IMPACT MAGAZINE Spring Edition '20

Spring/Summer Edition

IMPACT Crossover Community Impact Magazine

2020 Spring/Summer Edition

Restoring Our Community

2011

I M PA C T

Volume 4, Number 6 2020 Spring/ Summer Edition

EDITOR Rondalyn Abode, Director of Development

ART/DESIGN Janice Connolly, MBA Director of Marketing & Design

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PHILIP ABODE DR. JOHN ABRAHAM K. MICHELLE BARNETT JEAN BARRETT JOHN HOLLIDAY, JR ROBERT MARSHALL SAM RADER CHRIS THRUTCHLEY O.C. WALKER

ABOUT US IMPACT is published two times a year: Winter and Summer.

Crossover Community Impact 940 East 36th Street North Tulsa, OK 74106 (918) 856-5377 www.crossoverimpact.org info@crossoverimpact.org

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At the beginning of the year, I had a sense that 2020 was going to be a big year for my family and the Crossover family. At the time I was thinking primarily about the possibility of starting construction for the Crossover Community Center. I had no idea that I would find out that Ronnie and I would be expecting our third child (September due date), and I definitely did not think that I would have to learn how to lead in the midst of a global pandemic. Crossover Bible Church celebrated its 14th anniversary this past Resurrection Sunday. During that time God has graciously brought us through several storms and unexpectant twists and turns. His faithfulness over the years gives me confidence that He is going to bring us through this difficult season in our community’s life. Ronnie and I moved to north Tulsa with the hope of being a part of a church that was going to make a tangible difference in its community. The COVID-19 outbreak gives us another opportunity to love and serve the north Tulsa community faithfully.

In this edition of the Crossover magazine, you will not only get to read about some of the ways that COVID-19 has impacted Crossover, but you will get to read stories of some of the amazing folks that God has brought to be a part of the Crossover family. Even though God has done more than we can ask or imagine over the past eight years of Crossover Community Impact’s existence, His goodness to us is most clearly seen in the people that He has called to join us in this work. I am sure that you will see exactly what I am talking about when you get to read their stories. Hearing how this work impacts them and seeing their impact on others always encourages me.

My hope is that as you read this current edition of our magazine, you will share my excitement for the amazing work that God is accomplishing in our community! When I look at everything He has done, there is no way that any of us can take credit for it. I am so thankful for the great team of folks we have who truly believe that God is up to something special in our community.

I want to thank you for partnering with us in this most important work. Your prayers, financial support, and volunteer hours have played a key role in the life of Crossover. The stories in this magazine are your stories too. Please be encouraged as we seek to restore our community through reconciliation, love and justice.

Grace and Peace,

FACEBOOK facebook.com/crossoverimpact INSTAGRAM instagram.com/crossover communityimpact TWITTER twitter.com/crossoverimpact

Philip Abode Co-Founder Crossover Community Impact

Coffee & Convo at Crossover Preparatory Academy

What’s Inside Features 4. Crossover Community Impact 6. Crossover Preparatory Academy

We would love the opportunity to get to know you and to treat you to coffee at Crossover Prep.

8. Crossover Kids Program 10. StreetLeader Program

Please join us for convocation and a tour to learn how you can make an impact in north Tulsa.

12. Crossover Sports Association 14. Crossover Bible Church 16. Crossover Development

Company

18. Crossover Health Services 20. Crossover Community Center 22. Crossover Community Impact -End of Year Campaign Cover Photo: StreetLeader, Aaqib Barnett

Every 2nd Wednesday Starting September 9, 2020 8:30 A.M.- 9:30 A.M. 5424 N. Madison Avenue Tulsa, OK 74126 RSVP (T) 539.777.2559

Crossover Community Impact We are committed to restoring our community through reconciliation, love and justice.

