Many weeks at Crosswalk, there is a baptism. On Easter weekend, April 19, Kristina will be baptized, and Kyle will be welcomed through the profession of faith. Dozens of their friends and family from multiple states and six different denominational backgrounds will pour into town to experience the Easter service and witness their commitment. Several of those family members no longer attend the church of their past but cling to their relationship with Jesus through Crosswalk’s sermon podcast.
Kristina and Kyle independently moved to the Chattanooga area, found each other, and got married in 2015. Kristina grew up in the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cincinnati, while Kyle was raised in the Church of Christ in Nashville. By the time they met, neither had attended church for some time because of spiritual wounds, feelings of irrelevance, and the struggle to reconcile their religions with the Jesus depicted in scripture.
Throughout her journey, Kristina kept encountering individuals who couldn’t contain their enthusiasm for their church, Crosswalk. She stumbled upon them at the gym, at work, and randomly in the community. One day, she shared with her coworker, Heidi (a Crosswalk member), that she would attend church to hear a friend perform with the praise team. She did, and something clicked. Kristina was amazed at how quickly it felt like home. Then Kyle decided to join her.
Kyle wasn’t particularly interested in church, but he didn’t like Kristina going alone. Eventually, his willingness shifted to a desire to attend Crosswalk. Both had spent the past fifteen years away from a faith community, yet each felt a longing for Jesus that was beginning to be nurtured by love, acceptance, and immersion in the Word of God.
In the spring of 2024, Kristina reached out to meet with the pastor at a coffee shop and share her journey with Jesus. She mentioned that she was considering rebaptism but was scared and not quite ready. She also expressed excitement over her husband Kyle’s spiritual reawakening but didn’t want to push him. They agreed to keep meeting, praying, and growing together while patiently watching God lead.
That fall, Kristina was invited to serve the church as a photographer, providing images for social media and graphic design. Since October, she has been responsible for capturing many of the fourteen baptisms that have occurred. She has had a front-row view of others' commitments, which touched her heart as she reflected on her own interest in baptism.
Finally, Kristina recognized that it was time to make her commitment. However, she still wasn’t certain about what Kyle would choose to do. Later, while enjoying pizza with Pastor Dave and Caryl Lynn Ferguson, he revealed his desire to join the Crosswalk family through a profession of faith.
Kyle and Kristina express that God’s gift of the Sabbath has strengthened their journey with Jesus, reinforced their marriage, and deepened their connection with the Crosswalk family. Kristina shares, “I’ve never been celebrated at church. Church is where I’ve been condemned. But, it feels like every time I enter Crosswalk, something is healed that Crosswalk didn’t break.”
This past weekend, Kristina and Kyle brought Mitch to Crosswalk. Mitch is the young man who rents their apartment and has never been to a church service of any kind. His response? “That was incredible.”
So, the story continues as Jesus winds His way through this community of faith.
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