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I came on staff with CrossRoads Missions in 2002, and Cindy and I moved
to Louisville, KY, where the ministry is based. This was a huge change.
I was born, raised, educated and lived in West Tennessee my whole life.
I would have been unable to make this change if I had not had the
support of my church family at New Hope. They were vital in getting me
funded and continue to be faithful to support this work that God has
placed before me.
Cindy and I were blessed with our little Emma Marie in 2006. They
travel with me as much as possible. Cindy also assists with office
duties and represents the ministry at conventions and camps.
The ministry God has laid before me with CrossRoads is an interesting
one. As Director of Development, I felt I could utilize my marketing
background to help grow God’s work in recruiting new churches to serve
with CrossRoads and overseeing fund raising efforts. I’m still
responsible for that aspect of the ministry, but I now spend the
majority of my time in managing a program called Help Build Hope.
The Help Build Hope team goes to a church parking lot over a weekend to
lead the congregation in framing the interior and exterior walls for a
house. At the conclusion of the event, the walls are shipped to one of
our fields or to partnering Habitat for Humanity affiliates for
completion of the home. This is a great way to engage local church
members in the “shortest, short term mission trip.”
Help Build Hope began in 1999 when the leadership of the National
Missionary Convention (NMC) asked us if we could design a program that
would engage students attending in a meaningful service project. Since
then, we have led similar projects at the NMC and have expanded it to
churches, church camps, men’s retreats, and VBS’s.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. Churches across the
country looked for ways to not only fund the recovery effort, but to
actively participate. It was a perfect fit for Help Build Hope. In 2006
we framed 113 sets of walls at 28 events. In 2007 we built 83 sets of
walls at 30 events. We expect 2008 to be another big year.
In addition to Help Build Hope, CrossRoads Missions leads churches and individuals into several other areas of service.
Appalachia
CrossRoads Missions and the Maytown Center have partnered to improve the standard of living, raise expectations, and find hope in the grace of Christ for families in Eastern Kentucky. While serving in Maytown, participants have opportunities to build relationships with members of the community through the development and implementation of community activities and assisting in new home construction, renovations and remodeling.
Inner-City
In Louisville, KY, we partner with Jefferson Street Baptist Center and Greater Galilee Church focusing on facility renovations. Our primary goal is to update Jefferson Street Baptist Center’s worn down homeless shelter to help enable them to serve the homeless of Louisville. At Greater Galilee Church, we are helping to repair their basement which has been damaged from frequent flooding. In doing so, we will help free up their resources to better reach their community.
In Chicago, IL, Crossroads Missions has teamed with Rock Church & Circle Urban Ministries to focus on facility renovation within the community of Austin on the west side of Chicago. The focus is to renovate an abandoned high school, which will provide 12 more classrooms and offices for a Christian preparatory school. Within that complex, work will also be done to rehab a 1,100-seat auditorium, replacing a gymnasium as Rock Church’s sanctuary.
We are also involved in community outreach by helping in after-school programs, tutoring in an adult literacy program, serving in a breakfast ministry, and building relationships with the adults and children in the neighborhood.
Mexico
CrossRoads Missions is actively involved in community development and ministry in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Desiring God’s “will be done; on earth as it is in heaven” we work to improve the education, housing, and environment for families in Piedras Negras. On-going projects include a 44 home subdivision, a school, and a park.
We are constructing a new building in the subdivision of Piedra Angular, which will be utilized to house groups and community events. Other opportunities for outreach and service exist in Medical Missions, children’s ministry, and evangelism. Through fellowship, worship, and encouragement, participants work together as the body of Christ to display a testimony of the love of our Savior.
New Orleans
In our desire to meet the needs of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina’s devastating blow to the Gulf Coast, we have transitioned from cleanup to rebuilding and restoring lives and homes in the Central City Area of New Orleans and remodeling homes that teams previously gutted in Chalmette.
Through serving those devastated and misplaced, we hope to live out Christ’s example of service by demonstrating His love for mankind through our actions, words, and lives.
If you would like more information about CrossRoads or how you can be involved, please contact us at: www.crossroadsmissions.com or
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or call me at 502-719-0007 x 246.
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