Crossover Prep’s Scholarship Prom

by Rondalyn Abode

I

often come up with crazy ideas, and most times, my husband helps “ground me,” but I was beyond excited when I came up with the idea of an Adult Prom Fundraiser for Crossover Prep!

Imagine dressing up as though you were going to a themed prom as an adult where you knew that no matter what happened, you would be making an IMPACT in the lives of young men, all by having a good time! Oh and of course there would be voting for a Prom King and Queen; what prom would be complete without them?!

I was almost devastated for the second year in a row when we were on the verge of having to push out this event that we had been envisioning for yet another year. We had everything, the perfect theme, “The Roaring 20s!” And we had the perfect location, “The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame,” but we were missing the much needed Prom King and Queen candidates! We prayed and fasted and just like God often does, He provided at the very last minute! We were blessed with our 6th candidate, our third

This event provided the fifIrst opportunity to introduce crowdfunding to crossover’s fundraising repertoire.

-<Rondalyn A. Prom Queen candidate, and she was so excited that I had to push everything into overdrive to make it all happen! Mind you, we decided to have this event with only 9 weeks to prepare.

I was able to get the materials, the committee, the voting process created, and we were off to the races! I don’t think I mentioned how voting works! So, the candidates agreed to raise $6,500 or the cost of one scholarship for a student at Crossover Prep! Each vote is the equivalent of a $10 donation. This was absolutely beautiful for me because this event provided the first opportunity to introduce crowdfunding to Crossover’s fundraising repertoire. For the first time, we were planning an event where other people were fundraising on our behalf!

Pictures above: 2021 Prom King & Queen Candidates. Top Row r to l: Brandon Oldham, Barbara Radar and Philip Mooberry; Bottom Row r to l: Jamie Jobe, Sean Kouplen, and Kuma Roberts

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It was exhilarating! Exciting! Amazing! And a lot of work, and in the end, we had to push the event out until February 20, 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are still enthused, and we will have our first Scholarship Prom King and Queen crowned in 2021! We will dress up in our best 1920s ensembles, and we will praise God for the amazing things He has done! Just you wait!

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Crossover Community Impact

Rondalyn Abode is passionate about bringing God the most glory, and she believes that her role as the Director of Development for CCI is instrumental in her doing just that! She has been married to her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Honey,â&#x20AC;? Philip Abode, for 18 years, and she has the sheer joy of watching God transform him daily. She is most inspired by her two little people, Temple and Priest, and she along with the rest of her family are preparing to meet the newest addition, a little lady to be born in September (just like her sister and brother).

Please go to www.crossoverimpact.org and www.crossoverscholarshipfund.org to learn more about Crossover Community Impact, the Crossover Scholarship Fund, and the great community development work the team is doing!

CrossoverPREP

We are committed to developing educated, godly young men who love north Tulsa.

A Parent’s Perspective

by Angie Walker

tion, we began to speak about our lives and the paths we were on, mutual folks we knew (including the fact that we had met years before at my sister’s salon), etc.

She also began to talk to me about her husband who was the pastor of an incredible church named Crossover Bible Church, and she invited me and my family to attend.

Top Picture: Angie with her family

I

remember meeting Rondalyn Abode in the Spring of 2014. She was the Family-Community Coordinator for Tulsa Educare, Inc., but she was also a concerned parent who was searching for a school for her children. I am the District Director of Family and Community Partnerships at Tulsa Legacy Charter School, and so our relationship began with an emphasis on education. Both of our schools were committed to building relationships in the community, and both of our jobs were focused on building up students and families through education and various supports. Within an hour of our initial conversa-

Soon after our first visit, Pastor Philip said Crossover planned to start an all-boys private school in the community. It would be a 7th-12th grade school that would be committed to developing college and career ready leaders in north Tulsa. We enrolled our son Carl as a 7th grader, and he is now in the 8th grade. We are so proud of our son’s progress at Crossover Preparatory Academy. He has been on the Honor Roll, and he has been actively involved in many activities as the result of the school’s emphasis on academics and extracurricular activities! We have been very pleased, and we look forward to the day that our daughter, Makala, can join him as a student at Crossover Prep’s all-girls school.

