PASTOR STEPHEN CROSBY

ABOUT THE PASTOR
Hello! I am excited to be a part of what God is doing here in Chepachet! Let me tell you briefly how I came to be here. My educational background includes a B.A. in Sociology from Framingham State College, Framingham, MA in 1982, and a M.Ed. in Middle School Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA in 1987. Along with my career in education I have long been active in youth ministry both in churches and parachurch organizations.

About five years ago I became aware that God might be calling me to vocational pastoral ministry. In the fall of 2001 I began taking courses at Bethel Seminary of the East helping to confirm how I sensed God was leading. As I look toward finishing seminary I consider it a joy and a privilege to be a bivocational pastor and to be ministering here at Chepachet Freewill Baptist Church.

WHO WE ARE
CFWBC is a church in transition. We have a long and rich history and are grateful to be able to gather in the beautifully restored Meeting House. Like many New England churches our membership has been dwindling and aging. Yet God seems to be working in new and unexpected ways! We have a core of elderly saints eager to grow and to change as God directs; to be a part of launching a rejuvenated and healthy church. We desire to glorify God by being people of worship, discipleship, community, ministry, and missions. We want to have a meaningful impact on our community, and to be about helping people find peace with God.

We are unaffiliated, non-denominational in spirit, and theologically varied, but true to the essentials of evangelical belief and faith. We're committed to first being people who love God so that from us will flow the work of God.

OUR VISION
We've committed as a church to a two-fold focus: personal spiritual formation and church growth. We especially desire to grow by sharing the gospel; by welcoming seekers and new believers into a community committed to loving God and one another. To facilitate this vision we first need a foundation of committed disciples called and eager to be a part of an exciting and challenging ministry opportunity. Though we're historically traditional and will remain sensitive to our roots, we are open to the Spirit moving us and adapting us to the times and the community.

COME AND VISIT US
We're praying God will bring people to join us in our vision. Perhaps you do not have a church family and are looking for a place to belong. Perhaps you sense God leading you to get involved at the formative and leadership level of a small church being revitalized. Perhaps you have been disillusioned, frustrated, or hurt by the institutional church. Perhaps you have sensed God leading you to a church in a situation such as ours. If so, (with your church's blessing if you currently belong to a church) please come get to know us. Come and see if this may be just the place God has for you to share your spiritual gifts as you help to grow and nurture His Kingdom.

Please call me at 860-928-9345 if you'd like to hear more. I'd love the opportunity to talk with you about our vision for Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church and to hear about your journey with the Lord as well.

In God's Grace and Mercy,
Steve Crosby

© Copyright 2004-2008 Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church. All rights reserved.
1213 Putnam Pike - PO Box 148 • Chepachet, RI 02814 • (401) 568-3771
All photographs, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of Marilyn J. Brownell. All rights reserved.