'40 DAYS OF PURPOSE' CONGREGATION TRIES TO FIGURE OUT WHY EACH OF US IS ON EARTH.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Discovering why they're on Earth is the goal for participants in ``40 Days of Purpose,'' which will begin Sunday at First Southern Baptist Church.

The campaign is based on the best-selling book, ``The Purpose Driven Life,'' by the Rev. Rick Warren, founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.

``The '40 Days of Purpose' is a return to the basics of why we're here on earth. Many people get drawn back to church for Easter but if there's nothing for them to pursue, they drift off,'' said the Rev. Charles Cutney.

``This is a great opportunity for people who have been in the faith for a long time to get out of their comfort zone. It's also a great opportunity for people who have seen 'The Passion' and have serious questions about Christianity. Both groups will see God's plan that we're not here by random circumstance.''

Through the program, Cutney said, participants learn how to develop or strengthen their involvement in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism. Participants meet weekly in groups of six to eight people, discuss the week's daily meditations and watch a 20-minute video.

``I think there are a lot of people who don't know their purpose in life,'' said Crystal Robbins-Czerwinski, the small-group coordinator and organizer of the campaign. ``They're living only for the weekends or they have dissatisfaction with their job and they haven't found their passion in life.''

Participants do not have to be members of First Southern Baptist Church to join a group. The church will provide participants with the book and accompanying workbook.

``The beauty of the program is that it's nondenominational and biblically strong,'' Robbins-Czerwinski said.

Her enthusiasm for the campaign came about last year, when she attended a friend's ``40 Days of Purpose'' group at another church. A voice teacher, actress and mother of two young children, Robbins-Czerwinski discovered her passion to be in connecting people together.

``For me the single most important thing is a person-to-person relationship. That's how people's lives are changed; when we can mentor someone,'' Robbins-Czerwinski said. ``By participating in this program you see that people are just people. We all have struggles and questions. We saw prayers answered in the group I was in last year.''

One of the clues to finding your purpose in life probably comes from the very thing that has been painful or hurtful to you in your past, said Robbins-Czerwinski.

``Everything you've lived through has been there for a reason. God doesn't waste a hurt,'' she said. ``That's probably where your ministry is. And if you know from a biblical standpoint what you were created for, everything in your life becomes clearer.''

The ``40 Days of Purpose'' campaign will begin at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at First Southern Baptist Church, 10853 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. The Rev. Hughlen Johnson will deliver the first message ``What On Earth Am I Here For?'' on Sunday. Sign-up for the small group meetings at either Sunday service. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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(color) The Rev. Charles Cutney, left, and Crystal Robbins-Czerwinski and her son Jarek will be involved in ``40 Days of Purpose'' at First Southern Baptist Church.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer