It was still the coldest part of the year in North Eastern Pennsylvania, in 2008, when a small group of believers from Elmhurst Christian Center made a contact with the Assemblies of God. The governing body in the Elmhurst church had decided they wanted to move under the umbrella of the Assembly of God Fellowship. Their pastor, Doug Littleton, had been suffering from a car injury and decided to step down from the pulpit responsibilities the year before, and the church had been holding together with various Pastors filling the pulpit.
When the Assemblies were approached by the 'stone church', as it was referred to by the local people, they were pleased to oblige, with a condition...some of the debt would be paid down. The governing body of ECC agreed. They owned a diner next to the church and sold the property to an interested person who was renting it for his business. The A/G then took on the church as a 'home missions' church, and 5 area churches became it's governing board. The Associate Pastor, Ron Liples, from Dickson City Assembly (one of the churches involved) was asked to begin a rotation of Pastors to fill the pulpit until a Pastor could be located.
In May, 2008, Pastor Ron and his wife Donna made their way into the then-unknown territory of Elmhurst. They were graciously welcomed by 25 people anxious to fan the flame of worship and to study of the Word of God!
The governing body of the Assemblies of God decided that rather than rotate Pastors, it might be more beneficial to have Pastor Ron minister on a regular basis, giving a continuity that had not been at the church since the former pastor's accident.
Shortly thereafter, the church people decided they would like to keep Pastor Ron Liples as their minister, and the Assemblies agreed it was a good fit. In September of that year the 11 members of ECC decided to change the name to 'Cross Road Assembly', and a new church was born! On October 4th, 2008, in a packed evening service, Pastor Jim Rugg, the NE District presbytr for the Assemblies of God, officially transfered the 'mantle' of leadership from Pastor Littleton to Pastor Liples!
Since that day the church has been growing! The church currently supports eight missionaries. There are four 'Connection' groups on Sunday mornings. Youth group and Bible Study meet on Wednesday night. Women's and Men's Meetings are held on alternate Tuesday evenings, a monthly service will be held at St. Mary's Villa (a local Nursing Home) starting October, and an after school homework club will begin in September.
The Lord has been pouring out His presence in the services with miraculous healings. The prayer chain regularly sees God's intervention as prayer warriors hold requests up to the throne room of God!
While we anxiously await the return of Jesus for His Bride, we occupy with the words of John 4:35;
"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already ripe for the harvest!"
