How it all started...
On March 14, 1980, 11 people met and they voted to start a Baptist church. Our first name was Apache Junction Southern Baptist Mission. The name didn't last too long as during the first meeting , it was discussed the name was confusing and on March 26, 1980, we officially became Crossroads Southern Baptist Church. The name was suggested by a member, saying that, "When you come to Crossroads, come to the cross." This became the church motto.
The first message was preached by Bill Hayes on March 16, 1980. During this service Clovis Hibbard was called to be the pastor, having previously been pastor of First Baptist Church of Apache Junction. In September, we purchased 4.5 acres at Starr Road and Old West Highway. On November 27, 1980, we broke ground with 200 people in attendance.
We used an Arizona Southern Baptist Evangelism Department tent for worship services. Later in March 1981, church bonds were sold to finance the construction of the auditorium and classrooms and on May 30, 1981, the first phase of the building program was started.
In the summer of 1981, the first VBS was held. In January 1982, while the the auditorium was not complete yet, services started being held with people bringing blankets to keep warm during the winter services.
The first revival service was held in February 1982. The first baptism was April 11, 1982. Wednesday night Bible study was held after the 6:00 pm fellowship meal. In July 1982, pews were added and the first deacon was appointed.
On November 21, 1982, the church was dedicated. There were 160 members who worked on the building and volunteers came from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
In 1983, Pastor Hibbard went home to the Lord. LaVern Lewis served as interim pastor until Lyndall McElhaney became pastor October 26, 1983. On November 20, the second phase was dedicated. This phase included what is now the east hallway, offices, and classrooms/nursery. In 1984, the new constitution and bylaws were approved.
Crossroads had a puppet ministry during 1986-87. In February 1987, Pastor McElhaney resigned and Dr. Roy Sutton became interim pastor until Don Crosby became pastor in November 1987. During the summer of 1987, the church had a program for summer growth called "100 Summer Days for the Savior" and a seminary student was hired to assist.
Our library was officially opened in October 1989. In January 1990, Wayne Baldwin became the new pastor. In May 1990, the first church secretary resigned after 10 years of service. Kay Hayes was hired to replace her. In August 1991, a youth rally was held here with over 100 attending. 1982 saw the church acquire a church copyright license for the music departed, hold a deacon ordination for two deacons, the first Thanksgiving prayer meeting was held.
The handicap parking area was completed in January 1995 and two more deacons were ordained. In February, the "Here's Hope Revival" was held. At the end of the year, Pastor Baldwin resigned and Brother Buchner became interim pastor; later becoming pastor in January 1996.
In January 1997, the church had 11 men ordained as deacons. The parsonage was established in July of 1997 - debt free.
1998 was busy with a children's worship service, a weight loss class and an aerobics class starting. Gas and food certificate gifts were started from the benevolence fund, a new sound system was installed, Jesse Madrano was hired as minister for music and education, the main bathrooms were renovated, and a new piano was purchased.
In 1999, new hymnals were purchased, three more deacons were ordained, women's and men's Bible studies began.
As we ushered in the next century, Crossroads had a debt retirement party celebrating being debt free!
The year 2000, saw the purchase of the organ and, in late summer, the pews were donated to a church in New Mexico and chairs were placed in the sanctuary. Throughout the year, many concerts, banquets, and breakfasts were held, and 24 new members were added to the church.
In 2001 the kitchen was enlarged and remodeled, hymnals purchased, ladies tea and men's breakfasts were held. In 2002, the pastor got new office furniture, a computer and software were added, the parking lot and sign were updated, and 20 new members were added to the roles.
In 2004, upgrades included new carpet and linoleum, the fence at the parsonage, the church kitchen range was replaced, the office computer software was installed, and a Gaither concert was held.
In 2005, Pastor Buchner went home to the Lord, Wayne Collins was called as interim pastor and 14 new members joined the church. In October 2006, Pastor Randy and Jackie Hale joined Crossroads. A silent alarm system was installed in the office after two break-ins, a flagpole was installed, and 31 new members joined the church.
In 2007, a fence was placed around the playground, two more deacons were ordained, events and trips occurred, and 55 new members joined. In 2008, besides concerts being held throughout the year, a Celebrate Recover program began, and the church grew by 55 members. 2009 saw a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace program held, more concerts, a ladies' tea and fashion show, and another 44 new members.
2010-2020 brought many changes. The building fund was started with plans for expanding the Sunday school classrooms. VBS was strong through 2016, and 2016 also saw the beginnings of the annual "Walk Through Bethlehem" program. It included vendor stalls, a well, an inn, and live animals.
2018 saw the Hales moving out of state, and Tom Doubt served for a year as transitional pastor. E. Hardee was called as interim pastor and voted in as permanent pastor in 2020. In 2021, Rick Basch stepped in as interim pastor until April 2022 when he was unanimously voted in as pastor.
In late spring of 2021, a renovation committee was formed with the goal of upgrading the church sanctuary and alcoves. The project was completed by late-October. There were new floors and light fixtures installed, walls were improved, a media center was built and upgrades to the baptistry and choir wall were finished.
The parsonage, due to not being used for a few years except as storage, was sold at the end of 2022. Renovation was done to the offices, choir room, and classrooms in 2022. The renovation included new flooring and paint throughout and the hallway ladies' bathroom was updated by removing the two old stall dividers and one of the toilets. The refresh of the sanctuary and the east wing have made the church much more welcoming and beautiful place to worship, work, and volunteer.
