The CrossRoads Board of Directors has just approved our 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. In addition to serving our strong base of clients from local churches and suburbs, we have made Creating Access to Quality Clinical Christian Counseling for Diverse Populations a strategic goal. We plan to do this in three key ways over the next three years:
Implement supervision of counseling apprentices in London. Partnering with Serge, who places mission apprentices all over the globe, and Covenant Seminary, who is committed to placing people where God is calling them to serve, CrossRoads is providing supervision to counseling graduates from Covenant Seminary who want to serve in an apprenticeship with a multi-ethnic population in London. Counseling hours conducted by apprentices can then count toward their licensure in the State of Missouri.
Offer counseling to the community surrounding the Delmar Divide. Last year, CrossRoads was approached by a local urban pastor about opening a satellite office in his community, at the heart of the Delmar Divide, often considered the racial boundary line in St. Louis. At the same time, we received an inquiry from a counseling intern, a lifelong resident of University City, who passionately wanted to do her internship at CrossRoads. One year later, we have the elements in place to begin seeing clients at Grace and Peace Fellowship. If funding allows, we will open this location in the fall of 2017. Watch a brief documentary on the Delmar Divide at bbc.com
Plant a sister non-profit in rural Illinois. For the last two years, staff member Patty Roosevelt has been providing pro-bono counseling to rural residents in Columbia, IL. As she approaches full dual licensure in both MO and IL, we are helping her create a non-profit that can generate the support of local congregations and come to a vehicle to expand her thriving work with these underserved clients.
Patty will continue to see clients at our West County office in addition to leading this new ministry.
Please be in prayer for God’s guidance and financial provision as we step forward in faith with the vision God has given us.