Crossview Covenant Church
Annual Report

July 2024 - June 2025

Dear Church Family,

Pastor Libby found a song called ‘Made for More’ that we sang a number of times last year. I love this part of the song: 

'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave
I was called by name
Born and raised back to life again
I was made for more
So why would I make a bed in my shame
When a fountain of grace is running my way
I know I am Yours
And I was made for more

We started the ministry year last year singing that song and spending time in a series called Ekklesia, which is the Greek word for church. We talked about how the church is the called out people who are meant to be the hope of the world. We have the best story to share with this world that God loves. The good news is ‘a fountain of grace running my way’ as the song says. I look around Crossview and I am so hopeful. I look back on our ministry last year and I am amazed and humbled by you all. From Best Christmas Ever to the growth in our kids and student ministries to our Project Days and I could go on and on and would still miss places where you all are living out the being the church. It is so great to be on mission together as a church family.

Grace and Peace,

Brad Jackson

We worship together and invite others to join us - In-Person and Online!

Our Sunday morning "win" is creating an inspiring, guest-friendly worship experience that encourages everyone to take a next step in their faith.

We phrase it that way because we recognize that each Sunday brings people from all kinds of spiritual backgrounds. We believe a church family can worship in a way that honors and respects where each person is on their journey.

Worship doesn’t begin with the first song — it starts the moment someone walks through the door. That’s why all our Sunday teams — worship, greeters, ushers, communion prep and servers, and tech — work together to create an environment where people can encounter God’s love.

We had 16 infant baptisms & dedications in our 2024-2025 year. We had 19 believer baptisms in August 2024 and 8 believer baptisms in November 2024.

We believe that every person belongs in a smaller community

We believe that some of the most powerful transformation in our lives happens in circles, not rows.

Our primary goal for community life is to love Jesus so deeply that it naturally draws people to connect with one another and grow together in faith — because we truly are better together.

We see real transformation in smaller communities when:

  • People have accessible opportunities to connect

  • Leaders are being developed and supported

  • Individuals take meaningful next steps in their faith

  • People invite others to join in

  • Generosity and hospitality are actively cultivated

These are the signs that life-changing community is happening.

We serve in our church, city & world

Serving is one of our core pathways — and it takes shape in many beautiful ways.

This means serving one another within the church, serving our local community, and engaging globally. It’s exciting to look around Crossview and see people of all generations living out this pathway:

  • Teenagers and adults welcoming guests and opening doors

  • Seniors meeting on Thursday mornings to assemble care items for those on the margins

  • Volunteers of all ages pouring into our kids and teens every Sunday and Wednesday

  • Faithful teams who bake, prep, and serve meals for grieving families during funerals

And that’s just the beginning — there are so many ways people serve, we couldn’t possibly name them all.

What matters most is this: every time we serve — whether inside the church or out in the community — we step into mutual transformation. We’re not just making a difference in someone else’s life; God is shaping us in the process too.

We prioritize ministry to the coming generations for the future of the church

Crossview Kids

We are passionate about connecting kids to Jesus, and we do this by creating environments where kids feel safe, praying for them, and encouraging them to come back and bring friends.  The NextGen team focused on building relationships with kids and giving them opportunities to connect to Jesus. During the 2024-2025 school year, we saw ministry engagement jump up to 140 kids. This was possible because of faithful volunteers who believe in the mission and passion of creating safe environments where kids get to know Jesus more!

The kids in July of 2024 also had the chance to connect to Jesus through Vacation Bible School.  “Start the Party.” was a hit with 178 kids registered and over 80 volunteers! PreK and elementary kids learned to do what Jesus says, believe who Jesus is, love who Jesus loves, share what Jesus did, and go where Jesus leads. Church family, please know that your faithfulness, financial support, volunteering, and prayers continue to make a lifelong impact on the kids who come to Crossview. Thank you! And this mission continues as more kids and families in our city need Christ's hope.

Crossview Youth

When it comes to our volunteers and youth at Crossview, one goal we had was to keep the student ministry consistent so that trusting relationships can develop.  It is in an environment like that where faith can grow and is safe to ask questions.  During the 2022-2023 school year, we saw our average attendance being about 50. During the 2023-2024 school year, we saw our average attendance grow to about 70.  We also added a handful new volunteers who consistently serve each Wednesday. The youth leaders and students continue to share their ideas about various activities that they would like to do like boardgame night, lock-in, dodgeball, etc and we noticed both an increase in leadership and in engagement.

In May 2024 we saw our second confirmation class of about 24 students complete our new 2-year program.  We saw how important it was that students developed deeper relationships and a more mature faith. We also did our second confirmation retreat at Lake Beauty.  As a result of more time together along with confirmation being a 2.5-3hr Sunday experience with a lesson, group work, serving at church and attending the worship service, and turning in sermon notes—we have seen more engagement and ownership of the faith of the students. With both first-year and second-year students together at both campuses we saw about 35 students participating in confirmation at Crossview.

5Cs Preschool

"Jesus is our Super Hero” was our theme for the 2024-2025 preschool year at 5Cs. The children learned about super heroes in the Bible  and how we can share Jesus to the world around us.  Additionally, we integrated kindergarten readiness skills and prepared children for school in the intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional and physical areas of learning. 

 

To that end there were 12 staff who taught, loved on and ministered to the over sixty 2-5-year-olds who attended 2, 3 or 5 days a week during the school year.  We continue to count it an honor and privilege to plant seeds of faith and the knowledge of God's love with our youngest learners.

  

We look ahead to all God might have for the 5Cs ministry that has been an amazing outreach ministry at Crossview since 1971. 

