Crosslife Ministry OVERVIEW

CrossLife Evangelical Free Church engages in a variety of ministries and outreach initiatives to serve its congregation and the surrounding community. These can be broadly categorized into the following areas:

Ministries Focused on Specific Age Groups:

  • CrossLife Kids (Infants-5th Grade): This ministry provides a range of programs and activities designed to educate children about the Bible, faith, and Christian principles. It includes Nursery, Toddlers, Sunday School, Children’s Church, midweek clubs, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Sports Camp, and other events.
  • Student Ministries (6th-12th Grade): This ministry caters to middle school and high school students, with distinct programs for each age group:
    • Salt Co (6th-8th): Focuses on small groups, weekly programs, monthly events, Winter Extreme, and Epic Summer Nights.
    • Gateway (9th-12th): Offers small groups, weekly programs, monthly events, Winter Retreat, and alternating events such as the EFCA Challenge conference, domestic mission trips, and international trips. Some Gateway students also serve in Children’s Ministries.
    • College: During the past two summers, the college group has met weekly for fellowship and Bible study.

Ministries for Adults:

  • Worship Arts: This ministry extends beyond Sunday mornings to include workshops, prayer times, and informative sessions that help foster and develop worship in one's Christian life. It also coordinates Christmas and Easter events involving both adults and children.
  • Life Groups: Over 50% of CrossLife adults participate in these weekly or bi-weekly small groups of 6-18 people. Life Groups aim to build community by providing a space for spiritual openness, support, Bible study, discipleship, prayer, accountability, fellowship, and serving together.
Ministries for Women:
  • MomCo: This ministry focuses on mothers of preschoolers and reaches out to both the community and CrossLife attendees.
  • Fall, Winter, and Spring Gathering Events: These gatherings promote fellowship among CrossLife women and provide opportunities to invite community members.
  • Women’s Bible Studies: These studies are designed for women who desire to deepen their understanding of Scripture.
  • Coffee with Friends: These gatherings primarily focus on relationship building for senior women in our church.
  • Women's Prayer: This group meets weekly to pray for church and community needs.
Ministries for Men:
  • Men's Bible Studies: Similar to the women's Bible studies, these are aimed at men seeking a better understanding of Scripture.
  • Bros and Brews: Targeting men aged 30-50, this group prioritizes relationship building.
  • Various Annual Gatherings: Events such as a men's breakfast foster fellowship among CrossLife men and offer opportunities to connect with the community.
  • Men's Prayer: This group meets bi-weekly to pray for church and community needs.

Church Community Building Events:

  • Church Picnic: Held in early Fall, this event brings together the entire church, including both the Hispanic and Anglo congregations, for a purely social gathering.
  • Miscellaneous Events: Various opportunities for relationship building include Supper 8, potlucks, chili cook-offs, international dinners, and Gateway youth mission fundraisers.

Outreach and Community Service Initiatives:

  • PADS: An organization working to provide advocacy, dignity, and shelter to people in Lake County. 
  • FIT Moms: Offers care training and support to under-resourced families in the community.
  • Love INC: CrossLife partners with Love INC and other Lake County churches to provide physical support to those in need, such as furniture.
  • Replanted: Provides care and support for foster and adoptive families in our church and broader community.
  • Exodus World Service: Provides care and support for efforts for refugee resettlement in the Chicago area.
  • Mission Partners: CrossLife supports 11 missionaries, with nearly half considering it their sending church. Notably, three missionaries grew up in the church. Approximately 16% of the annual budget is dedicated to funding ministries beyond CrossLife.
  • Hispanic Ministries/Ministerios Plenitud de Vida: Established in 1996, this ministry operates as a separate congregation focused on the Hispanic community surrounding CrossLife. It offers Sunday worship, educational opportunities, and fellowship events.

CrossLife recognizes the need to engage with its changing community. Its emphasis on outreach, particularly to young families, the Hispanic community, and those in need, demonstrates its commitment to fulfilling its mission both inside and outside the church. This diverse range of ministries and outreach initiatives highlights CrossLife's dedication to discipleship, community building, and service.