After six years of continuous growth, The Crossing finally has a church to call home.
[Note: this story has been modified since its original posting.]
The Crossing Church started six years ago in the basement of a local home. As attendance increased, the congregation moved to a room in MU’s Memorial Union. For the past five years, a team of volunteers have been waking early every Sunday to transform the Rock Bridge High School auditorium into a makeshift church.
This Sunday at 9 a.m., The Crossing’s congregation will meet in yet another setting – a brand new church of their own.
Construction on the new building, at 3615 Southland Drive near Rock Quarry Road and Grindstone Parkway, began more than a year ago. The $6.4 million building, with classroom and ministry space, administrative offices and a 1,100-seat worship auditorium, is nearly complete, with just a few small things left to finish.
The congregation began raising money for the church two years ago. The search for land and the decision to build came after church pastors were informed that they would not be able to hold services in the auditorium after June 2006.
Having to leave the high school was a blessing in disguise for the church, the Rev. Shay Roush said.
“We were outgrowing Rock Bridge,” he said. “And Lord willing, we’ll continue to grow.”
The increase in space will allow the church, which has been among the fastest growing in mid-Missouri, to continue to expand. The Crossing, which serves at least 1,000 worshippers each week, now has three pastors and a staff team of about a half-dozen people.
The church’s growth, however, does not come without a price. Roush said the more people in a congregation, the harder it is to get to know everyone.
Like many so-called mega-churches – with congregations larger than 1,000 people – The Crossing relies on smaller ministry groups, such as youth and women’s groups, to help members connect with one another. The church has more than 500 people enrolled in the small group ministries, Roush said.
With the new building, classes can now be held throughout the week, which they were unable to do at the high school.
But Roush said that while the congregation is blessed to finally have its own place of worship, The Crossing’s most important asset has always been its members.
“The church is not a building,” said Roush. “The church is a body of people.”