Celebrating the Past
|
| Crossroads Ministries
Founders |
Ray "Pappy" & Anna
Backlund
Founders of Crossroads Ministries
 |
As
a child of the Great Depression, "Pappy" Ray Backlund was
raised with mafia kids on the streets up North. Unchurced
through most
of his youth, he joined the army at 19 years old. Mrs. Anna
was raised in a godly home, very much centered in the life
of the the curch. Though raised from different points in
life,
both lived with hard-working, wonderful parents.
Pappy
and Mrs. Anna met while he was in the army. He served with
the 24th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater during
World War II. Pappy and Mrs. Anna have been married for more
than 60 years and have raised three boys, one of whom serves
in ministry here at Crossroads.
During
their lives together, Pappy has served in Law Enforcement
and spent 23 years teaching in Lee County Schools and Community
College. Mrs. Anna also worked for 19 years as a secretary
in the Lee County School System. |
"PROVISION
FOR THE VISION" |
| It
was after retiring that God began to move on the heart of
Pappy about this ministry. The following is a portion of
an interview given by Pappa and Mrs. Anna about our church
history: |
| What
led you to start this church? |
| Pappy: |
I
was involved with bikers at the local prison. You see, the
bikers identified themselves as a nation within a nation.
I knew this wasn't right, and I wanted them to identify themselves
with Christ. The Lord began to deal with me about starting
a
church for bikers and I thought, "Not me, I can't do it."
But He pressed me again and again. So I sat down at my kitchen
table and wrote God a letter. He spoke to me clear as day
and
said, "I HAVE THE PROVISION FOR THE VISION." I said, "Okay,
I'll do it." I started inviting them to the old American Legion
Building. I told them there was no dress code - they could
come as they were - but that I did have three shelves: one
for helments, one for weapons and one for attitudes! |
| Mrs.
Anna, What did you think when he told you about God's leading? |
| Mrs.
Anna: |
We've
always stuck together. I've always believed this church
belonged to the Lord: we really had nothing to do with
it. |
| How
has being used by God for this purpose impacted your lives? |
| Pappy: |
Very
humbling. By rights, this should never have happened to me. |
| Mrs.
Anna: |
As
I look back, I see where God has led us every step of the
way. |
| How
do you feel today when you drive up to Crossroads? |
| Pappy: |
They
know we are here - Broadway, that is. I was never worried about
it becoming too big. I was just glad God gave us a place of
our own - for the bikers and such. |
| Mrs.
Anna: |
I
feel that God has blessed us personally every time I see
people come to this church. |
We
thank God for trusting these two willing servants with his
vision for this ministry. To God be the glory, and may he continue
to bless Ray "Pappy" and Mrs. Anna Backlund.
|
Crossroads
Ministries' first services were in July 1993. God
continued to grow and bless the vision he had placed in
Brother Ray and Sister
Anna. In April 1995, Crossroads Ministries accepted
Rev. John Sauls as it's first pastor. Since 1995,
God has continued to bless and unfold new chapters of HIS vision
for Crossroads Ministries. Under the leadership of
Pastor John and Mardie Sauls, God has blessed Crossroads
Ministries as a "mixed multitude" of people. With
the purchase of twenty-nine and a half acres, the addition
of more staff, Crossroads has positioned itself to continue
that vision which God birthed in the hearts of Pappy and
Anna Backlund. |
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