MONROE - As Crossroads Community Church celebrates its anniversary in Monroe, it does so in a physical location to call its own, something it did not have to begin services 10 years ago.
The building at 222 Old Argyle Road was known as The Heritage House, a banquet hall, until 2012 when Crossroads purchased it. Though the church had the location, services were not held until 2013. Pastor Blake Canterbury, who joined the church as pastor in February 2015, said the location needed updates.
"It's like a home," Canterbury said. "You want to put your touch on it, make it work for your family."
The 10th anniversary has been marked by a 10-for-10 celebration, which Canterbury named to denote the method of celebrating each Sunday for a total of 10 leading up to Oct. 16.
Crossroads Church Monroe Campus is one of seven other churches throughout a regional network, sharing gospel through the use of technology between campuses from Freeport to Galena. The church has its own set of beliefs based in scripture, such as the events of judgment day and the need for humanity's redemption since it fell in sin. It has had devoted followers for the past decade.
When the Monroe group began meeting, parish members were a few dozen in number, possibly 40 church members total. Currently, the church has 180 members who attend services each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Canterbury noted comments from original members who said they used to go to services and saw people they knew well, but now they get to meet members who are unfamiliar to them.
"We've had some ups and downs, but we've seen God grow us out of that," Canterbury said. "Now that we have a building, we've been able to set down roots."
A nondenominational church, Crossroads has the mission of "transforming rural communities for the cause of Christ." Canterbury said that mission has been fully embraced in the 10th anniversary celebration. The activities have included weekly videos encompassing the meaning of the mission statement.
"We want to take the time to focus on God's mission and those feelings," Canterbury said. "He'll keep doing incredible things because he's an incredible God."
The pastor said they plan to continue to grow as a church and engage with the community. His focus is working with Monroe residents to make others aware of Crossroads and to participate in a positive way, regardless of whether people attend services or change their beliefs to align with Crossroads.
Other activities include "The Bash" in August, with events for youth groups that include a cow tongue throw resembling ultimate frisbee, and weekly youth group and community care group meetings.
Canterbury said the anniversary has marked its success, but the church will continue to remain engaged as a way to cement its status as a positive force within Monroe.
The building at 222 Old Argyle Road was known as The Heritage House, a banquet hall, until 2012 when Crossroads purchased it. Though the church had the location, services were not held until 2013. Pastor Blake Canterbury, who joined the church as pastor in February 2015, said the location needed updates.
"It's like a home," Canterbury said. "You want to put your touch on it, make it work for your family."
The 10th anniversary has been marked by a 10-for-10 celebration, which Canterbury named to denote the method of celebrating each Sunday for a total of 10 leading up to Oct. 16.
Crossroads Church Monroe Campus is one of seven other churches throughout a regional network, sharing gospel through the use of technology between campuses from Freeport to Galena. The church has its own set of beliefs based in scripture, such as the events of judgment day and the need for humanity's redemption since it fell in sin. It has had devoted followers for the past decade.
When the Monroe group began meeting, parish members were a few dozen in number, possibly 40 church members total. Currently, the church has 180 members who attend services each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Canterbury noted comments from original members who said they used to go to services and saw people they knew well, but now they get to meet members who are unfamiliar to them.
"We've had some ups and downs, but we've seen God grow us out of that," Canterbury said. "Now that we have a building, we've been able to set down roots."
A nondenominational church, Crossroads has the mission of "transforming rural communities for the cause of Christ." Canterbury said that mission has been fully embraced in the 10th anniversary celebration. The activities have included weekly videos encompassing the meaning of the mission statement.
"We want to take the time to focus on God's mission and those feelings," Canterbury said. "He'll keep doing incredible things because he's an incredible God."
The pastor said they plan to continue to grow as a church and engage with the community. His focus is working with Monroe residents to make others aware of Crossroads and to participate in a positive way, regardless of whether people attend services or change their beliefs to align with Crossroads.
Other activities include "The Bash" in August, with events for youth groups that include a cow tongue throw resembling ultimate frisbee, and weekly youth group and community care group meetings.
Canterbury said the anniversary has marked its success, but the church will continue to remain engaged as a way to cement its status as a positive force within Monroe.