More Than a Building
Have you ever felt bound by your facility's limitations, but knew God was calling you to do more? Maybe your church's vision surpassed your existing resources? This very challenge was met head-on by the dedicated members of Crossroads Church in Rowlett, Texas.
Crossroads Church's mission was to expand the Kingdom of God one relationship at a time from its formation in 1994. This venture began in a school, moved to a strip mall, then settled in a park. What once was an outdoor pavilion became an enclosed church facility where members would come to worship God for almost 20 years.
After the unexpected death of their lead pastor of 12 years, Crossroads Church went through some fluctuation in their attendance. But small numbers are not intimidating for a God who can feed 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish. Eighty faithful members were all that remained when Jason Collins became Crossroads Church's lead pastor in 2015. As time passed and members came alongside new leadership, 326 people were baptized and close to 600 people regularly attended Crossroads’ weekly services!
With attendance multiplying, Crossroads had to provide three Sunday services to meet the demand of the people. Church leadership soon learned that the smallness of their facilities limited them greatly, and it became apparent that with this surge of growth they needed to build a new building.
"We had vision that exceeded our personal resources, but we're a part of the body of Christ. And so the Foundation, also a part of the body of Christ, stepped in and helped us get the rest of the way," explains Pastor Jason. "The experience we've had in going through the application process and going through the funding process has been incredible.”
“Never hesitate to tell your church the challenge of the mountain you need to climb. They want to help in every way they can, but people cannot help overcome an obstacle if we never tell them it exists. ”
On Sunday, June 30, 2019, Crossroads Church opened its doors to its brand-new facility where people connected in the church's substantial welcome area. Crossroads quickly learned their new building not only doubled their capacity to do ministry, but it also multiplied it by at least 10 times. Ministry to families could now happen like never before. Student ministries gained a new meeting space, and the children's department provided breakout rooms for every grade (for the first time in the history of Crossroads). Within the walls of Crossroads’ new structure, people continue to get saved and baptized at a rapid pace. This advancement caused them to add a new Monday night program called EQUIP, where 270 people gather to learn how to read the Bible.
Not only has ministry increased within the church walls, but outside it has expanded into the city also. Crossroads has welcomed their community to use its facilities through hosting a kid's summer musical program, HOA meetings, foster care training, city meetings, lunches for area pastors, and a program for teen mothers and their children. Vision to see their original building repurposed brought about the decision to hold Hispanic services there where community members are coming to know and walk with the Lord.
"We are reaching, blessing, and growing people at a rate we simply could not do before—at least not like this," says Jason.
When asked what advice Jason would give to fellow pastors with the desire to build a new facility, he encourages pastors: "Never hesitate to tell your church the challenge of the mountain you need to climb. They want to help in every way they can, but people cannot help overcome an obstacle if we never tell them it exists. Get everything you can from your current facility before you build. Learning to use facilities for multiple purposes and building for multiple purposes allows for future growth you cannot yet imagine, but God does."
Truly, Crossroad Church's new facility is not just a building. It's a tool God has used to advance his Kingdom one relationship at a time.