Loving God, Loving Others, Making a Difference
Crossroads Baptist Church sits along FM 31 on the edge of Marshall, Texas, in the pineywoods of East Texas where the community of Crossroads once gathered around a small country store. The congregation's motto - "Loving God, Loving Others, Making a Difference" - frames everything from Sunday worship to children's mission groups to a yearly food pantry partnership in town. The church began with a handful of determined families in 1947 and has grown into a ministry that draws several hundred to its weekly services.
From a Wood Heater in a Country Store to a New Sanctuary
Crossroads Baptist Church was organized in 1947 with help from East Texas Baptist College. That first year, members met in a grocery store belonging to Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Elsberry, a building without electricity or water. A 55-gallon barrel served as a wood heater through the mid-winter months. By July of that first year, Bro. John Elliot, a student at ETBC, had been called as the church's first pastor. Elliot eventually resigned to serve as a missionary in Brazil for 38 years.
The physical campus grew alongside the congregation. A 26 by 42 foot building went up in 1947, classroom space was added in 1951, and a sanctuary was built onto the front of the original structure. Under Pastor Sam Houston (1957 - 1967), new pews, a deep-water well, air conditioning and heat, and a clear property title all came to the church. A brick fellowship hall with restrooms and a kitchen was dedicated in 1973. A new educational building followed, then in October 2001 a "Miracle Sunday" launched the capital campaign for the current sanctuary, which was completed in November 2005. The members celebrated a Note-Burning Day in 1995 and a 50th anniversary on April 20, 1997 with many former pastors in attendance.
Sunday Mornings in Marshall
Sunday School begins at 9:15 AM for every age group, with the Worship Service following at 10:30 AM. Services are streamed and archived on the church's YouTube channel so members who travel, are sick, or live out of town can keep up with the preaching. The church operates a Church Center account for online directory access, event sign-ups, the church calendar, and giving.
Children's Ministry from the Nursery Through Sixth Grade
Stacia Runnels coordinates a Children's Ministry that covers every stage from infancy through sixth grade.
- Infant through age 2 - Silent beepers, a healthy nursery policy, a sleeping and nursing room, and a low child-to-worker ratio.
- Pre-K ages 2 - 5 - Sunday School, Extended Teaching Care during Sunday morning worship, and Mission Friends on Wednesday nights at 6 PM.
- Kindergarten through sixth grade - Sunday School, Children's Church, Sunday Night Discipleship, and Wednesday night missions organizations.
On Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, the church runs two parallel missions organizations: Royal Ambassadors for boys in grades 1 through 6, and Girls in Action for girls in grades 1 through 6. RA focuses on teaching boys to be well-informed, responsible followers of Christ with a Christ-like concern for all people. GA teaches girls to live a missions lifestyle by learning about, praying about, giving to, and doing missions.
Students and College & Career
Youth Pastor Brett Forbus leads a Student Ministry whose aim is "leading students to become fully devoted followers of Christ that love God, love others, and make a difference." Students gather for Sunday School at 9:15 AM and again on Wednesday nights at 6 PM, with Remind app groups available for both students and parents to stay in touch.
For older young adults, the College & Career Sunday School class meets from 9:15 to 10:15 AM upstairs in the Berea building, in the second to last room on the right. The class is aimed at college students and early-career professionals looking for an intimate study of God's word and discussion with peers. The atmosphere is described as filled with laughter, introspection, and a determination to grow as Christians.
Missions: Paonia, Colorado and Mission Marshall
Crossroads takes seriously the Great Commission quoted on its missions page - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Since 2018, the church has partnered with North American Mission Board church plants in Paonia, Colorado, sending teams each year for a week of construction and Vacation Bible School work. The trip begins the second Saturday in June.
Closer to home, the church partners with Mission Marshall, a local non-profit, by providing the volunteers to run its food pantry every other month. The pantry is one of several services Mission Marshall offers the surrounding community.
What the Church Believes
Crossroads' Statement of Faith holds that the Holy Bible is God's revelation, written by men divinely inspired and without error in its matter. There is one living and true God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; His death on the cross provided redemption from sin, and He is now exalted at the right hand of God as the one Mediator. Salvation is offered to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, with no salvation apart from personal faith in Christ.
A New Testament church is described as an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. On the family, the statement affirms that God has ordained it as the foundational institution of human society, that husband and wife are of equal worth before God, and that children from the moment of conception are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.
A Place for First-Time Visitors
Visitors can expect a friendly, warm, Christ-honoring gathering of sincere people who care about you. There is no strict dress code: some attenders wear their Sunday best, others come more casually. Visitors will find Bible classes and activities at every age level, and smaller settings where it is easy to make friends. Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 3 PM, and the phone (903) 938-0882 and email info@crossroadsmarshall.org reach the church during those hours. Giving is available online through the church's giving page, by check, by cash using envelopes in the sanctuary pews, or by online bill pay through a banking institution.