Crossroads United Methodist Church pays off mortgage, becomes a center of community and hope

KIMBERLY, Idaho - The Crossroads United Methodist Church in Kimberly, Idaho, has reached a major milestone by paying off its mortgage, only a year after the arrival of new pastor, Rev. Amanda-Gayle Reed. The congregation had long dreamed of building a new location that would be more accessible to the community and had been working hard to raise funds for the project. The church was completed in the early 2000s with a plan to purchase a large property and sell off the additional land to a housing development project to recoup some of the funds. However, when the housing market crashed in 2008, their plans were put on hold after the new church faced foreclosure.

But just as all hope seemed lost, an anonymous donor stepped forward with a generous gift, along with smaller donations from members of the congregation.

This, combined with a sizable endowment left by a long-time member of the congregation, "Tiny" Pettygrove, who passed away, allowed the church to fully pay off its mortgage. To celebrate this milestone, the church held a "Mortgage Burning" Celebration.

The new church facility has brought a new-found attention to the church and has allowed them to become a community center for the city. The church now is able to host a wide range of programs and events, including parent-child lessons on how to avoid scams, a suicide prevention program, a workout class for mothers and even a laser tag fun day for kids. The church is also committed to supporting local organizations and promoting education in the community.

Reed is proud of the congregation's efforts to be inclusive and welcoming. 

"We want people to know how incredibly welcome this church is," said Reed. "We jump right in and support our community. We want everyone to know that they can step right in and feel warmly loved and welcome."

The church also aims to be a symbol of unity in divisive times, showing that it is possible to stand on opposite sides of the fence yet still love one another. With the mortgage paid off, the church now has funds for outreach, and plans to continue to serve the community in the future.

The story of Crossroads United Methodist Church is one of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges they faced, the congregation never gave up on their dream of building a new church, and have now succeeded in doing so. The church is now a beacon of hope for the community, a place where people can come together, find support and make a positive impact on the lives of others.