Often people want to know a little about the pastor before they come and visit a church. I was born at St Vincent Hospital in Taylorville, Illinois to Leslie E and Mary A. Hancock on Feb. 23, 1955. I grew up in the wonderful village of Stonington, where I attended grade school through high school. During my high school years, I met a beautiful lady by the name of Pamela S. Stanley. We married in 1974. We have three great children who are all married and we enjoy for grandchildren. We became a part of the ministry in 1986 and we were asked to assist the pastor of Crossroads in 1990. In 1999, we were asked to pastor this beautiful people.
My heart in ministry focuses on life. In John 10 verse 10 it states, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jesus came first and formost to offer to man salvation or a way of escaping the punishment for his sin. However, the Lord's desire for us is not only for salvation but salvation abundant.
All to often people come to a church and the focus is on salvation alone. Salvation must always be the primary focus of the church. Helping people to Biblically readiness to meet Jesus on their day of judgment should always be the heartbeat of the family of God.
However, there is much living to be done between salvation and eternity. Life is not always fair and in some cases horrible. Divorce was once something that did not happen often and was looked upon with an unfavorable attitude. Today it is an acceptable part of life to our society. Children are sexually abused at an unbelievable rate. Rape and murder are in our newspapers daily. The number of people that have been abused in one form or another is staggering. Drug addiction is a horrible plague. For those who were not fortunate to be left unscarred in life, salvation alone is not enough! The church must offer help and healing!
Jesus knew this, in His statement we hear His heart bleeding for those who hurt, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". This is the ministry that Jesus has laid upon my heart and the hearts of the congregation of Crossroads. We want to see people saved but more than salvation alone. It is our desire to help people achieve LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY!
Man's wisdom is sometimes good but God's is always on target. We can heal the wounds of life through God's infinite wisdom. He left His Word and gave the church the Gifts of the Spirit to help us.
I invite you to come visit and check us out! We would love to have you as part of the Crossroads family.