A Week of Blessings: Serving with the Alabama Team in Plainfield

We at Crosswinds Church were incredibly blessed during the 3rd week of June to partner with an amazing team from Alabama who traveled to the Chicago area with hearts ready to serve God in any way possible. While they worked with several churches in the region, we had the privilege of joining hands with them on Tuesday and Thursday for some truly impactful ministry moments in our Plainfield community. On Tuesday, we hit the streets together, handing out invitations to Crosswinds Church’s summer activities. It was a joy to see our community members receive these invitations with curiosity and warmth. Wednesday evening, our youth had a blast during Youth Night, bonding with the Alabama team over games that stretched well into the night. The laughter and fellowship were a beautiful reminder of the unity we share in Christ. As Scripture reminds us, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Thursday brought even more opportunities to serve. In the morning, we continued distributing invitations, eager to welcome more neighbors into our church family. But the highlight of the day—and perhaps the week—was the spontaneous park mission at a local Plainfield park that afternoon. Our teens, alongside the Alabama team, set up an unforgettable outreach event. They offered free cotton candy and slushies made to order, organized games, and even set up squirt gun fun at the fountain. Pickleball and basketball courts buzzed with energy as people of all ages joined in. Beyond the fun, the heart of this mission was to share the love of Christ. Some of our youth boldly stepped out to offer prayer for anyone in need, sparking meaningful conversations about faith and church. Songs of worship filled the air, and a powerful message was shared about the rich young man who asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus’ response in that passage challenges us all to surrender everything to follow Him: “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). This truth resonated deeply as we reflected on what it means to truly live for Christ. By the end of the day, everyone returned to the church exhausted but overflowing with joy. We gathered for rest and a well-earned dinner, grateful for the bonds formed and the seeds of faith planted in our community. This week was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the impact we can make when we serve together with open hearts. We invite you to join us at Crosswinds Church for our upcoming summer activities and experience this same sense of community and purpose. Let’s continue to pray for our Plainfield neighbors, that they may come to know the hope and love found in Jesus Christ. If you’d like to get involved in future outreach events or learn more, visit us at Pray2gether.org. Together, we can create a gospel movement right here in our local community! In Christ, The Crosswinds Church Family