While Crossroads’ first Worship service will be September 11, 2005, its history stretches out almost two years earlier. The idea of a new church began in 2003 out of the vision of Christ Evangelical Free Church of Strausstown, PA, to birth a daughter church to reach the greater Leesport area for Christ.

The leadership of Christ Church sensed God was leading them to plant a dynamic, contemporary, Bible centered church. Their vision was to start a fully functioning church that would have a high impact from day one, offering dynamic worship and complete children’s and youth ministries. A vision this big would require challenging 100-150 people from Christ Church to start the church. It would also require adequate staffing, facilities and finances.

This challenging vision began an amazing adventure which few start up churches have ever experienced. First, Christ Church initiated a financial campaign to raise $400,000 in one year to start the new church, an unprecedented step for church planting. Second, the Senior Pastor of Christ Church, Doug Boyer, sensed God was calling him to be the lead pastor of the church plant after serving Christ Church for 10 years of effective ministry.

Pastor Doug led a core group that met at Christ Church during the Sunday school hour in September 2004, and over the next several months the unique vision, purpose and strategy of Crossroads came into being. A leadership team was assembled, and by January 2005 steps were underway toward incorporation. The two biggest challenges still lay ahead—finding an adequate location and calling a Director of Student Ministries.

After months of processing resumes and conducting interviews, God raised up one of Christ Church’s own to serve as Director of Student Ministries. Brian Brooks received his degree from Penn State University, but while serving as a volunteer in a youth ministry at State College he sensed God was calling him into full time youth ministry. Brian began as Director of Student Ministries in July 2005, and is currently continuing his education at Lancaster Bible College.

The facility search was more daunting. Fulfilling Christ Church’s vision for a high impact, fully-functioning church from day one required much more than a banquet hall or even a school auditorium. It required a location that could be fitted out to provide adequate space for our unique preschool, children’s, and student ministries as well as worship and office space.

After several months of diligent searching and closed opportunities, an ideal facility opened up to us—the former Fritz Moving Company building behind Redner’s in Leesport. Encompassing over 40,000 square feet on 10 acres, located near the Schuylkill Valley School District campus and visible from Route 61, the Fritz Moving building is perfectly suited for our current and future needs. In numerous ways God opened doors for us, paving the way to lease, fit out, and occupy this space.

Throughout the entire process of launching Crossroads, God has inspired and guided us every step of the way. We are humbly grateful for all He has provided and for allowing us to be a part of His awesome call.