A Reformed Congregation on Acacia Drive
Cragmor Christian Reformed Church has held a corner of Colorado Springs since the 1960s, gathering each Sunday morning at 1225 Acacia Drive in the Cragmor neighborhood on the city's northwest side. The church describes itself as a community ROOTED in the inerrant Word of God and REACHING Colorado Springs and the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Its mission sums up the heartbeat of the place in three short phrases: "Go. Proclaim. Make Disciples."
The leadership is anchored by a team of elders and deacons, alongside a staff team that handles the day-to-day work of ministry. To the congregation, the church is "not for the perfect; it is for God's children," and visitors are invited to "stop by and join us in worshiping the one true God."
"Go. Proclaim. Make Disciples."
That mission shapes everything at Cragmor. The vision spells out the calling in three points: create a culture of discipleship in Jesus, live as one body in Christ, and bring strangers into God's family. Cragmor writes: "We understand that many people may feel like strangers to the church, and we aim to make you feel like you're a part of our family. Our family exemplifies Christ through deep care, sacrificial living, and relentless love for each other as stated in John 13:35."
Creeds, Confessions, and the Reformed Tradition
Cragmor is part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a denomination historically tied to the Dutch Reformed tradition and now spread across the United States and Canada. The congregation holds to the Three Forms of Unity - the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed - alongside three confessions: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Belgic Confession. These doctrinal standards shape the way the church teaches, preaches, and celebrates the sacraments.
To explain what it means to be a Christian, Cragmor uses the word "Gospel" as an acrostic:
- God created us to be in relationship with Him.
- Our sins separate us from God.
- Sins cannot be removed by good works.
- Paying the price for our sin, Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again.
- Everyone who trusts Jesus alone will have life with him.
- Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.
On what it means to be Reformed, Cragmor points to a line from theologian Cornelius Plantinga: "Our accents lie more on the sovereignty of God, on the authority of Scripture, on the need for disciplined holiness in personal Christian life, and finally, on Christianity as a religion of the Kingdom."
The Five Solas
Cragmor teaches the Five Solas, the basic Reformation belief that salvation is obtained through the atoning work of Christ alone, apart from individual effort. Each comes with a one-line summary:
- Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) - The Bible alone is the infallible and sufficient authority for Christians and the church, in contrast to the idea that tradition carries an equal or greater weight.
- Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) - God gives salvation by his grace and mercy, in contrast to the idea that we have some ability to work out our salvation.
- Sola Fide (Faith Alone) - We receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, in contrast to the idea that we must earn our salvation through good works.
- Sola Christus (Christ Alone) - Jesus Christ alone accomplishes salvation through the work of his life, death, and resurrection, in contrast to the idea that the Church also dispenses God's grace.
- Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory) - Salvation is from God and has been accomplished only for the glory of God, in contrast to the idea that the Church or humans should also receive glory for the work of Jesus.
A Sunday Morning at Cragmor
Sunday School for all ages begins the day at 9:00 am. From 10:00 to 10:30 am there is a coffee-and-snacks break where newcomers can meet people and grab a cup of joe from the info booth. The whole congregation gathers for worship at 10:30 am, and services usually run between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Each service includes singing, confession and assurance, prayer, Scripture reading, and a message. The music team leads with a thoughtful, engaging style that prioritizes congregational participation and a sense of reverence and joyful adoration.
What to Wear, How to Enter
Dress is casual. Most people wear jeans and a nice shirt, and there is no pressure either way. The building is fully handicap accessible, with ADA-approved bathrooms on both floors and an elevator connecting the two levels. After parking, visitors can come in through the glass-doored entrance, head up to the Sanctuary on the second floor, and look for the info booth for a free coffee.
Kids: A Place They'll Want to Come Back To
The children's ministry centers on four priorities: building spiritual disciplines like time in God's Word, prayer, and worship; teaching foundational Bible stories; helping kids memorize Scripture; and kindling a desire to know Jesus more deeply. The leadership's aim is to make this not only a place where children learn about the love of Jesus, but also a place they enjoy being - a safe environment where they want to invite their friends.
Three weekly touchpoints make that possible. Sunday School for kids in first through sixth grade meets at 9:00 am. Children's Worship, for children ages three through first grade, takes place during the main Sunday service after the music portion of the morning. On Wednesdays, W@CK (Wednesdays at Cragmor Kids) runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for kids in first through sixth grade.
A nursery for children age three and under is provided during every worship service, and a livestream TV and a comfortable room are available for nursing moms. Children's Church for ages four through fifth grade runs during the school-year months; the program takes a break over the summer so volunteers can recharge. Safety and security, commitment to Scripture, and Christ-exalting worship are emphasized in every children's gathering.
Youth: "We Are..."
The youth ministry welcomes students in seventh through twelfth grade and meets in two weekly rhythms. Sunday School gathers at 9:00 am, and Youth Group meets Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00. The vision is for students who are "Firmly Rooted in the faith, establishing our lives on the Word of God, and the salvation that is a Gift of God through Christ Jesus." Four "we are" statements sum up the calling: pursuers of God, unified with the Church, striving for righteousness, and ambassadors of the Gospel to neighbors, city, and world.
Small Groups and Young Adults
Community groups are "the best way to get connected at Cragmor." The church maintains small groups for families, young adults, seniors, and others who want an intentional circle for study, support, and friendship. Bible study and discipleship courses are offered as part of the church's growth pathway for those ready to deepen their faith.
The Young Adults group, made up of college-age adults through young families, meets on the last Sunday evening of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, with childcare provided. It is a place to ask hard questions, talk faith, and build lasting friendships.
Six Ministry Partners
Cragmor invests in six ministries beyond its own walls:
- Mercy's Gate has served El Paso County since 1982 with direct services, resources, and referrals for families facing crisis.
- Kid's Hope USA pairs local churches with at-risk children for mentoring relationships.
- Family Promise works with families experiencing homelessness through shelter, meals, case management, and wrap-around support aimed at permanent housing.
- New City Kids runs after-school programming for low-income youth in urban settings, blending academics and music with a safe community of caring adults.
- Young Life in Africa supports Joy Engelsmann as a Leadership and Evangelism Trainer writing curriculum and leading training events for Youth for Christ nations across the continent.
- LightSys is a fellowship of believers serving missionaries through IT consulting, software development, and technology support.
Where to Find Cragmor
The church building stands at 1225 Acacia Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. The phone line is 719-598-7184 and the general inbox is info@cragmorcrc.org; those wanting to volunteer can write to secretary@cragmorcrc.org.
Sermons are archived online, and the church maintains Vimeo and YouTube channels for scheduled livestream broadcasts. Online giving is available, and in-person giving takes place during services. Anyone can submit a prayer request online, and the pastoral team commits to praying over each one.