We lead with grace, humility, trust and joy

Nominating

Members: Kristin Baty, Scott Carlson, Nancy Dobson, Pastor Brad Jackson

 

Mission from the Charter: The Nominating Committee shall function primarily to develop and recommend Church policy, and/or to create long-range plans, goals, and strategies consistent with their responsibilities and duties. With approval from the Church Council, the Committee may establish and dissolve subcommittees. 

 

What was accomplished:

  • Nominated two open council positions that were voted into serving. Nominated and elected two open positions on to the HR committee.

  • Make suggestions for open Deacon or committee spots when asked by the council

Missions

Purpose

The Committee shall study, evaluate, and recommend goals, strategies, priorities, and policies for participation in service and evangelism through the Evangelical Covenant Church and other mission partners and agencies. Such goals and policies shall include not only financial support, but also active participation by groups and individuals in short-term projects as well as long-term and career assignments, both local and global. 

Members: Scott Barnacle, Matt Heiman, Shawna Hulzebos, Eric Lefeber, Craig Schanbacher, and Aaron Thompson, Pastor Brad Jackson

Accomplishments:

Creating signage and visual presence for mission's wall - completed
Creating website mission's specific updates - in progress (Crossview.church/mission)

Our monthly giving will be with four focused partners:
Jan-Mar Affordable House
April-June PACT
July-September Lincoln Community Center
October-December Gentle Shepherd

One-time gifts and special events will still be reviewed/completed. 

The $500 one time gift payment request was made for Laura Rowdon.

Steve Baty will be joining our meetings to fill Aaron's spot 

We support 18 mission fields (28 missionaries):

  • College & University Ministries: Cru, Intervarsity, Navigators

  • Gentle Shepherds

  • France

  • Mexico

  • Czech Republic

  • South Sudan

  • Thailand

  • Central America

Human Resources

Members:
Pastor Brad Jackson
Paulette Booker (chair/secretary; at-large; term expires December 2026)
Andrea Luedtke (church council member; term expires December 2025)
Jonathan Singleton (at-large; term expires December 2026)
Clay Sharkey (church council member; term expires December 2029)
Former Church Council members (vacant)

Mission from the charter: The Human Resources and Personnel Committee shall provide guidance for the human resource functions for church employees. The committee shall develop and recommend policy for adoption by the Church Council and implementation by the Senior Pastor as head of the staff. The committee shall pay particular attention to employment law and other “best practices” issues. It shall provide regular reviews of compensation and benefit practices and assist supervisors with hiring and employee relations as requested.

With approval from the Church Council (Council), the Committee may establish and dissolve subcommittees. (Bylaws Article VI, Section 1)

What was accomplished:

  • Reported quarterly wages to DEED in October 2024 as required by the MN Paid Leave Act

  • Recommended 5% COLA increase across the board in March

  • New members voted in at May 18, 2025, congregational meeting

  • Approved salary increase for Pastor Libby in June 20025

  • Began review of Church leave policies in preparation to be in compliance with the MN Paid Leave Act which is effective January 1, 2026

2025 annual reviews for Pastor Brad were not performed due to lack of committee members and for Pastor Aaron Thompson because of his separation from employment in August 2025.

Deacons

According to the Deacon Committee charter, “Purpose: The Deacon Committee shall function to assist the pastors in carrying on the prayer and caring ministry of the Church. The members of the Committee shall be those individuals gifted by God for the purpose of providing help and care to each member and friend of the congregation.”

The Deacons accomplish their purpose by serving in teams each month on a rotating basis, ready to meet with anyone needing financial and/or emotional support.

Current members of the Deacon Committee are Greg Bednar, Deland Gertner, Jackie Willard, Britta Sharkey, Barry Ries, and Jodi Leighton. Members who were on the committee this fiscal year but have rotated off as of this writing are: Sheila Hall and Thomas Delgado. Non-voting members are Libby Englehorn and Brad Jackson.

During the 2025 calendar year, the committee met six times (January through May and September). We are scheduled to meet in October, November, and December.

Accomplishments:

During fiscal year 2024, Crossview Deacons approved 21 requests for assistance to 14 individuals and families totaling $15,767.48. Assistance ranged from car repairs to paying past due utility bills to assisting with travel expenses. In every instance, Deacons met with those requesting assistance either in person or via telephone call. Each case was evaluated against the Deacons Guidelines document then submitted to the general Committee for discussion. Only then was a vote taken to either approve or decline support.

Stewardship

Purpose: The Committee shall identify and recommend strategies that enable active financial stewardship by the Church’s Members and attenders. It shall develop, monitor, and maintain a long-term financial plan, including planning for future facility needs, subject to approval by the Council. It shall develop, recommend, and monitor policies for both operating and capital budgeting, managing cash and other financial assets of the Church, and for complying with accepted legal and accounting practices.

Members: Andrew Jelken (Chair), Brian Lynch (Secretary), Pastor Brad Jackson, Eric Poppler, Myron Erstad, Brett Benzkofer.

What was accomplished?

  • In the church year ending June 30th, 2025, the committee officially met eleven times.

  • This was our third year working off our re-organized charters.

  • Continued working with LeiningerCPA, Ltd. for our audited financials.

    • We still anticipate receiving nearly $300,000 in Employee Retention Credit (ERC).

  • Planned and presented a comprehensive budget including:

    • Starting with a realistic revenue number and moved down from there

    • Changed our mentality this year due to lower contributions to go off what is essential and then seeing what money we had left over.

    • We were over 100k over on the buildings and grounds budget line. We will budget accordingly moving into the next fiscal year.

  • Ongoing thoughtful discussions on how we can utilize Christian financial education to make our congregation more knowledgeable givers.

  • Discussions on the Council and Stewardship levels about reducing our debt.

Crossview Covenant Church

Connecting people to Jesus so they can connect Jesus to their world.