Stories.... 

....our lives are shaped by them and filled with them.  They remind us who we are, where we came from, who we’ve become, and how we’ve changed along the way.

And they remind us who the Author is.

God is the author of The Crossroads’ story.  He has made us who we are and has brought us to where we are today.  Each time we tell the story He has written with our lives, we are humbled by His blessing and eager to give Him credit for all He has done.
 
Our Beginnings

The vision for The Crossroads was birthed over omelets at IHOP, as our founding pastor and a handful of pioneers from Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, AZ gave themselves permission to dream of an authentic, adventurous community of Christ-followers that would engage the disconnected people of the North Valley with the true message of God in the context of a genuine expression of His love.

As this vision was shared, God called others to His purpose, shaping and giving birth to a new church community called The Crossroads.

Among our earliest launch events was The Gathering, a periodic vision-sharing and team-building event where Launch Team members stuffed door hangers and prepared other promotional materials — and where we also learned from Pastor Steve the vision that would shape this vital new community of faith.  Along the way, we also conducted Church Hops, as we traveled the Valley, learning from the many successes and occasional failures of other planting pioneers who had helped blaze our trail.

Our most exciting pre-launch event was Christmas Eve service at Boulder Creek High School on December 24, 2004.  Despite hundreds of door hangers hung and mailings mailed — we openly wondered if anyone would actually show up.  They did…in fact over 500 people joined us in historic moment.

On January 9, 2005, our first weekend celebration took place — and our very distinctive personality began to emerge.  Volunteer-driven, flexibility, creativity, energy and a passion for worship and God Word was visibly shaping us.

By our first birthday, we were already actively seeking more ministry space — a search that continues to this day.  Meanwhile, God continues to bring people, reveal ministry opportunities, and change lives.  And in the process, we are learning how to “do church” wherever God opens a door.  
 
Who We've Become

In a very short period of time, God has blessed our young church more than those who began this journey ever dreamed.  He has created a growing community of seekers, learners, worshipers, followers and leaders.  He has shown us in countless ways that buildings are merely “boxes” to be used to worship Him, and that any building He gives is to be a launch pad, not a landing zone, for ministry.

He has provided creativity, flexibility, and opportunities to continue to transform gatherings into “church” in many forms.  He has shaped us into a church that climbs over our own walls out into a hurting world that can use our healing touch.  He has formed us into a hands-on church where ministry is initiated, led, and carried out by teams of committed volunteers.  He has used times of transition, dependence, and transformation to teach and remind us that His Church is led by Christ alone.  
 
to be continued…

We are humbly aware that we’re just one excerpt in a much bigger story than our own; we are put a part of God’s global movement He calls, The Church.

We also realize that every person at The Crossroads is writing his or her own story.  A story of transformation that continues — and until Jesus comes, will continue to be written.

Our community’s small slice of God’s kingdom pie is still being written by God’s creative hand, and we’re excited as each new page emerges and rejoice in the unfolding of God’s purpose.  Every person we meet, including you, becomes a part and changes our story through who you are. 

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived – except Jesus – once wrote that “a good name is better than fine perfume” {Ecclesiastes 7:1} and “more desirable than great riches” {Proverbs 22:1}.  We agree, that’s why a great deal of time and effort has been invested in determining just the right name for our new church.

So what name did we choose?  Christ’s Church at The Crossroads.

What was the rationale for our choice?

We selected “Christ’s Church” to honor our heritage.  Thanks to the powerful ministry of our mother church, Christ’s Church of the Valley, this identifier enjoys a wide and positive acceptance both across the Valley and around the nation.  It’s a name that indicates our fellowship with other non-denominational Christian churches, yet also ensures our commitment to be a simple community of Christians — who are bought by, led by and empowered by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Head.

In fact, please note the word, “Christ’s”.  The apostrophe “s” is more than just an afterthought, it’s our bold proclamation that this church really isn’t “ours” at all — we belong to Him.  And everything that flows from our ministry — every success and notoriety we may achieve — is a tribute to Him…and not us.

The word “Church” refers to our identity.  The word literally means, “called out ones.”  As the church of Jesus Christ, we are called out by God to be His salt and light to our lost world.  We’re called to reflect Christ by our words and our deeds.  And when we gather together, we’re called to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  In fact, as Christ’s “Church,” it is our God-given assignment that whatever we do, we do it all for His glory.

The final phrase, “at the Crossroads,” defines our unique mission.  Geographically, our church’s locale is strategically placed.  The North Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in the fastest growing city in the United States.  The I-17 and Carefree Highway/Anthem area is essentially a crossroads between the Valley and the rest of our state and will become the hub of activity for hundreds of thousands of Valley residents.

Spiritually, our church’s mission is also strategic.  We offer the healing, restoring power of Jesus Christ to a culture that is broken and troubled.  With our feet firmly planted on the Word of Christ, and our hands reaching out to those who seek such security, we have planted ourselves at the crossroads of the prevailing human need of our day.  We envision a ministry where multitudes of people who, facing their own unique crossroads, will continue to find direction and peace through the reconciling ministry of God’s grace.  And that WILL happen, because in this new ministry?  All roads lead to the cross, the only true hope of the world.

Our ministry theme is taken from Jeremiah 6:16, which says:  “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

That’s our name – and that’s our mission.  By God’s grace, we will serve both well — and all to His glory.