Crossroads Amsterdam came into being in 1987, founded by missionaries of Christian Associates International (CA). In a team led by Linus Morris, who became Crossroads' first pastor, CA were seeing people come to faith who either had no church background or had had negative experiences of church.
Using the English language as a common bond, the church began with just three international families: Within three years it was a community of about 300 people from Amsterdam and the surrounding area. Although many were internationals, Dutch people also joined and Crossroads soon became both an international and a local church. This has remained the pattern, and today Crossroads is a community of 40 nationalities. Some of our members are 'expats’ - people on short or mid-term assignments in Holland - but many are permanent residents, both Dutch and non-Dutch.
Around 1500 people come to Crossroads each week. We have many families in the church, matched by a large number of single people and under 40's. Students, young working adults and couples who are not yet parents make up around half our church.
Our Sunday gatherings take place in a school building in Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam. We have three services on a Sunday: at 09:36, 11:10, and 12:49. They are built on a strong commitment to worship and biblical teaching, while being at all times accessible to people with no church background. To be 'strong at the centre but open at the edge' means to make room for all those wanting to explore what it might mean to encounter God today. And then to make sure that such an encounter can take place!
We also meet in LIFEgroups during the week, with 55 groups meeting across the greater Amsterdam area. Many people are also in accountability relationships, often in groups of three, linked to our Mens and Womens ministries or other teams within the community. Being plugged into a small group or ministry is the best way to really experience community at Crossroads.
Our Ministry Centre in Amstelveen is able to host groups of up to 70 people, and is the venue for our Alpha courses, 'Equip' courses and prayer gatherings such as the monthly Fresh Friday event.
The church also mobilises over 400 volunteers, working in around 25 teams. Some serve on Sundays, others throughout the week. There are plenty of opportunities at Crossroads to get involved and those who serve will tell you it is the best possible way to engage with the community.
Our staff team and ministry volunteers work together to ensure that those who gather on Sundays are empowered to 'take the next step' in their journey of faith, and we express this in terms of five key areas:
Get Some Help - by receiving personal prayer or counselling, and making contact with our prayer and pastoral teams.
Get Connected - to LIFEgroups and other community groups for all ages: Developing friendship, nurturing spiritual growth and applying faith to life.
Get Involved - through serving as a volunteer, discovering your gifts and taking the Unique Design course.
Get Equipped - by committing to a short course or ongoing study programme in Biblical studies; spiritual growth; life skills and leadership development.
Get Going - by joining in a short-term mission trip, engaging in local projects or supporting through finance, awareness and prayer the missionaries of our community.
