La Croix Church marking its 25th year with deeds and worship

From a mall movie theater to a home of its own, one local church is celebrating 25 years of service and fellowship.

The La Croix Church celebration, known as "One Event, Two Days," begins with more than 70 service projects planned across the community all day Saturday and ends with a worship celebration at the Show Me Center on Sunday evening. According to Ron Watts, founding pastor of La Croix, this event is unlike any other held by the church.

Typically, Watts said the church holds three services over the weekend to accommodate its large membership. Sunday will mark the first time since 1995 that all the members will come to worship together.

But before they congregate, members will disperse to take part in construction, beautification and other service projects in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and beyond. Watts said being involved in the community and serving others is a very important part of the church's mission.

"The church is here to serve and make a positive impact on the community and the world," he said.

Ron Watts

Watts said about 600 people signed up to participate in Saturday's various service projects.

The church has grown so rapidly over the years, he said it's difficult to put a number on its congregation.

In October 1988, the church opened in a movie theater in West Park Mall. Seven years later, the church bought land on Lexington Avenue to construct a building of its own.

"In a matter of months of leaving the theater, our congregation doubled in size," Watts said.

The church is on Lexington today, but the building has undergone several renovations to accommodate growing membership. To explain the growth of the church, Watts compared it to gardening by quoting the Apostle Paul: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow."

When the church comes together Sunday, it will take time to reminisce, but mostly the event is about celebration. The church choir will perform, and special guest Bill Hybels will speak. Hybels is the senior pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, where the Global Leadership Summit originated.

More than 300 cities in North America host the summit, and events are held internationally in 92 countries. La Croix church has been a host for four years; before that, Watts said several members would travel to Chicago for the summit.

"Many of our people have heard him speak, so those who are familiar with him are very excited," he said.

While he enjoys hearing Hybels speak, Watts said what he anticipates most is seeing the entire church come together.

"For me, I'm mostly excited about us all being together at one time under one roof," he said.

The 25th anniversary worship celebration is a free event and will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Show Me Center.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

3102 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo