In 2020, the world,
and ministry, changed…
Church… Online
Church looked different in 2020. Everything looked different in 2020. But even amidst the challenges we all faced this year, we praise God for His faithfulness to us. We thank God for your partnership in ministry throughout 2020, and we look forward to what He has in store for us next year. Check out the information below to see how God used The Crossing this year.
Statistics are reported by our fiscal year November 1, 2019 – October 31, 2020
Dear Crossing Church Family,
2020 has been the most challenging year in ministry that I have personally ever faced. It has been a time when so many things we can normally depend on have been uncertain. We’ve experienced racial unrest, political strife, and huge medical and economic challenges, all against the backdrop of the global pandemic of COVID-19. We had a plan for 2020, a great plan, but all of that changed last March. From that point, our locations closed down from March 8 until Father’s Day weekend, around June 14.
Our facilities being closed for three months was surreal to me. Our schools closed, as well as offices, restaurants, gyms… everything that was not considered “essential.” Weddings, funerals, hospital visits, and visits to long-term care facilities ended as people were forced to make unprecedented adjustments. Even after the “lockdown” relaxed somewhat, our behavior was forced to completely change. No hugging, shaking hands, gathering, sports, reunions…families isolating from one another, quarantining because of exposure, contact tracing, testing lines, and days of waiting for results became our new normal.
The news was, and is, full of negativity. Our television screens were streaming protests, marches, riots, looting, refrigerated trucks for bodies, mobile hospitals, and a general loss of civility. It felt like we were coming apart at the seams. Our locations finally began reopening, some only to close again with fresh outbreaks. Camp was canceled, preschool shut down, men’s conference shuttered, small groups quit meeting, and many of our normal ministry functions ceased. Reopening was limited to 50% of capacity and strict rules of social distancing. We had to take temperatures, create a reservation system, specially-packaged communion…the list of challenges and obstacles goes on and on.
While I don’t want to minimize the difficulty and depression of all of that, I want to say that God never once abandoned us. Like the children of Israel living in the land of Goshen and in the wilderness, God took care of His people…He took care of us!
He made provision for us to communicate the gospel. He prepared us by enabling us to create a great digital platform years ago that was already dialed in and going. He prepared us with great tech and media teams and all the physical technology in place to communicate virtually on weekends and throughout the week.
He made provision for us to continue to be faithful to our staff. God provided enough staff to keep us going. While some moved on, we did not have to lay staff off, make changes to compensation, or reduce benefits. Spending reduced substantially and, like the manna in the desert, there was always enough.
He made provision for us by protecting our health. In such a tragic time for so many, the active members of The Crossing have been largely spared. While we have had our share of infections, some pretty serious hospitalizations, and only recently 2 deaths, I give God glory for His overall protection. Allison and I had Covid in July but were spared from any serious illness.
He made provision for us by keeping us contributing. Even though our generosity initiative was upended by the pandemic, faithful people continued to give. They gave enough to keep us going, keeping our bills paid without incurring new debt, and showing us ways to save we hadn’t considered before. While no surplus was produced, up to this point we have always had enough for another week of ministry.
He made provision for us to fill countless needs across our region. We were able to use our food pantries and expand them for mass food distribution. At some locations, lines of cars drove up to receive help in times of need. We partnered with schools to distribute food and to provide our church spaces for the changes in school schedules.
He made provision for us by bringing a harvest of souls. The thing that amazes me most through this difficult time is that God has never stopped encouraging human hearts to find that intimate personal relationship with His Son Jesus. We have seen 543 baptisms this fiscal year. Last year, we had 712, and that included those in a prison (149 last year) that has been shut down to us since March. Even with a three-month lockdown, there was never a week without a baptism and that streak goes back to at least 2008! To me, this is the most miraculous thing of all!
At this writing, a new vaccine is being distributed in record time, the election is over, rioting is no longer in our streets, and people are taking a hard look at our social inequities. It feels like we are closing this dark and challenging chapter and consigning it now to history. But like every year, we have no idea what the future holds. What we do know and have been shown throughout 2020 is Who holds our future!
A close friend and mentor of mine, Ken Idleman, encouraged me that when this pandemic was over, have something to show for it. Our locations are in the best shape they’ve ever been in, our staff is excited and hopeful for our future, our attendance is back to over 50% of our 2019 average, our giving is strong and steady, and the darkest clouds of the storm seem to be behind us. Until our Lord says, “Peace, be still!”, we will keep our hands on the rudder, steering in the direction of the sunrise, and trusting in the merciful hand of God.

Jerry Harris
Senior Pastor
Even though we couldn’t always meet together in person,
we are still amazed that we got to celebrate hundreds of baptisms this year.
Baptisms*
God is always faithful and we see that in these new lives found in Him.
