who understands that God is the source of everything he has and who knows that God will more than compensate for whatever is sacrificed for Him (2 Cor. 9:8).
If you struggle in giving your best offerings to God, pause and reflect on what God sacrificed for you. Trust Him and give Him the best that you have because you love Him with all your heart.
Great Quote to Reflect On
Chris Jarrell · August 02, 2007 · 8:05 AM
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.” -- Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia
Christ’s life was all about missions. His mission was to the people who He was sent to serve and die for. His mission was “to seek and to save what was lost.” As Christ followers I want to challenge you to have that same mission. The closer and the more intimate we become with Christ, we will begin to have that same passion ”to seek and to save what was lost.”
I know Richmond isn’t an exotic location or across the world, however there are people who are lost and looking for hope. There are people who are missing out on the fullness of Christ. We are called to reach those people as well. Will you partner with Project Richmond, either through financial or prayer support or by going on this trip with us.
We will have a mandatory informational meeting, Monday, August 5th at 7:00 upstairs (office level) of Ebenezers @ 201 F St. If you can’t be there or have any questions please email at
Looking forward to September 6-9…
Friday’s Prayer and Fasting
Chris Jarrell · July 27, 2007 · 2:52 PM
As we continue to pray this week for Pastor Josh and Crossings Church, let us pray for continual growth for the church. I know they have picked a couple families over the last few weeks. Let us pray that would continue to make an impact in their community. Let us also pray for continual favor on the Randolph Macon College Campus for the Crossings Church.
As we draw closer to the trip it is my prayer that while we are down there as a team we can be an encouragement and a support to Pastor Josh and Crossings Church. It is my hope that we can be a blessing to the Ashland community through serving with all that we have for the days that we are going to be there. I am really amped about this trip and the potential impact it can have, not in the Ashland/Richmond area but also in our personal lives.
“The single most evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.” C. Peter Wagner
Friday’s Prayer and Fasting
Chris Jarrell · July 20, 2007 · 7:48 AM
Today, I want us to pray for favor with the campus of Randolph-Macon (Ashland) and Inter Varsity (the campus ministry) so we can hold a bar-b-que on the campus. A bar-b-que is a great way to connect with the students in a practical way. Because Randolph Macon is a private college the only way to do a bar-b-que on campus is through Inter Varsity. This is one of the things we will hopefully have the opportunity to do on our trip.
Pastor Josh also would like for us to pray for several of the key guys at the church, that they would find jobs quickly. They have been looking for a job for about two months and they are getting frustrated.
I really want to encourage to go the throne of God and lift up these requests. “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29)â€
On a final note, Pastor Joel will be kicking off our Missions series - Go, Pray and Give next weekend. We will be promoting the this trip heavily. Please consider going, praying or giving towards this trip over the next few weeks.
If you are interest in going on this short term missions trip to the Richmond/Ashland area please email me at .
Friday’s Prayer and Fasting
Chris Jarrell · July 13, 2007 · 10:20 AM
Today, as we go into our time of fasting and prayer for this Friday. Pastor Josh passed along some needs that we can pray for leading up to their launch.
That God would give Pastor Josh and the Crossing Church leadership team wisdom in how and when to start a kids program. ”We would like to provide something to families but are having a hard time grabbing them when we don’t have a kids program. And if we had one, no parent wants there kids to be the only ones in it. It is almost like we need to start a kids program with kids on loan from another church :) We just needs some guidance on how to navigate this issue.”
Let us be in prayer for Pastor Josh and the team for guidance and direction.
Two Months Away
Chris Jarrell · July 06, 2007 · 10:07 AM
Wow, I cannot believe we are two months away from our trip. As we draw closer to heading down to Richmond, I want to begin a time of focus prayer and fasting for this trip, for The Crossings Church launch, for Pastor Josh and Beth Karrer, and the community surrounding Virginia Center Commons, the location of the church. I am going to begin this time of fasting and prayer today and doing it every Friday leading up to the trip.
Will you join me in this focus time of fasting and prayer? Will you use this time as well to pray and see how God wants you to be a part of this project? This may be a huge opportunity for many of you to be involved. Let us begin by praying for the Karrer family, that God will use them as they develop their team and give them strength as they go into this launch.
If you are interested in being a part of this missions trip or want to give support to this project either through prayer or finances email me at .
We get to be a part of it all.
Chris Jarrell · June 21, 2007 · 7:50 AM
“The single most effective evangelistic methodology under Heaven is planting new churches.” -C. Peter Wagner
I believe that statement to be true. Not just because I am the Church Planter in Residence here at NCC, but because this a great method that God uses today to reach the unchurched, the dechurched and unsaved in our culture. Here is the awesome news, we can take part in God’s plans to accomplish His goals. As you pray and ask God for His will and plan for you, concerning this opportunity to be a part of this upcoming missions trip. My challenge, is for you to ask God this question, do you want me to be a part of what You want to do in see lives transformed?
As we partner with Pastor Josh and the Crossings Church, we will have the great opportunity to participate in the planting of this new community of faith in the Richmond area. I believe this church will be an impacting making church as they fulfill the Great Commission (Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.") and Christ’s purpose ("For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” ).
I also believe that this trip will not only make an impact on the community during the days that we will be there in Richmond, I believe the impact will go beyond September 6-9, 2007. “What we do in life, echoes in eternity” -Maximus (From the movie Gladiator with Russell Crowe)
Will you consider being a part of it all, on this short missions trip to Richmond, VA . The dates are September 6th-9th, 2007. The cost is $250. Email me if you are interested in being a part of Project Richmond @ .
Where does God want you to be?
Chris Jarrell · June 19, 2007 · 8:24 AM
Where does God want you to be? it is not a question about our physical location. It is a question about where we should be spiritually. As you begin to pray and prepare yourself to reach our Judea, Richmond, VA. I want you to consider where you at spiritually. Are you where God wants you to be?
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. - 1 Samuel 2:4
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness.
Paul was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner. Jacob was broken at Peniel. David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba. The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom.
When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless.
