Crossroads Farm, the national rural youth ministry with three branches, including one in Cadiz, turned 25 on May 27 and celebrated with an event on May 25 in Reading, MI, at the National Headquarters and site of the original branch, The Shed.
Attendees enjoyed dinner, musical performances, a panel, and each branch did a presentation on their ministry and the future of the branch. At Harrison County’s branch, The Mine, Ministry Director Luke Marshall, Administrative Director Carrie Olson, and two students shared their experiences at The Mine.
Several volunteers from the local ministry were also able to attend and later shared with Olson what the event meant to them.
Vickie Pratt, a local community volunteer who helps with miscellaneous projects said she wanted to be part of the celebratio “to learn more about future plans, and see the [main] facility.” She said she enjoyed going with the team and especially liked learning about each branch of Crossroads Farm. “I was happy to learn more about the youth benefiting from the program. I was especially grateful for the chapel experience of praying for a specific young person with a touching desire!”
Rob Davis went to support the ministry and he also wanted to hear about everything that was happening on a larger scale. He looks forward to seeing continued growth of The Mine with more kids attending in months and years to come.
Community Volunteer Larry Harding came to the event to pick up the bus and bring it to Harrison County. Crossroads will use it for trips and transportation to programs beginning in the fall. He shared about the experience, “The best part was learning about the other branches and how they are going to expanding in the future. I am looking forward to see what God has planned for Harrison County.”
Olson began serving at Crossroads Farm as a college student volunteer at the main campus, joining the full time staff right after college.
“When I was first asked to pray about moving to Harrison County, I was shocked to say the least. I didn’t have any aspirations of becoming a director. I had only ever heard about that part of Ohio from Luke’s stories,” she said. “I began to pray and seek if this might be where God was calling me. Slowly my heart began to break for Harrison County.”
She visited Harrison and started imagining what the students and ministry would be like if she was called there. “In imagining the students,” she said, “I realized God was calling me to love these students, to know their stories and to see them grow in Christ. I didn’t expect to feel called to Ohio, but the call was clear.”
Over the last two years of The Mine being in operation, there have been 126 students reached, representing 18 different schools, 32 churches, 23 towns, and six counties. Over 70 different volunteers have made that possible.
“It has been incredible to see God move in ways I hadn’t anticipated and we know there is more to come in the future. We have a glimpse of the things unseen that are coming to Harrison County,” said Olson.
The Mine is currently expanding as their needs grow. They are planning to take out a wall from their current space in order to double the student area. Both the student and leadership teams are growing as well with more coaches planning to mentor students next year.
“I am in awe of what God has done in our couple years of ministry at The Mine. I am excited to watch him continue to transform our students, their families, and our community.”