* Baptisms in 2020 calendar year
Church Stats
Difference Makers
Serving Weekly
People in
Life Groups
First-Time
Visitors
Average Monthly
Reach
Rise 2020 Attendees
(Virtual & In-Person)
(11/6-7/2020)
Average Weekly Attendance
The Collective Young Adult Service
(Quincy & Macomb)
Easter 2020
(Online)
Christmas Eve 2020
(In-person & online)
The Cure Bible Engagement Plan
1,094 people read 7,957 verses, collectively reading 8,689,044 of God’s words!
COVID Relief
Hannibal
- Adjusted our weekly ministry activities to reach people in their homes. We worshiped with over 1000 people in May through a virtual worship night, created daily videos and content for elementary and early childhood families, hosted over 1,000 people online for a “March Gladness” tournament of worship songs, and engaged hundreds of families every day with video messages, digital content, and social media connection when we were not able to meet together in person.
- Established a weekly drive-through food pantry serving 270 families from all over Northeastern Missouri for nine weeks out of the spring. The drive-through food pantry was made possible by church donations, contributions from DOT Foods, and volunteers.
- Collected cleaning supplies for Northeast Independent Living Services to help their 30 clients clean and sanitize their homes.
- Adopted Eugene Field School for the winter, collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves provided to 120 households.
- Packed and delivered 728 Operation Christmas Child boxes.
- Served those in our community by providing house repairs and yard work, delivering meals to those diagnosed with COVID-19, and hosting a blood drive.
Jacksonville
- Assisted delivery of meals on wheels with Passavant Health System
- Partnered with the Prairie Council on Aging to deliver lunch and dinner meals for residents throughout Morgan county.
Keokuk
- Donated 700 face masks or shields to area nursing homes, hospitals, and individuals in need.
- Provided space and free internet for students to complete online and remote learning.
- Hosted seven blood drives.
- Served first responders in our community by delivering care packages to the police and fire departments, hospital, and fiver area schools.
- Packed and assisted in the delivery of over 1,000 meals every week during the spring.
Kirksville
- Partnered in prepping and distributing meals for students and families in Adair county. Partnering with the YMCA and Kirksville School District. Over 30,000 meals.
- Hosted Blood Drives with The Red Cross resulting in 293 donations, 314 units collected, potentially 875 lives saved.
- Constructed over 100 masks (distributed in March/April) and 270 Jump Ropes.
- Partnered with Heartland RSVP (a senior citizen advocacy organization) to create daily opportunities for seniors to have access to a safe and warm indoor walking experience.
- Partnered with the City of Kirksville and Adair County YMCA to develop a strategy to offer after school programming and possibly daycare in the near future.
- Partnered with Kraft Foods to Organize and distribute 150 Turkeys and Hams to families and individuals to help during the Holiday season.
- Partnered with The Kirksville Fire Department for our Community Adopt a Child for Christmas. Our campus to this point has adopted over 70 children.
- Collected, and distribute food to those in need.
Lima
- Hosted drive up and delivery food pantry for families facing food insecurity.
- Constructed masks throughout the church as well as to a mission in Arizona.
- Contributed to stocking the Lima Community Cupboard to help fight hunger in our area.
Macomb
- Enrolled 75 students in a remote learning program.
- Hosted drive-in church to allow people to gather safely during peaks in the pandemic.
- Provided groceries for 50 families per week through a drive-up food pantry.
- Constructed masks for area hospitals, senior living facilities, and community members.
- Hosted blood drives
- Created and delivered care packages to first responders, senior living facilities, schools, and hospitals.
Monmouth
- Served as the school lunch pick up site for the first two months of spring remote learning.
- Constructed, collected, and delivered over 500 reusable face masks.
- Partnered with the YMCA to host remote learning for 50 kids five days a week.
- Collected and distributed gloves, hats, boots, scarves, and coats for the winter clothing drive.
- Collaborated with other community churches to host a prayer and worship night focused on praying for our schools.
- Hosted blood drives
- Started the Spread Joy initiative including Christmas notes and crafts distributed at the community Christmas at the Square event.
Mount Sterling
- Hosted weekly drive-through food pantries to help fight food insecurity in Brown County.
- Partnered with community churches to deliver letters and pictures to area senior living facilities.
- Collected and distributed tablets and laptops to students to be used for remote learning.
- Constructed masks distributed throughout the community.
Pike County
- Hosted drive-through food pantries.
- Partnered with DOT to deliver food to people in our community.
- Worked alongside Pikeland School District Snack Pack Program to create pop-up food pantries, feeding over 150 families in the area.
Quincy 48th Street & 929
- Constructed over 1,000 face masks and jump ropes distributed throughout the community.
- Sent 85 personal notes of encouragement along with gift cards to Rooney School staff.
- Hosted the Birthday Bus - listed over 70 people throughout the spring and summer to celebrate birthdays in our community.
- Hosted remote learning for 16 students.
- Washed customer car windows and provided encouragement at Carter’s Coffee throughout the summer months.
- Provided Christmas gifts for residents at Cedarhurst Memory Care Center.
Quincy 48th Street & 929
- Constructed over 1,000 face masks and jump ropes distributed throughout the community.