After enrolling Carl, Jr. at Crossover Prep, we decided to attend Crossover Bible Church, and we subsequently became members in the Spring of 2019.

The greatest IMPACT for us, of being a part of the Crossover family, has been the perspective shift we have experienced. We now see that taking care of the community is not an option it’s a priority. Crossover is a place where you are accepted just the way you are, and yet held accountable to be all that God has called you to be. It’s a place to grow spiritually, and

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you will be able to serve and help build up the community both physically and spiritually according to your gifts, talents, and abilities. I have never been to a multicultural church like Crossover. I have met some amazing people, and I believe a lot of racial barriers and stereo-types have been broken down due to the opportunities to build relationships within the church. I see and feel love from the members and it feels like home! As of now I recently signed up to teach Kindergarten- 2nd grade during our Growing Together time following the worship service; it’s our version of Sunday School. I am looking to make an IMPACT by continuing to share the gospel with the children who attend. And I can’t wait to see the IMPACT that focusing on education makes in my son’s and other students’ lives pairing it with an emphasis on the gospel’s transformative power.

The greatest impact for us, of being a part of the crossover family, has been the perspective shift we have experienced.

Picture above: Angie with her husband , Carl

-<Angie W.

Picture above: Angie with Crossover Bible Church friends

Angie Walker is the District Director of Family & Community Partnerships at Tulsa Legacy Charter School. She’s been married for 15 years to the love of her life, Carl Walker, Sr. They have 2 children, a son named Carl who is 13 years old and a daughter named Makala who is 10 years old. The Walker Family has been a huge blessing to Crossover Bible and to Crossover Prep as they have sought to pursue excellence while joyfully serving others whenever the opportunity arises.

If you would like to learn more about Crossover Prep Academy, please go to www.crossoverprep.org.

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Crossover Community Impact

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Crossover Scholarship Fund

These students are our future health professionals, social workers, teachers, policy makers, and military men—they are the future of our nation.

We must do more. And with your help, we can. If you would like to learn more about the Crossover Scholarship Fund, please go to www.crossoverscholarshipfund.org.

Crossover Kids Our STEAM-based After-School and Summer Enrichment Program at Hawthorne Elementary School.

Pictures above: (L) Ahzeah with College Intern, Courtney Wright; (R) Ahzeah giving an â&#x20AC;&#x153;A+ attitude.â&#x20AC;?

Full STEAM Ahead

by Ahzeah Walker

O

ne day my mother told me that my siblings and I were going to be in a Summer Camp program called Crossover Kids. I felt happy because I would not have to be at home during the summer playing with toys that I really did not like to play with. At Crossover Kids Summer Camp, we did a lot of fun activities like STEAM. In STEAM class, we built a replica of the Crossover Community Center out of 4,000 LEGOs. We learned about construction, too. I learned how to construct with toys (LEGOs) while following a blue print among other things.

My teacher at Crossover Kids Summer Camp was Ms. Courtney.

She was nice and funny! She always made jokes. When I met her again at the Crossover Kids After-School Program, I was so excited because she was one of my favorite college staff members at Summer Camp!

Being a part of Crossover has helped me make new friends and has made my life more fun. It has also given me nice, trustworthy

people to talk to when I am upset, mad, or crying. During the summer, I remember a time where one of my friends thought her parent had forgotten about her birthday. So, my other friends and I went to our college staff leader and asked if we could throw a party for her. She said yes; so, we did! We had cookies, and we gave her presents. We all went home happy that day!

At Crossover, we care about each other and help each other out. I would describe Crossover as fun, as funny, and as a place that has nice people. It is also the best after-school program out of all the after-school programs! I want to thank the people who make Crossover possible because they are helping make a change in the community.

