Cross Plains Church Dedicates Renovated Youth Building

Paola Mora Zepeda

Children from Cross Plains Church participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of their new youth building. In 2013, the church had no youth presence, but through prayer and community work, they began welcoming young people to their church.

Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Wells

Jeremy Wells, elder, leads prayer during Cross Plains Church’s Tuesday evening Prayer Meeting with the youth. The theme they follow is "Be An Example," based on 1 Timothy 4:12.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Wells

Children enjoy crafting during the Tuesday evening Prayer Meeting's activity time. Through their dedicated efforts to minister to youth, Cross Plains Church now welcomes an average of 12 children to church and other youth programs.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Wells

Young people from Cross Plains Church enjoy playing air hockey in their newly renovated youth building. The renovation involved significant investments, including window and roof replacements, plumbing repairs, fixture updates, and classroom remodeling.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Wells

The Cross Plains, Tenn., Church completed the renovation of its youth building and held a dedication ceremony on May 11, 2024, with the young people conducting the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This project was inspired by an ongoing effort to keep young people connected to God.

Despite not having any children in their congregation in 2013, Cross Plains Church members were inspired to minister to the youth in their community. They started by sponsoring local children to attend summer camp at Indian Creek Camp, covering all associated costs and providing necessary supplies.

“Even though [Cross Plains Church] didn’t have any young people, they had a desire to be youth-focused,” said Glenn Hill, pastor. “They wanted to let the young people know they were a big priority for them.”

Through their various efforts to minister to the youth, Cross Plains Church now welcomes an average of 12 children to their church or other youth programs.

In 2018, the church decided to renovate its old school building. The renovation was a significant investment that included replacing the windows and the roof, repairing plumbing, updating fixtures, and remodeling classrooms. The project was supported by prayers, donations, and volunteer work from church members, including some of the youth who participated in sanding floors and painting walls. The renovated building also features a game room with retro games like table football and air hockey.

With the new youth building, Cross Plains has even begun hosting a Tuesday evening Prayer Meeting for young people, themed “Be an Example,” based on 1 Timothy 4:12. Church members emphasize that the youth are not just the Church of tomorrow but the Church of today. This weekly gathering, through the help of the Holy Spirit, is bringing in the community children.

“My goal is to watch these young people grow and see them in the church in 5, 10, and 15 years from now as future leaders,” said Jeremy Wells, head elder. “I want God’s glory to shine through this generation of young people and future generations until Jesus comes.”

Kentucky-Tennessee | August 2024