Growing Into a New Season of Ministry

Living in Northern Wisconsin, we love (and sometimes love to complain about) our magnificent change of seasons.  While visually vibrant fall leaves and the promising new buds of spring are wonderful, the thought of shoveling winter snow quickly loses its appeal.

Wisconsin seasons bring change.  For us who love Crossways, this fall season is bringing even more change. As the world changes around us so must Crossways change to effectively partner with you in ministry.  After more than a year of conversation and diligent work, a comprehensive restructuring plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 20th.  The purpose of the plan is to provide an effective, cost efficient base for growing the ministry of Crossways.

This will be accomplished in part through creating new positions and revising current positions and eliminating some altogether.

The office has been strengthened to put customer service as a priority and to provide solid financial information to those who depend on it.  Each site will benefit from a standardization of operations and flexible staffing.  We will utilize each person’s unique gifts for service and ministry as part of a Crossways team dedicated to serving our congregations, communities and the church.

The goals of the adopted plan are to:

• Strengthen the existing ministry
• Grow the ministry
• Provide excellent customer service
• Offer flexibility in staffing
• Standardize operations
• Live out ministry at three unique sites

As we grow into this new “season” for Crossways there will be times that we will feel like we are deep in winter, up to our waist and shoveling snow.  We are shoveling ahead together - traveling into the future which God has for us. 

We rest in the promise of spring at hand.

To view the Board of Directors’ restructuring plans, send an e-mail to info@crosswayscamps.org.

From the Executive Director: November 2012

It has been just over nine months since I began as the Executive Director of Crossways Camping Ministries.  It seems that every time I run into an old friend, neighbor, former parishioner, even colleagues I get the same question:   “How do you like your new job?”

Installation as Crossways' Executive
Director at Waypost Camp in April

I think most are hoping to hear me say that I like it just fine.  The interesting part of the question is that in my former life as a parish pastor, no one would have asked it in the same way.  The question would have been framed by the notion of “call” not “job”.  I don’t know why it’s that way. Perhaps outdoor ministry is considered by many as something apart or different than real live ministry. 

If I have learned anything at all in this nine month gestation period of mine at Crossways it is the incontestable fact that Crossways is real live ministry and everyone involved is undeniably called. 
Volunteers scraping shingles off a roof, college counselors listening to a camper’s doubts, a bookkeeper finding another dollar, a pastor sharing a smile with staff, the cook’s bread pudding lovingly made, the site director who calms the parent’s fears, the housekeeper who whistles while cleaning the toilet, the registrar who squeezes in one more quilter, and the property manager who chases the bats out of the chapel are not simply doing their jobs. 

Riding 18 miles at Waypost’s
70th Anniversary Celebration

Like my pastor once told me, “If this were a job, I would have quit years ago!”  Being called is not a job.  It’s an act of Christ’s ministry to the world.  For decades I have had the privilege to watch the calls of the faithful lived out in the ministry of Crossways.  Now as the Executive Director, I get to name and celebrate the real live ministry done by you and so many others called to serve God in this place.

So when I get the question , “How do you like your new job?” my response will simply be, as yours should be, “I like my call just fine.”

See you at camp!
Rev John Meachen, Executive Director

Celebrating 70 Years of Ministry - Crossways' Waypost Camp

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This weekend, alumni, campers, volunteers, staff, and friends of Crossways came together to celebrate 70 years of ministry at Waypost on Mission Lake (which began as Crooked Lake Bible Camp in 1942.)   With 15-20 mph winds and 40 degree temps, a group of brave souls committed to supporting the ministry of Crossways by taking to the scenic roads surrounding Waypost Camp in the Crossways Bike Tour. 

After warming up by the fire, participants enjoyed family fun at camp, a delicious meal, and ended the day in Worship, giving thanks for a camp where people can experience God’s love, a place to discover new gifts, and most importantly, a home where people can grow in faith with one another.

Get your piece of Crossways history. Buy a 70th Anniversary T-Shirt! Get yours now!

Sizes

Adult S $10.00 USD Adult M $10.00 USD Adult L $10.00 USD Adult XL $10.00 USD Adult XXL $12.00 USD