History

CA was launched in 1968 with the goal of reaching the emerging "baby boom" generation with the truths of Christianity through innovative outreach and discipleship. Our first venture was the 'Jesus Christ Light & Power House' near the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). We had a relational evangelism focus as well as a training emphasis to help students toward spiritual maturity. We were constantly trying new things in order to attract people to Christ and equip them for ministry.

In the 1970s we began to take some of the students on international sports evangelism excursions. Our 'News Release' basketball tours were an effective means for outreach as well as a discipleship tool in the lives of these young Christian athletes. As we traveled, our eyes were opened to the need for innovative ministry in other parts of the world. In Europe we discovered a profound secularism and nominal Christianity. Surprisingly, many who heard the gospel were open and responsive, but they had little or no contact with a vital church where they could develop their faith. After a century of decline, the churches of Europe as a whole had lost their effectiveness. The need for new expressions of the church became evident.

It was at that time that we decided to launch such a church in Europe. In 1980, Crossroads Evangelical Church of Geneva was born, targeting the numerous English- speaking internationals of that city. Many became Christians or were revitalized in their faith as a result of the ministry of the Crossroads.

Still, we felt that we had more to learn about how to structure a church for ongoing growth and effectiveness. So in 1984, part of our leadership team left Geneva and returned to the United States to gain further insights from churches in America that had been experiencing explosive growth. During that period, our thinking about the church developed, ultimately becoming what we referred to as "the high-impact church."

In 1987 we moved into Amsterdam to test the high-impact approach. After about four years, with Crossroads International Church of Amsterdam established, we began multiplying high-impact churches in other European cities. A key lesson we learned in this process is the importance of leadership development. Healthy churches require healthy leaders, and so, CA became much more intentional in identifying and developing leaders.

We are seeking to catalyze a grassroots movement of reproducing missional/incarnational churches that will reach into today's emerging culture. We currently have works in over 30 European cities. We also have projects in three South American cities and seven North American cities. 

What is your story?  Maybe our paths will intersect and we'll share a bit of this journey together.  To start the conversation, just click on the CONTACT US link.  We look forward to hearing from you.