Dear CrossNet Ministries’ Supporters,

I am both excited and sad to be writing my last End of Year Update to you as the Executive Director of CrossNet Ministries (CrossNet). I am excited because God has been doing so much at CrossNet, and I am honored to share an update with you. I am sad as I have personally loved writing to each of you for the last 17 years. To each person reading this, whether new to CrossNet or a faithful donor since CrossNet’s start in 1988, I want to say thank you. Your support, trust, and partnership has made CrossNet’s growth possible. Thank you for allowing God to use you and for making my time as the Executive Director so special.

Hebrews 12:1-2 states:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

It has been our prayer, that through this transition of leadership, that we would continue to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust God in the process. He is leading the way and reminding us that He is good, faithful, and trustworthy! As we continue into the new year, let us keep focused on the mission of offering help and hope in the name of Jesus by empowering people in the ELANCO community! The mission of sharing Jesus has remained the same since 1988 and will continue moving forward. I am blessed to have been a part of the journey, and I am excited for CrossNet, ELANCO, and the future!

While we are excited about what is coming in 2025, we also want to take time to pause and celebrate what God has done in 2024! Below are some updates from this past year as we offered help and hope in the name of Jesus together:

1. November Match – Throughout the month of November, donations were doubled from an incredible matching gift of $150,000 with the goal of raising $300,000 for programs and the general operating budget. I am excited to share we surpassed this goal, raising $318,686. Thank you for partnering with us to continue to offer help and hope in our community!

2. Warehouse Renovation Update – The warehouse renovation started in September 2024. Tono Group held a special groundbreaking ceremony for CrossNet Staff on October 14, 2024. To date, renovations have included floor cutting and roof renovations. Framing will begin in January 2025. The estimated completion date is August 2025. We are currently seeking an additional $600,000 toward renovations to complete the project debt free! To learn more about renovation costs or the project, please visit elancocross.org!

3. Program Updates – We are grateful that we can continue to expand programs in the community through each of CrossNet’s four Pillars. See some updates below!

`Three families graduated from Pathways to Housing this year. Each family was able to increase their income and other resources and move into long-term housing! We are grateful for their hard work and this program! 

Youth in grades 2^nd through 12^th can get connected to afterschool programs provided by CrossNet. A new program kicked off this year to offer a Mentor Program during the school day. We are excited to see how this program develops this coming year!

The Community Programs (Backpack, Winter Coat and Christmas Program) continue to grow. This year we distributed more resources than ever! For example, 724 Backpacks filled with supplies were distributed into the community in August 2024! 

With food needs rising, we are grateful to have expanded several of our food programs. We have expanded our weekend food solutions to ELANCO Middle & High School students with a Student Pantry happening once a week at the school. This program ensures teens have access to food on the weekends.

Below is a link to a Stats & Stories Update that has additional information from 2024. While there have been many programs and resources offered, I am grateful for the lives impacted. Students are hearing the Gospel in the Youth Center each week, youth are learning that God loves them in afterschool programs like Cross Jr., families can receive resources including food each week and parents are connected to programs like Getting Ahead. To hear Julia’s story, a participant involved in the Food Programs, please visit the “News/Stories” section of our website. Thank you for making this possible and impacting many lives!

CrossNet is prayerfully planning for 2025. Our 2024 Budget is $1,499,600, and I am grateful to share we have almost met our goal with your support and help through the November Match! We need $80,557 to reach our 2024 year-end goal. To continue to partner with us in the ministry and help us as we prepare for 2025, would you prayerfully consider making a year-end contribution?  Please send your tax-deductible donation to CrossNet in the enclosed envelope. 

I am deeply grateful for each one of you. While this is my last letter as the Executive Director, I will remain supportive of CrossNet! I will transition to a part-time role in January 2025 to help CrossNet complete the Warehouse Renovation Capital Campaign and help open the new building. I am excited to support CrossNet in this incredible endeavor. The Board of Directors will introduce a new Executive Director in the upcoming weeks. At that point, I will joyfully help onboard and pass the baton to the next leader at CrossNet Ministries! Thank you for your years of partnership and see you in 2025 as we fix our eyes on Jesus together.

Merry Christmas!

Meredith Dahl

Executive Director

Click here to view our 2024 Statistics Flyer and Story Highlights!

Please Save the Date for our Annual Banquet on Tuesday, March 25, 2025!