Local crosses echo the “Preaching of the Cross”

If you have passed through the main gate at Sally Buffalo Park, you can’t help but notice the recently placed cross on the slope behind the waterwheel. The cross was recently placed there by a group of individuals that have been making and putting crosses in different local areas. The purpose of the cross placements is done in a reminder of the “Preaching of the Cross.”

The crosses, though a stark memory of the sacrifice of Jesus through his crucifixion, holds a deeper and more profound meaning. Its presence reflects hope for salvation and eternal life for believers. Hope of salvation and eternal life are part of the basis of the Christian religion that promises that believing in the teachings of Christ will one day give you the opportunity to spend eternal life in Heaven.

The idea of placing the crosses in different locations came from the Perrysville Pleasant Hill Church near Carrollton. Studying scriptures that reflect the cross and its teachings is what brought pastor Dixie Hendricks to envision a cross being erected near the church. Men like Bryan McHugh and Cliff Brown quoted scriptures relative to how the cross teaches its own message. McHugh says that 1^st Corinthians 1:18-25 reads: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Brown added that, “God’s hand was on it from the start.”From there, a cross was placed permanently next to the churches pavilion, across the street from the church.

“I would like to see the symbol of the cross help to bring hope to others,” said Hendricks. “The cross was a source of pain, but Jesus isn’t on the cross anymore. He was raised from the dead. He gave us a specific command; “Take up your cross and follow me.” The cross today is a symbol of life, and that’s the power we live in.”

From there, Brown gathered a team of workers for the project. The estimated size of the cross would be 14 feet, with three feet underground. His guess on the height was later confirmed through a documentary that stated that the height of Jesus’ cross was 14 feet.

“That was a defining moment for me,” said Brown. “I felt that we were doing something that God wanted us to do.”

The cross across the street from the church went up in the spring of 2021. Other crosses were requested from people driving by and noticing the structures. The wood for the crosses is purchased from DeNoon Lumber in Bergholtz. The wood is double treated for weather proofing and a layer of tar is added as additional waterproofing to the three feet that will be underground. Cement is the final step in setting the cross.

To date, the men who have contributed to the cross ministry with Brown and McHugh are Dan Shawver, Ken Stoneman, Gary Booth, Kreig Brown, Kurt Brown, Vance Legget, Bob Benedict, Mark Zantene, Eric Waidman, Justin Hart, Brian Fisher, Scotty Fisher, Bob Hobson, and Shane Grimes.

“Many laughs have been shared by the ministry-men during their work,” said Grimes.

“We have been blessed by the things God has allowed us to do,” Brown said.“It is work but it’s a privilege.”

At Perrysville and Pleasant Hill churches, services often start and end around the cross.

“You never know what people are going through,” Hendricks added. “Sometimes just the little glimmer and they are drawn to the cross! God speaks in so many ways. When we do things here it is always around the cross. It either starts out or it ends up!”