The first message was preached by Bill Hayes on March 16, 1980. During this service Clovis Hibbard was called to be the pastor, having previously been pastor of First Baptist Church of Apache Junction. In September, we purchased 4.5 acres at Starr Road and Old West Highway. On November 27, 1980, we broke ground with 200 people in attendance.
We used an Arizona Southern Baptist Evangelism Department tent for worship services. Later in March 1981, church bonds were sold to finance the construction of the auditorium and classrooms and on May 30, 1981, the first phase of the building program was started.
In the summer of 1981, the first VBS was held. In January 1982, while the the auditorium was not complete yet, services started being held with people bringing blankets to keep warm during the winter services.
The first revival service was held in February 1982. The first baptism was April 11, 1982. Wednesday night Bible study was held after the 6:00 pm fellowship meal. In July 1982, pews were added and the first deacon was appointed.
On November 21, 1982, the church was dedicated. There were 160 members who worked on the building and volunteers came from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
In 1983, Pastor Hibbard went home to the Lord. LaVern Lewis served as interim pastor until Lyndall McElhaney became pastor October 26, 1983. On November 20, the second phase was dedicated. This phase included what is now the east hallway, offices, and classrooms/nursery. In 1984, the new constitution and bylaws were approved.
Crossroads had a puppet ministry during 1986-87. In February 1987, Pastor McElhaney resigned and Dr. Roy Sutton became interim pastor until Don Crosby became pastor in November 1987. During the summer of 1987, the church had a program for summer growth called "100 Summer Days for the Savior" and a seminary student was hired to assist.
Our library was officially opened in October 1989. In January 1990, Wayne Baldwin became the new pastor. In May 1990, the first church secretary resigned after 10 years of service. Kay Hayes was hired to replace her. In August 1991, a youth rally was held here with over 100 attending. 1982 saw the church acquire a church copyright license for the music departed, hold a deacon ordination for two deacons, the first Thanksgiving prayer meeting was held.
The handicap parking area was completed in January 1995 and two more deacons were ordained. In February, the "Here's Hope Revival" was held. At the end of the year, Pastor Baldwin resigned and Brother Buchner became interim pastor; later becoming pastor in January 1996.
In January 1997, the church had 11 men ordained as deacons. The parsonage was established in July of 1997 - debt free.
1998 was busy with a children's worship service, a weight loss class and an aerobics class starting. Gas and food certificate gifts were started from the benevolence fund, a new sound system was installed, Jesse Madrano was hired as minister for music and education, the main bathrooms were renovated, and a new piano was purchased.
In 1999, new hymnals were purchased, three more deacons were ordained, women's and men's Bible studies began.
As we ushered in the next century, Crossroads had a debt retirement party celebrating being debt free!
The year 2000, saw the purchase of the organ and, in late summer, the pews were donated to a church in New Mexico and chairs were placed in the sanctuary. Throughout the year, many concerts, banquets, and breakfasts were held, and 24 new members were added to the church.
In 2001 the kitchen was enlarged and remodeled, hymnals purchased, ladies tea and men's breakfasts were held. In 2002, the pastor got new office furniture, a computer and software were added, the parking lot and sign were updated, and 20 new members were added to the roles.
In 2004, upgrades included new carpet and linoleum, the fence at the parsonage, the church kitchen range was replaced, the office computer software was installed, and a Gaither concert was held.
In 2005, Pastor Buchner went home to the Lord, Wayne Collins was called as interim pastor and 14 new members joined the church. In October 2006, Pastor Randy and Jackie Hale joined Crossroads. A silent alarm system was installed in the office after two break-ins, a flagpole was installed, and 31 new members joined the church.
In 2007, a fence was placed around the playground, two more deacons were ordained, events and trips occurred, and 55 new members joined. In 2008, besides concerts being held throughout the year, a Celebrate Recover program began, and the church grew by 55 members. 2009 saw a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace program held, more concerts, a ladies' tea and fashion show, and another 44 new members.
2010-2020 brought many changes. The building fund was started with plans for expanding the Sunday school classrooms. VBS was strong through 2016, and 2016 also saw the beginnings of the annual "Walk Through Bethlehem" program. It included vendor stalls, a well, an inn, and live animals.
2018 saw the Hales moving out of state, and Tom Doubt served for a year as transitional pastor. E. Hardee was called as interim pastor and voted in as permanent pastor in 2020. In 2021, Rick Basch stepped in as interim pastor until April 2022 when he was unanimously voted in as pastor.
In late spring of 2021, a renovation committee was formed with the goal of upgrading the church sanctuary and alcoves. The project was completed by late-October. There were new floors and light fixtures installed, walls were improved, a media center was built and upgrades to the baptistry and choir wall were finished.
The parsonage, due to not being used for a few years except as storage, was sold at the end of 2022. Renovation was done to the offices, choir room, and classrooms in 2022. The renovation included new flooring and paint throughout and the hallway ladies' bathroom was updated by removing the two old stall dividers and one of the toilets. The refresh of the sanctuary and the east wing have made the church much more welcoming and beautiful place to worship, work, and volunteer.
