Restorative Work

Crossings doesn’t have a traditional “missions department” like many churches. We believe that God has sent all of us into the places where we live, work, and play to discover how God is already at work in those contexts and how we might participate (John 20:21). Because of this, we do our best to be faithfully present in the spaces where we gather for worship and we support and equip each other as we all seek the peace, wholeness, and restoration (shalom) of the places where we find ourselves in everyday life.

4 Market Square (4MS)

4MS was created to be a “spiritual center” for communites, artists, musicians, etc. to seek shalom in heart of Knoxville. We collaborate in this vision with the 4MS Board, Knoxville Fellows, the Downtown Ministers cohort, and are currently dreaming of ways to better use our space for the common good. Our current dreams include a Downtown recovery community, and a space to serve the Downtown hospitality industry.

Christenberry Elementary School

Our support for the school and neighborhood has included neighborhood block parties, renovating the teachers lounge, reading to students, book donations, care and encouragement of the faculty/staff, building and sustaining the PTA, raising money and advocating for a new playground, and intentional neighboring in the community.

This list of the restorative work being done by people in our community is not exhaustive. We hope to recognize, honor, and celebrate all those who work toward restoration in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, etc. These are simply a few places that have Crossings volunteers and are welcoming help. If you are involved with a ministry or organization not listed here and would like others at Crossings to join you, please let us know!

Beyond Borders: Haiti – working to overcome poverty, prevent violence and abuse, and develop leaders in Haiti
Contact Jonathan Scoonover (jscoonover@gmail.com)

Burwell Gardens – a neighborhood community garden in Oakwood-Lincoln Park Contact Ben Conaway (bconaway9@gmail.com)

Compassion Coalition – a member based organization that exists to help the collective church respond to the needs that often go unmet in our city.Contact Molly (molly@crossingsknoxville.com)

Christian Community Development Association – a non-profit organization that engages Christians in the process of community transformation. They provide spaces for practitioners and partners to learn, network, and collaborate. Their mission is to equip and empower Christ followers to impact broken systems with hope and the power of Christ’s Kingdom.Contact Molly (molly@crossingsknoxville.com)

For the Love of Reading – book giveaways and class readers to expand hearts & minds through the pure joy of reading Contact Beth Scoonover (bscoonover@gmail.com)

Isaiah 117 House – provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement. Contact Rebecca O’Malley (rebecca@crossingsknoxville.com.com)

Men of Valor – prison/jail ministry, aftercare services, family support for men in the criminal justice system Contact Eric Anderson (eric@movministry.com)

Olive Tree Early Learning Center – a nonprofit preschool making high quality early education accessible to Knoxville Contact Mandy Watson (mandy@olivetreelearning.org)

Renaissance Creations – restoring unlivable houses into affordable homes Contact Jonathan Branson or Ben Lawton (info@renaissancecreations.org)

The Restoration House – restoring single-mother families back to God’s good intent for their lives
Contact Marsha Haas (mghaas777@gmail.com) or Carrie Pickell (carrie@therestorationhouse.net)

One Sunday every year we “Celebrate Generosity” by inviting people to give three times what they would normally give to Crossings. All that money is then given away to three local organizations. Each year Crossings also gives away 10% of our annual budget to various local, national, and international organizations.