Crossview Covenant Church
Annual Report

July 2023 - June 2024

Dear Church Family,

Last year we spent the year in the gospel of John, which I absolutely loved. We sprinkled some mini-series in here and there but we mainly looked at John’s biography about Christ Jesus. I have been thinking about that word believe, which we used as a title to the series. John says in chapter 20 that he wrote these things that people might believe that Jesus is all he claimed to be. That is our mission. Connecting people to Jesus.

Coming out of our last ministry year I hope that we believe in new and fuller ways that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I look at our next-gen ministries and we are seeing really healthy growth because Aaron and his team believe Jesus is for kids and students. We have a group of people every Wednesday night who pray that we will believe. We have small groups and short-term groups that meet all around and are having conversations about how believing in Jesus affects our lives. I could go on and on but I think last year was a reminder to continue to believe in Jesus and to invite others to join this amazing journey. Thank you Crossview for your ongoing faithfulness.

Grace and Peace,
Brad Jackson, Senior Pastor

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

Our win on Sunday mornings is that we create an inspiring worship gathering that is guest-friendly and encourages people to take a next step. We say it like that because we know every Sunday there is a wide range of where people are spiritually, and we think a church family can worship in a way that honors and respects each person. We also know that worship starts when someone is walking into the building. All of our Sunday morning teams (worship, greeters, ushers, communion prep and serving, tech) work together to create that space for God’s love to be experienced.

We believe that every person belongs in a smaller community

We believe some of the best transformation in our lives happens in circles. Our primary win in community life is to love Jesus so much so that people want to connect with one another so and grow in faith together. We are better together! Here are some of the ways that we know that transformation is happening in smaller community: opportunities for connecting are accessible; leaders are developed (made & retained); people take a next step in their faith; people invite others; we cultivate a heart for generosity and hospitality.

We serve in our church, city & world

One of our pathways is serving. This involves serving one another at church and serving locally and being engaged globally. It is so much fun to look across the life of Crossview and see how there are different generations living out this pathway - teenagers opening doors and greeting. Seniors meeting on Thursday mornings to put things together for those on the margins. People who gather on Saturday mornings once a month to serve at Food for All. Every Sunday there are people of all ages serving our kids and teens. Every time we have a funeral there is an amazing group of people who make cookies and bars and serve lunch to grieving families. We could go on and on, there are so many other ways we serve, it’s hard to name them all! The most important thing to know is that every time we serve one another and serve those in need we get to be a part of mutual transformation.

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 2023-2024 school year, we saw ministry engagement jump up to 75 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 August of 2023 also had the chance to connect to Jesus through Vacation Bible School.  “Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere.” was a hit with 158 kids registered and over 60 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

"Let there always be SONshine” was our theme for the 2023-2024 preschool year at 5Cs. The children learned about reflecting God’s light to their families, friends and others during this year.  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 15 staff who taught, loved on and ministered to the 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 reach out with the hope of Jesus:
Community Covenant Church

During the 2023-24 ministry year, Crossview Rosa Parks took a significant step in its journey by becoming Community Covenant Church. This name change reflects Community Covenant’s commitment to embody the vision and mission of the church—to be a place centered on community and dedicated to serving Mankato in Jesus’s name. While Community Covenant has been blessed to gather at Rosa Parks Elementary, their new name points to a future beyond any one location as they grow.

As the year progressed, Community Covenant began the transition to becoming a self-sustaining church. We celebrate the incredible dedication of Community Covenant’s volunteers, leaders, and staff, who faithfully share the gospel and serve with joy in all they do. This commitment led to their official launch as an independent church in September 2024—a milestone made possible by God’s faithfulness and Crossview’s & Community Covenant’s heart for His work.

We lead with grace, humility, trust and joy

Nominating

Members: Chuck Parsons, Kristin Baty, Scott Carlson

 

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.

  • We had a few people step off of committees who are moving out of state or going with Community Covenant. We are in the process of nailing down those positions and will have a special meeting to elect those positions. We do ask for help with our HR committee as three of those on that committee stepped down and we need people with HR expertise as that area is becoming more and more complex.

  • 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

Accomplishments:

  • Reviewed and updated mission's giving for consistency and accuracy - completed

  • Creating signage and visual presence for mission's wall - in progress

  • Creating website mission's specific updates - in progress

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: Kaitlynn Steele (secretary), Eric Poppler, Judy Douglas, Colleen Van Blarcom, Pastor Brad Jackson

Mission from the charter: The Human Resource and Personnel Committee (Committee) shall function primarily to develop and recommend church policy, and/or to develop long-range plans, goals, and strategies consistent with their mandates. With approval from the Church Council (Council), the Committee may establish and dissolve subcommittees. (Bylaws Article VI, Section 1.)

What was accomplished:

  • 2024 had many changes for the Human Resources Committee as the legislature has been quite active but overall, it has been a fairly quiet year. HR Committee is in need of new members for 2025. Please consider joining this Committee.

  • A few of the things the team worked on this year:

    • Monitoring and updating wages due to FLSA law changes in July 2024 and January 2025.

    • Prepare for Paid Family Leave, effective January 1, 2026. Began reporting wages in October 2024.

    • Consulting with 5C’s due to some of the changes in program offerings and staff changes.

    • Coordinated offboarding for Sandi and Brian Asker as they switched from Crossview staff to Community Covenant staff.

    • Reviewed wages and benefits for annual reviews. Confirmed that they are in an adequate range for the national averages.

    • Confirmed certifications and licensure are current.

    • Confirmed annual reviews were completed.

    • Completed Brad’s annual review.

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, Sheila Hall, Jackie Willard, Britta Sharkey, and Jodi Leighton. Members who were on the committee this fiscal year but have rotated off as of this writing are: Jenny Mountin, Thomas Delgado, and Jay Douglas. Non-voting members are Libby Englehorn and Brad Jackson.

During the 2024 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 2023, Crossview assisted 26 individuals and families totaling $23,667.72. 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, and Larry Kuyper.

What was accomplished?

  • In the church year ending June 30th, 2024, the committee officially met eleven times.

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

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

    • Applied and 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.

    • Expanded offerings for 5C’s in the next year to operate in the black.

  • Worked with APX and Building and Grounds to compile the long-term building needs of our church.

  • Facilitated good conversations about our fourteen-acre property.

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


Crossview Covenant Church

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