- Sent 85 personal notes of encouragement along with gift cards to Rooney School staff.
- Hosted the Birthday Bus - listed over 70 people throughout the spring and summer to celebrate birthdays in our community.
- Hosted remote learning for 16 students.
- Washed customer car windows and provided encouragement at Carter’s Coffee throughout the summer months.
- Provided Christmas gifts for residents at Cedarhurst Memory Care Center.
Giving
Through 2020
$7,446,417.58
Total Given
Total Given
Online
$3,704,736.72
First-Time
Givers
556
Join the thousands who already give online in supporting God’s mission and His Kingdom
in our communities by setting up an online gift today.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Crossing Kids
Kids Attending
Each Week
Difference Makers Serving
In Kids Ministry
Each Week
Quincy & Macomb CKX
After School Program
Students
Quincy & Macomb
Remote Learning Students
Quincy & Macomb
Preschool Students
Crossing Youth
Fuse Average
Weekend Attendance
High School Average
Weekend Attendance
Encounter Conference
(January)
Fusion Events
Attendance
Student Conference
(Virtual)
Online Media
Websites
(The Crossing, Crossing Online, Crossing Camp, Uncommon, Events, Store, MDI)
- 224,558 sessions
- 952,800 page views
(The Crossing)
- 85,563 devices
Church Online
Top Viewing Countries
- USA
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Chile
App
- 5,214 new downloads
- 43,408 media plays
- 90,641 launches
- 1+ million impressions
*Recognized by Subsplash as one of the fastest-growing new church apps in 2020. View Post
Social Media
1.34m
people reached
378.6k
engagements
104.7k
reactions
135.2k
people reached
8,740
post likes
+23%
total fans
57.1k
media plays
37.1k
unique viewers
6.7k
hours watched
38k
impressions
1,108
engagements
Reach: Unique number of people that saw posts
Engagement: Number of times people engaged with posts (share, comment, etc)
Reaction: Number of post reactions (like, love, etc)
Fan: A person that follows an account
Impression: Number of times a post is seen
Mission Partners
Reach India
- While travel was restricted, Reach India distributed over 1,000 COVID relief food bags to widows, government workers, and law enforcement officials in need.
- Met the physical needs of the people who most desperately needed it while also meeting their spiritual needs.
Rapha House
- Quickly implemented safety procedures to protect staff, families, and children incur.
- Innovated new ways to keep the kids we serve engaged and healthy.
- Praised God for the timely corporate grant that allowed upgrades to our wiring, routers, and computers throughout each aftercare campus and Kids Club location.
- Maintained regular programming with our international teachers, counselors, and administrative staff.
- US staff continued to support international projects and mission through creative fundraising and programming.
Love The Lou
- Witnessed life change in our graduates and in the communities we serve despite the toll COVID-19 took on our communities.
- Discipled students and their families to know Jesus and make changes to their lives.
- Helped facilitate an apprenticeship for a graduate helping him take steps to build a better life.
- Connected with Christian business owners to create more opportunities for internships.
- A family we partnered with stepped up in their community to deliver groceries to her neighbors. She built a team of volunteers that served 160 families consistently.
FNC Uganda
- God’s faithfulness provided hope for over 240 students and more than 50 staff members
- Expanded its territory within the FNC communities.
- Provided feeding programs throughout the year in cooperation with local officials.
- Offered medical and health care to students, staff, and community members opening opportunities to share the gospel with the surrounding community.
Pan De Vida
- Launched micro-entrepreneurship seminar with over 30 entrepreneurs
- Created a personalized channel in RightNow Media with all materials available to families
- Distributed 10,500 food kits
- Assisted 9,500 families throughout Quito, Guayaquil, Machala, Olon, Peguche, and Cotacach
- Deployed an Emergency Hunger Relief Program
CAMP Myanmar
- Continued to teach and disciple the people of Myanmar despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.
- Prepared online services and studies for the 2021 year.
- Raised funds and found shelter for Rakhine refugees displaced by fighting in a nearby region.
- Created a constitution for Myitkyina Christian Seminary to be published to showcase the school.
Well House
- Provided outreach to at-risk women in the Quincy area
- Housed women exiting incarceration and provided spiritual guidance, practical vocational training, and other services tailored to the specific need of each woman.
Fishers Of Men
- Provided transitional housing for men transition from prison, homelessness, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
- Assisted residents through spiritual, practical, financial, emotional, and social guidance.
$7,694.55
Donated through One Mission Café Sales*
Each time you buy something from one of our One Mission Cafés,
100% of the proceeds go to support our mission partners.
* These funds are in addition to the budgeted funds for our mission partners
Benevolence
The Crossing Thrift Store opened its ninth location in Keokuk, Iowa in December of 2020!
Funds provided
for assistance*
$42,714
Amount given in clothing
and household vouchers
$17,000
Families assisted with
various financial needs
99
Pounds recycled through
Thrift Stores
242,044
Families fed through
Food pantries
3,368
Jobs provided through
our thrift stores