It has been a tremendous privilege to witness and be a part of God's work here in Central Alberta and specifically at CrossRoads Church over the past two decades. Your unwavering support in fulfilling our church's mission has been truly inspiring, reflecting your deep commitment to our community's spiritual journey. I am profoundly grateful for the many kind and thoughtful words, as well as the meaningful connections, I have experienced throughout this past year.
In February, I shared my decision to retire with the Board, staff, and congregation. I am deeply moved by your well-wishes and reflections on my years at CrossRoads. While I will miss being part of such an incredible team, I am eagerly anticipating this new chapter in my life alongside Kathleen and our family. In early April, the Board announced that Dwayne Holland will assume the role of Executive Pastor upon my retirement in July, subject to affirmation from the Congregation. I wish him every success and have full confidence that he will provide excellent care for our church, staff, and congregation, sharing our vision and mission wholeheartedly.
Last year, our attendance numbers continued to rise, with around 1500 adults attending most Sundays, and our children and youth programs seeing between 400 and 500 participants. Our ministries have been intentional in engaging with our congregation in innovative ways, offering impactful programs like Alpha, Celebrate Recovery, and Foundations throughout the year. I encourage you to read their reports to witness God's faithfulness and goodness here at CrossRoads, not just locally but also in Central Alberta and beyond.
Staffing
I am immensely grateful for our committed, diligent, and dedicated staff. This past year, we welcomed Rute Pascoal and JoEllen Allen to the facilities team and said goodbye to William Knelsen, our Communications Director. We are excited to welcome Dwayne Holland back to the Communications Team, in an interim role, following William's departure and to introduce Chad Rosell as our Senior High Youth Pastor. Each of these individuals has been a valuable addition to our team, serving God faithfully through their work at CrossRoads.
Please continue to uplift our pastors and staff in prayer, that we may continually seek God's heart in all we do. They work tirelessly for you, often going above and beyond to serve.
Finances
Our giving over the fiscal year has remained consistent with previous years, but expenses have increased due to inflation rates. While we have managed our expenses diligently, we are projecting a shortfall at the end of this fiscal year. The Lead Team, Finance Committee, and Church Board are all seeking the Lord's guidance in this matter, trusting that He will provide the resources needed for our mission.
The budget for the next fiscal year will be higher than the current year due to increased costs for tools and resources, largely due to inflation.
Worship Pastor Search
The Worship Pastor Search Committee continues to actively promote the position through ministry job board postings and networking efforts. We are confident that God will bring the right person for the role in His perfect timing. In the meantime, Dave Grobe is doing an exceptional job leading the ministry, with the support of Ashley Lehman and others on the worship team. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and hard work.
Final Thoughts
My wife, Kathleen, and I deeply appreciate all your prayers, kind words, and support throughout the past 20 years. As I transition from my current role, I urge you to stay strong in your faith and continue working alongside fellow believers to spread the message of Jesus to the people of Central Alberta. While my position at CrossRoads Church may be changing, my dedication to this mission remains steadfast. I eagerly anticipate continuing this journey with all those the Lord places in my path. Together, we can make a profound impact on our world, one person at a time, guiding them toward an eternity of joy with our Lord and Saviour.
Pastor Jordan
Check out this video interview with Jordan Polson. In a tribute to his role as Executive Pastor, we've pulled back the curtain so you can get to know the man who was behind the scenes of our ministry for nearly two decades. For this we give God thanks and continue to pray for Jordan and Kathleen in their next chapter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6iz_QSS3E