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At Crossover, we care about each other and help each other Out.

-Ahzeah W.

Pictures Above: Crossover Kids Summer STEAM program in action.

Ahzeah Walker is a 5th grade student at Hawthorne Elementary School. She first became part of the Crossover community during the Summer of 2019 by attending Summer Camp with her younger siblings. Ahzeah, as well as her brothers, Ronald and Romelle, and sister, Roniyah, are bright and happy children who enjoy being a part of the Crossover Kids Summer Camp and After-School Program.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a joy to have their family participate in Crossover Kids!

To learn more about our STEAM-based After-School and Summer Day Camp at Hawthorne Elementary School, please go to www.crossoverimpact.org/crossover-kids/.

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Crossover Community Impact

StreetLeaders StreetLeaders work as counselors, tutors and mentors for our elementary age students within the Crossover Kids program.

Pictures above: (Top image) Crossover Kid working on Math problems; (Bottom L) Street Leader Training and (Bottom R) Mikayla Titus

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Making an IMPACT

by Mikayla Titus

I

was first introduced to Crossover in January of 2019 while I was a Junior at McLain High School. A family member who worked at Hawthorne told me about the Crossover Kids After-School Program.

I have always enjoyed working with kids and since I had volunteered at Youth at Heart, I found out more about the program and applied to be a StreetLeader.

Crossover has had such a big impact in my life. I love working with children and Crossover gives me the opportunity to do just that! I remember one day, a student in my group was having a rough day and was frustrated. She did not want to open up to her peers, me, or even the other StreetLeaders or College Staff. Eventually, as I kept after her she opened up and told me what was going on. I gave her advice and encouraged her. After that conversation, she had a better day. The fact that I know that I made her day better made me proud and happy. Other times, the kids may have trouble with a math problem, and I help them with the problem stepby-step. Eventually, they understand and then they are able to do the next problem on their own.

Another way Crossover has had a great impact in my life has been with my own academics. Through the StreetLeader Program, I am able to get the support I need to finish High School. Before the StreetLeader Program, I was easily distracted from my school work, and I had trouble with procrastination. I needed Power Hour through the StreetLeader Program. In Power Hour, we talk about going to college and being successful in life. A lot of students without Power Hour do not do well in school because they do not have someone talking to them about the importance of planning for their future, so they do not try their best. After hearing

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Picture above: Mikayla serving with other StreetLeaders at the Tulsa Dream Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

about college and ways to be successful, I was motivated to stop messing around when it came to school and to get my stuff together. Now with the proper help and supports, I have become a straight A student!

I love working with children and Crossover gives me the opportunity to do just that!

makes an impact in north Tulsa, because if the StreetLeader Program were taken away then the students at Hawthorne would not have the extra help needed. We help kids grow academically and personally. We even teach them how to take ownership of their own mistakes.

Working for the Crossover Kids Program has inspired me to study Early Childhood Education. I want to continue working with kids and watching them grow. Teaching kids and knowing I am making a difference in not only their lives but their parents lives as well, will make me feel like I have accomplished a lot in my life.

-<Mikayla t.

If I were to describe Crossover, I would tell someone that we are all family here and we each play an important role that does not go unnoticed. Everyone is genuinely caring and loving. You will be able to try new things and have the most fun while establishing lifelong friendships. The people of Crossover give you the support you need to make it to where you want go!

I think my current role at Crossover

Crossover Community Impact

Mikayla Titus is a Senior at McClain High School in north Tulsa. She is a sweet and kind young lady who enjoys being a part of the StreetLeader Program. Her quiet yet graceful personality has enabled her to connect with her students in a unique way.

If you would like to learn more about the StreetLeader program, please go to www.crossoverimpact.org/youth-jobs/.

CROSSOVER

LIONS

We are committed to producing athletes that excel both on and off the field.

Pictures above: Trinity with Olympian Tommie Smith and running hurdles.

