In the fall of 2023, three "Guiding Emphases" were introduced that will serve to unite and direct our congregation as we step forward in ministry. You're invited to join our staff and leadership in embracing these in your own life and in our life together as Holy Cross. May the Holy Spirit continue to bring us together and lead us in a unified direction.

The Launch Recap

As a congregation, redeemed and gathered, we’re stepping FORWARD TOGETHER into God's unfolding plans. As we continue to revitalize ministries, start new ministries, and recruit staff, we have an opportunity to embrace these guiding emphases to help lead us, focus us, and unite us in moving forward in the same direction.

  • Holy Cross is a wonderful community of people who care about each other and want to grow together. As we build on this character, wherever and whenever we gather together, we want to be about inspiring even more healthy, Jesus-focused community.

    This emphasis speaks loudly into our worship experiences, our group experiences, along with new activities and events in the near future. We want to create opportunities and spaces that inspire belonging and encouragement; as Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

    We all share the need for community, both for our good and for the good of those around us. Let’s build each other up in faith as we gather in community.

  • It’s with our entire lives that we follow Jesus, who calls us to live outward. Beyond ourselves, reaching into the lives of others for His greater purposes. This takes shape as we care for others, serve others, and grow in our awareness of the needs of others.

    This emphasis certainly speaks touches on familiar ideas of mission and outreach, but it goes much deeper into a whole life experience -- into a ‘congregational culture’ seen in action and movement. It’s an approach and attitude to how we live and do everything in ministry.

    Let’s expand our impact as individuals, families, and a congregation on our surrounding community.

  • As we inspire community and live outward, we have the opportunity and privilege to welcome others intentionally.

    The people of Holy Cross already have a good, naturally welcoming spirit. Many of you have longtime friendships and at the same time you’re excited to meet someone new. We want to celebrate and build on this.

    This emphasis leans into the opportunity to grow in our intentionality around welcoming others. Together, we’ll be reflecting on our welcome team experience and new opportunities for you to be involved in that, along with elements in our physical space, our interior and exterior signage, and how to better connect and communicate with the surrounding community.

    Let’s welcome others with our eyes on what it would be like to step onto our campus for the first time.

Our staff and leadership are excited to embrace and apply these simple yet directional phrases to our ministry. We anticipate God doing great things in and through us as His church. We hope you’ll join us in this adventure as we step FORWARD TOGETHER to serve the greater purpose God has for us right here in our neighborhood and around the world.

If you have questions or feedback to share, please connect with Pastor Anders.