A condensed story appears in the Foundation’s newly published Annual Report …and God Does the Rest. The theme alludes to doing our part with the full assurance that faith brings.
Cross Connection is expanding its reach to help more young people encounter God and love their neighbors. The organization (formerly Carolina Cross Connection) has added partners in new states as part of a goal to become the leading mission trip experience for ages 12–25 from United Methodist and like-minded faith backgrounds.
With a perpetual income stream managed by the Foundation, Cross Connection will move toward an equitable pay model for college-age staff — without placing the full financial burden on participating churches.
“When we began exploring the idea of starting an endowment, we did our research,” said executive director Brittany Bethel (pictured below). “The Foundation stood out not only for offering the most competitive rates, but also for being an organization we already knew and trusted to manage our investment wisely.”
Hammers, lumber and inspiration
Founded in 1987 at First UMC Lincolnton, Cross Connection is best-known for sending youth groups to rural parts of North Carolina to build wheelchair ramps, stairs and handrails for elderly folks. When the workday ends, youth return to camp for worship and reflection on what they learned. Then it’s up at 7 a.m. to do it all again.
The idea is for students to spend a week being the hands and feet of Jesus — and go home inspired to work for justice in their own communities. In addition to serving 14 N.C. counties, Cross Connection runs an urban ministry in Asheville in partnership with Haywood Street Congregation and a site in Central America to support children’s homes in Honduran villages.
Brittany Bethel became executive director in 2017 after more than 12 years with the organization. Born and raised in Texas, Brittany holds degrees in music, worship theology and organizational leadership. From 2020-23, Brittany was also director of music and discipleship ministries at Light of Christ UMC in Charlotte, where she resides with her wife, Taylor.
How Cross Connection plans to grow
The work has taken on new resonance in the post-pandemic era. Many young people have lost a meaningful connection with the church, a trend that overlaps with a rise in mental health issues. At the same time, more of our neighbors struggle to afford basic needs like safe housing. Cross Connection sees a mission field rich in opportunity. Among the highlights of its expansion:
Following a pandemic-era drop, Cross Connection welcomed 677 campers in 2024 (up from 524 in 2021), including 10 first-time churches. Three of ten groups now come from out of state. God’s call, ministry leaders say, is to keep making room at the table. The goal: a 67% increase in overall participation over the next five years.
“The heart of Cross Connection is the same,” Brittany said. “We’re still rooted in Christ—and growing into a fuller vision of the Church.”
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