Cross Connection Youth Center was formed in 1988 by a group of individuals at Weaverland Mennonite Church. In 1995, Cross Connection became an incorporated non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Over the years, Cross Connection Youth Center was located in several places around New Holland until the ministry purchased its first building in 2006 on Franklin Street.

In 2010, Cross Connection Youth Center became Cross Connection Ministries (CCM) when it expanded its programs to include mentoring, tutoring, free summer lunch, and emergency assistance. The Cross Connection Resource Center was opened in 2011. In 2014, the Board began to look for a larger facility for the Youth Center to support the growth of the program. In 2017, the new Youth Center was opened.

ELANCO Social Services Network (ESSN) started in January of 2011 due to an increased need of services that were overwhelming to the local churches. The local Ministerium, working with the community, established ESSN to meet the needs of those in the ELANCO area.

While CCM and ESSN partnered together on an on-going basis, conversations about program overlap began between the Board of Directors of CCM and ESSN. Upon dialogue and evaluation, overlap of programs and services was discovered, which caused confusion among participants and supporters. Participants were observed exerting much energy and effort going between CCM and ESSN to address the varied needs in their lives. Likewise, misunderstanding existed among the supporters of CCM and ESSN and the services each ministry provides to the community. After a year of prayer, discernment, and careful study, the CCM and ESSN Board of Directors determined merging both organizations was in the best interest of the participants and the ELANCO community. They believed the benefits of the merge would strengthen both organizations and the community as a whole! The merge would allow increased program impact, eliminate confusion, ensure no duplications of services, and show love to all participants in the name of Jesus Christ. The merger became effective January 1, 2017 with a new name of CrossNet Ministries. 

Since the merger, the organization has been able to grow and expand! CrossNet determined its four program areas would include: Youth, Social Services, Community, and Food & Nutrition. Additional programs have been able to be developed in these areas to continue to offer help and hope including after-school programs, a transportation ministry, a workforce development program, and more! And after the merge, CrossNet was also able to expand housing programs and started a new program called Pathways to Housing. In 2021, CrossNet purchased an apartment building for Pathways to Housing. Today, CrossNet has 12 units for transitional and long-term housing programs. With growing programs and needs in the community, CrossNet has needed additional space for programs and offices. In 2023, CrossNet purchased a large warehouse across the street from its offices for additional space. With the support of the community, the building was purchased debt free. CrossNet is currently working to begin renovations in fall of 2024! 

We are excited about what God is going to continue to do as we work together as a community to offer help and hope in the name of Jesus.