Our Story as was told in the Laredo Morning Times on Sunday, October 8th
If you’ve ever driven down International Boulevard, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Church of the Crossroads. While it may be something you just pass by, stepping in would reveal that there’s more to the Crossroads than meets the eye. Laredo Church of the Crossroads has been a Christ-centered institution that has served Laredo, and the nations, for forty years. Tucked into the corner of International blvd, The Crossroads has continued the goal of providing stability and vision to the community of Laredo. It doesn’t look like they are stopping any time soon.
The Crossroads has been around for these four decades, but they haven’t always been at their location on International Blvd. In fact, Pastor Norman and Sandra Howell didn’t even grow up in the city. The two senior pastors met through ministry on the mission field, where they married (now for forty-seven years). Together they founded their missions organization, Latin Harvest. For years God gave them favor and considerable impact through evangelism throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States. Then following a call from God they established their headquarters in Laredo. As they set roots in this city, they felt “Guided” to establish a Christ Centered church with its singularly own unique vision and flavor. Starting at La Posada hotel in October of 1983, then they served the community for seven years on Calle del Norte in a rented facility until 1990 when they acquired the property we see today at 1301 International Blvd.
While they may have left the literal mission field, their work (and the work of The Crossroads) has never left missions. In fact, the Crossroads ministry has ties, supports, and works on three separate continents. Pastor Sandra, as well, has traveled the globe to minister & share the Good News of Christ’s love. While their primary focus is the people of Laredo, they continue to serve Latin America, the United States, and multiple countries around the world. Their mission: to make disciples of Christ in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
While there are quite a lot of events around the globe that The Crossroads is involved in, their main focus is what happens on their 7 acre campus. Crossroads has weekly classes for every demographic, from children and teens to adults and senior citizens. The Crossroads also hosts weekly support groups for those in grief (GriefShare) and those who have dealt with divorce. On top of all of that, they host a multitude of events and groups such as , Men of Promise, Women United, Gatekeepers Prayer, the boy scouts, weddings, quinceañeras, and the like in the beautiful Heritage Park they have on their campus. The Crossroads is also on the cusp of completing their 8,400 square foot CFC Crossroads Family Center that is connected to their main building — a goal that Norman and Sandra believe will serve their vision for healthy families. That vision: to “reach up” in worship, to “reach out” in evangelism, and to “reach in” with discipleship.
While you may have never stepped into this beautiful church at 1301 International Blvd., it may be time you did. Built to reflect stability and beauty on the outside it is modern, relevant and filled with love within. Laredo Church of the Crossroads is saturated with events that serve the people of Laredo. While it has been forty years of work for both Norman and Sandra Howell, the call that God gave them for Laredo Church of the Crossroads doesn’t seem anywhere close to finishing.In fact, it seems that The Crossroads may very well just be getting started.
In the end of things their goal is to be a Christ Centered church through not only the pastors and their amazing team but through a congregation of stable, and fulfilled lovers of Jesus.
If you’ve ever driven down International Boulevard, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Church of the Crossroads. While it may be something you just pass by, stepping in would reveal that there’s more to the Crossroads than meets the eye. Laredo Church of the Crossroads has been a Christ-centered institution that has served Laredo, and the nations, for forty years. Tucked into the corner of International blvd, The Crossroads has continued the goal of providing stability and vision to the community of Laredo. It doesn’t look like they are stopping any time soon.
The Crossroads has been around for these four decades, but they haven’t always been at their location on International Blvd. In fact, Pastor Norman and Sandra Howell didn’t even grow up in the city. The two senior pastors met through ministry on the mission field, where they married (now for forty-seven years). Together they founded their missions organization, Latin Harvest. For years God gave them favor and considerable impact through evangelism throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States. Then following a call from God they established their headquarters in Laredo. As they set roots in this city, they felt “Guided” to establish a Christ Centered church with its singularly own unique vision and flavor. Starting at La Posada hotel in October of 1983, then they served the community for seven years on Calle del Norte in a rented facility until 1990 when they acquired the property we see today at 1301 International Blvd.
While they may have left the literal mission field, their work (and the work of The Crossroads) has never left missions. In fact, the Crossroads ministry has ties, supports, and works on three separate continents. Pastor Sandra, as well, has traveled the globe to minister & share the Good News of Christ’s love. While their primary focus is the people of Laredo, they continue to serve Latin America, the United States, and multiple countries around the world. Their mission: to make disciples of Christ in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
While there are quite a lot of events around the globe that The Crossroads is involved in, their main focus is what happens on their 7 acre campus. Crossroads has weekly classes for every demographic, from children and teens to adults and senior citizens. The Crossroads also hosts weekly support groups for those in grief (GriefShare) and those who have dealt with divorce. On top of all of that, they host a multitude of events and groups such as , Men of Promise, Women United, Gatekeepers Prayer, the boy scouts, weddings, quinceañeras, and the like in the beautiful Heritage Park they have on their campus. The Crossroads is also on the cusp of completing their 8,400 square foot CFC Crossroads Family Center that is connected to their main building — a goal that Norman and Sandra believe will serve their vision for healthy families. That vision: to “reach up” in worship, to “reach out” in evangelism, and to “reach in” with discipleship.
While you may have never stepped into this beautiful church at 1301 International Blvd., it may be time you did. Built to reflect stability and beauty on the outside it is modern, relevant and filled with love within. Laredo Church of the Crossroads is saturated with events that serve the people of Laredo. While it has been forty years of work for both Norman and Sandra Howell, the call that God gave them for Laredo Church of the Crossroads doesn’t seem anywhere close to finishing.In fact, it seems that The Crossroads may very well just be getting started.
In the end of things their goal is to be a Christ Centered church through not only the pastors and their amazing team but through a congregation of stable, and fulfilled lovers of Jesus.
