Hey Guys!

It's Pastor Matt from Afghanistan!  While this blog will serve as an update to those Roadies that are at home it's thrust is to connect those of us that are serving in Afghanistan.  As our stateside Crossroads family continues to develop it's capabilities with video of the services, and other great things, this blog is aimed at being a portal for us to stay connected with each other.

So let me take a minute to tell you how awesome you are for serving.  Thank you so much!  Don't ever think it's not a huge deal what you are doing over here.  I am excited to find out where each of you are located and what your up to.  I am located on KAIA (Kabul Afghanistan International Airport).  It is primarily a NATO/ISAF heavy base in Kabul.  I am sure as pilots many of you will be through there.  When you land (probably on Ramp 8) if you have any down time please look me up.  My Roshan cell # is 0797174523.  If you have Roshan or AWCC you shouldn't have to dial the country code.  I always have that on me, so please call if you can.  I am walking distance away on Ramp 9, so it would be great to get a cup of coffee while you wait.  I do travel to Bagram and JBAD from time to time, usually with enough time to eat lunch if I want.  I also go to Kandahar quite a bit.  I usually spend several days at a time there, so it would be great to hook up in either case.  If you are out at a FOB let me know where.  I will most likely come there at some point.

Guys look!  Just because we are here and around so much ugly stuff doesn't mean God is not with us.  I know sometimes it feels like Crossroads and the softer edges of home life are non-existent, but that is exactly why we need each other.  Can you imagine how good it would feel to get together and just talk about our church and other things.  Like a little piece of sanity that no one can take away.  I know I am looking forward to meeting with you.  Even better would be to actually have time to sit together and talk about what's going on in our lives, maybe even listen to a podcast.

Just please know that in a big way I feel like I am here for each of you.  I know that may sound crazy, but it's true.  I am praying for each of you.  To stay strong and focused. To not allow yourselves to drift away from God while you are here.  To be bold...and I for one need you too.  It makes me feel a million time better just knowing that there is a slice from home i.e. "you" that I can call or meet up with to find a bit of piece of mind.  I hope you can find some encouragement in that too.

Ok! Here's what's next.  I am going to keep you up to speed on what I am up to and anything from home that you may want to know also.  I will try to blog a few times a week.  Stay up with Gene's blog and the website.  I'd like to have you pass your emails to Will at home and keep that kind of data off this forum.  You can find his email on the Crossroads homepage under contact.  In that vain I would like to keep off this blog where and when I am moving.  I will let each of you know if an "email blast" instead of the blog.  Just to be a bit safer.
Anyway, God bless you guys.  As for me here in Kabul it's getting cold.  We are at 5800 MSL, so it's starting to feel a bit more crisp.  I like to know what each of you are flying.  I am flying Mi-17's.  Sometimes mixed (Afghan/US) crews, sometimes not.  I look forward to staying in touch.

Be Blessed,
Pastor Matt

The Crossroads Afghanistan Story

Crossroads Community Church launched just over two years ago in an old movie house in a small town in South Alabama nestled up to Fort Rucker.  We joke that Crossroads is like a spiritual “bus station” for Army flight school students and their families.  They come to Fort Rucker to learn to fly helicopters.  They come to Crossroads to learn to live out their faith.  The reality is, we reach many and keep no one.  A good bit of our congregation cycles in and out with each graduating class at Fort Rucker. 

Then we noticed something.  As more and more “Roadies” deployed, our virtual congregation grew.  Today, a huge number of people attend Crossroads without ever setting foot in the building.  In fact, 25% of Crossroads financial support comes on-line from Roadies defending the cause of freedom on foreign soil. 

Enter Crossroads Afghanistan: A connecting point for soldiers serving their country, and living their faith.  In 2011, you’ll be able to watch weekly services LIVE, or download them for later, and have access to small group resources, class curriculum, Bible study helps, and a variety of useful on-line, downloadable resources.  Our Campus Pastor, Matt, on the ground in Afghanistan, will work to launch group viewing of Crossroads webcasts, organize small groups at various Forward Operating Bases (FOB’S), and be there to mentor, to lead and to bring a bit home to  front. 

We welcome your comments and suggestions on what would be the biggest help to you, right where you are.  Email us at info@crossroadsafghanistan.org