In the heart of Virginia, at the crossroads of two major highways, Crossroads Community Church has found a place to serve. The new church start is reaching out to the Zion Crossroads community, located just outside of Charlottesville, as the area experiences residential and commercial growth.
Started by church planters Bruce and Susan Hunter, the church has focused on ministering to the community since it began a year ago.
“We're concerned about bringing people into relationship with God,” said Bruce Hunter. “Jesus was concerned about people on the periphery of society. And we recognize that we can make a difference where we are.”
Photo courtesy of Crossroads
Crossroads held a community block party to reach out to local residents and businesses.
And with a $20,000 grant from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Crossroads has expanded its ministry to the community—from a neighborhood block party to reaching out to low-income residents who were being displaced from their homes.
Ministers in Charlottesville for almost 15 years, the Hunters noticed that Zion Crossroads was growing. Development began with a 1,200-home gated community targeted to middle-class families. Then, commercial expansion followed.
The Hunters felt called to plant a church in response to the growth and to minister to long-time residents. Last October, they and two friends hosted two meetings for residents interested in starting a new church. Thirteen individuals joined the effort, celebrated a Christmas Eve service together and started small group meetings in homes.
“We are very intentionally trying to figure out what it means to be a missional church right here,” Hunter said. “Everything we do has that question built into it.”
The church has also received grants from the Baptist General Association of Virginia and Central Virginia Baptist Association.