Our Story
Three words describe the history of Crossline Church: Prayer, Faith and Relationships. In the fall of 2004 I began to seriously pray about the future God had for me and my family. I was at a crossroads in ministry and needed clear direction from God. I went to Forest Home, a Christian conference center in the San Bernardino Mountains and earnestly sought the Lord. Praying on the spot where God spoke to Billy Graham, I asked God to speak to me about where and how He wanted me to serve Him. That time of prayer launched a 10 day period of prayer and fasting to seek the confirmation and leading of God. True to His Word, God spoke to me and others about the vision to start a church that would reach both seekers and committed disciples with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. For a period of four months, a weekly prayer meeting gathered to pray and dream about God’s direction. Following the pattern of the early disciples in Acts 1-2, the founding core group of Crossline spent a focused 10 day season of prayer before it launched the first public worship services in February of 2005. A little over 4 years later we spent another focused period of prayer concerning a move from the high school campus to a permanent home for our church. That season of prayer was answered miraculously by God and Crossline now meets at its 25 acre home in Laguna Hills. Prayer continues to be a core value for the daily life of Crossline and for its vision of the future.
Crossline began as a commitment of faith. Not sponsored by any denomination, foundation or church, the Pastors and volunteers stepped into an initial ministry with a million dollar a year budget. Having no meeting place, offices or staff, within a few months God miraculously answered prayer and provided everything we needed to be a mobile church. From its inception, Crossline has had a core commitment to believe great things about God, to ask great things of God and attempt great things for God! What began as a prayer meeting with 16 people has grown to a local church of 2,000 worshippers in less than 6 years. In our first five years over 900 people have crossed the line, publicly surrendering their lives to Christ and over 600 people have been baptized.
Crossline is a testament to what God can do through like-minded people who love Him, love one another and have a blast! Next to God and my wife Donna, I credit my fellow executive Pastors for their encouragement and sacrificial faith in starting Crossline. Greg Munck, Darren King and Dean-o Lies have not only been outstanding servants of God, they have been ministry partners, and friends. In addition to these dedicated Pastors, Erik Williams our Youth Pastor and Lori Marshall our Director of Women’s Ministry have been with us from the beginning helping to shape the culture and vision of Crossline. God has brought wonderful staff and amazing people to be a part of Crossline. We are a new community of Christ followers, who are being changed by God and who have a vision to change the world. Loving God and loving people are indispensable to that vision.
Crossline Church is a body made up of people who acknowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and the Head of the Church. Whether you are a first time visitor or have been with us from day one, you are a vital part of our church right now and of the community He is shaping us to be for the future. Let me encourage you to surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and to ask Him to fully accomplish all of His purposes in your life and for His Church. Together we can do great things for God!
JP Jones
Founding and Senior Pastor