January 2025
Crossroads Newsletter
A monthly in-depth ‘behind the scenes’ look at what’s happening at Crossroads with stories & testimonies from across the network, vision for the future, financial reports, and special news from Pastor Rich, Our Pillars, and Campus Pastors.
Crossroads Conversations
A Fresh Touch of God
Welcome Our New Campus Pastor!!
As many of you are aware, we have been looking for a new Galena Campus pastor for a long time. Two years and one month to be exact.
After much prayer and continued searching, we are happy to announce that one of our own, Austin Caswell, is now Pastor Austin Caswell! Austin and his wife, Briana, grew up in Crossroads in families that have been very involved in our church’s life. Though young, they have a long history with Crossroads, and we are so very happy for them that God put the call on their heart to serve the congregation at Galena.
Though Austin hit the ground running at the beginning of January, he will be formally installed by Pastor Rich on Sunday, January 19th. So, if you are in the Galena area then, stop by and wish them well. Austin, Briana, and their daughter Lydia would so appreciate your prayers as they embark on this journey of doing God’s work on one of our campuses.
Pray For Our Missionaries
BEYOND ME ... reaching across communities, cultures and countries with the Gospel of Christ.
The Beyond Me MISSION is to enlist, train, and mobilize people to fulfill the Acts 1:8 mandate to reach and transform our community, region, and to the ends of the earth.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NLT)
Our Jerusalem … our vision and values
Transforming rural communities for the cause of Christ!
JESUS | Our Message PEOPLE | Our Priority COMMUNITY | Our Calling GENEROSITY | Our Privilege
Our Judea… “One Church, Meeting in Multiple Locations” - Crossroads has 6 campuses planted strategically to reach our communities for the cause of Christ.
Our Samaria…Each campus is commissioned with reaching communities throughout their region through building relationships and serving and loving our neighbors with the love of Jesus.
It’s a great opportunity during this season of prayer and fasting to pray for our Crossroads-supported missionaries.
Global Missions
Bill & Kim Snider – Assemblies of God World Missions – Southeast Asia
Mahendra & Lynette Singh – Crossroads International – South Africa
Moses & Joanna Kariukis – Youth with a Mission (YWAM) – Kenya
Ed & Valerie Schubert - Casa de Luz - Honduras
Mitch & Julie Linneman – Hope Grows International Assemblies of God World Missions – Eurasian Region (Due to the sensitivity of the area, names are not shared)
Compassion International – Child Sponsorship
Crossroads Missionaries
Randy & Shirley Haglund – CTEN West Africa
Local Missions
Rob Melville – Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Tri-County Christian School
David & Louise Decker - Deer Ridge Ministries
Campus supported missions
Each of our campuses also has established partnerships with local/regional organizations to serve and meet the needs of people in our communities.
Executive Update.
Pastor Patrick McDermott
The Role of an Elder
At Crossroads Community Church, you may have heard the term Elder mentioned. The Elder is one of the oldest positions in the Church, described long ago in the scriptures.
Eldership is a role of great importance and responsibility for the oversight of a church. The Apostles Peter, James, and Paul in their epistles, and Luke in Acts provide clear guidelines on the duties of Elders. Elders lead the church (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:1–2), teach and preach the Word (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9), protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17, 28–31), exhort and admonish the saints in sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:13–17; Titus 1:9), visit the sick and pray (James 5:14; Acts 6:4), and judge doctrinal issues (Acts 15:6). In biblical terminology, Elders shepherd, oversee, lead, and care for the local church. These roles are designed to ensure the spiritual health and growth of the congregation and to provide leadership and oversight.
Qualifications of an Elder
Those who take up this role are equipped to lead with integrity, wisdom, and a heart for service. The qualifications for Elders are primarily outlined in two key passages: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. These passages offer a detailed list of criteria that highlight the character and capabilities necessary for someone to serve effectively as an Elder.
Above Reproach (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6), Husband of One Wife (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6), Temperate and Self-Controlled (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8) Respectable and Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2), Able to Teach (1 Timothy 3:2), Not Given to Drunkenness or Violence (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7), Not a Lover of Money (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7), Manages His Own Family Well (1 Timothy 3:4-5, Titus 1:6), Not a Recent Convert (1 Timothy 3:6), Good Reputation with Outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)
In addition to these formal qualifications, we know from scripture that the Holy Spirit prepares men to be Elders. Acts 20:28 tells us; “Pay careful attention for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [Elders], to care for the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
While the qualifications and roles of an elder are clearly defined, at the heart of this calling is a deep love for God and His people. An elder is not just a position of authority but a role of servanthood. Jesus Himself set the ultimate example of leadership through service, teaching His disciples that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).
Elders are called to lead not out of compulsion or for personal gain, but willingly and eagerly (1 Peter 5:2). This heart of service is crucial, as it aligns with the character of Christ and fosters a church environment where love, growth, and unity can flourish.
Elders at Crossroads
At Crossroads we have two levels of Elders. There are Crossroads-wide Elders, called Network Elders. These Elders spiritually oversee all the campuses of the entire Crossroads Church and work with the Lead Pastor. There are also Campus Elders. Though biblical qualifications and expectations of Campus Elders are the same as for Network Elders, their scope of responsibility is limited to only the Campus they represent, and work with their Campus Pastor. To be eligible to become a Network Elder, one must currently be serving as a Campus Elder.