Training with CSA

by Trinity Gray

I

was introduced to Crossover Sports through the Track and Field program in 2014 when I was 7 years old. My parents, Jason and Tomika Gray, volunteered to help coach the track team with other volunteer coaches, and they have continued to coach all these years.

The Crossover Sports program has given me opportunities to travel the U.S., to make new friends, and to meet Olympians! Through the support of the community and sponsors, our team has traveled to California, Florida, Missouri, Texas, Kansas, and North Carolina. I have

I love having the opportunity to train with other athletes around Tulsa.

-Trinity G. been able to meet former Olympians: Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Carl Lewis, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Vashti Cunningham.

Crossover connects our community by offering a variety of sports to families. Our volunteer coaches push athletes to be their best on and off the field. Our coaches reward our all A and A and B honor roll

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SPORTS Pictures above: Trinity with her brother, Jason, and during her first track season.

athletes with a certificate signed by all of the coaches. Every week the coaches reward the most hardworking and dedicated athlete.

The “athlete of the week” award drives us to want to be the best.

We work hard to be our best not just because of the reward, but we strive to prove to our coaches that we want to win even in practice.

At the end of the track season, athletes have the opportunity to compete at the USATF Oklahoma State Championship, Regional Junior Olympics, and National Junior Olympics. Being able to participate in the Junior Olympics is a huge accomplishment! I have been the Region 9 Champion in the pentathlon and have qualified for the National Junior Olympics 5 times.

I love having the opportunity to train with other athletes around Tulsa, but my favorite part of Summer track is that I get to compete with my little brother Jason Gray. He is an awesome distance runner and very competitive. He has competed at nationals 3 years.

Being a Crossover Lion has taught me to never give up. Our

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Crossover Community Impact

coaches and team managers are always there to support our team win or lose. At the end of practice, we have our “Lions’ Circle.” Our coaches and managers tell us how we did in practice and what we need to work on. A coach picks an athlete to pray before we leave. I enjoy the Lions’ Circle because it gives me a moment to reflect on my performance.

I would like to thank all of the coaches, managers and sponsors that have supported the Crossover Lions’ Track Team. Your commitment to our growth means a lot and makes a big difference!

Trinity Gray is a decorated track and soccer student-athlete. She is a hard-worker who pursues excellence not only on the field, but also in the classroom. As a soon-to-be Freshman, she has been in advanced placement classes since she was in the 5th grade, and she will be an exceptional Chemical Engineer who truly works at everything as working unto the Lord. Her family is the core of the Track and Field program for the Crossover Lions, and she is a huge part of why Crossover has expanded to include Soccer!

To learn more about Crossover Sports Association, please go to www.crossoverlions.org.

Pictures above: (L) Chutney with Women from Crossover Bible Church (Top R) Chutney with Ms. Louise; (Bottom R) Chutney with family

Restoring our community by making disciples while loving and serving our neighbors.

Crossover Bible Church

by Chutney Hutton

I

was a hairstylist in Brooklyn, New York and recently marriedwhen I got the call that my mother back home in Tulsa, Oklahoma had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Every moment was precious because her memory was quickly fading. While it was hard to leave the city, our careers and the community that we loved; my husband, Levi, and I were blessed with a sense of peace with moving to Tulsa. So, in September of 2015, we bought a truck and drove off to the Midwest!

We visited several churches but nothing felt right. As an interracial couple, we quickly realized how important it was to us to have racial and socioeconomic diversity in our congregation. We wanted our future children to experience diversity in the body of Christ. One day while shampooing a client, I mentioned what I was looking for in a church family. She lit up and said, “You should check out Crossover!

I would attend Crossover if I wasn’t already a part of a church. I hear they are active in serving north Tulsa.” This immediately piqued my interest because I grew up in north Tulsa and investing in our community was a big deal in my family. The following Sunday we visited Crossover. I cannot tell you how many people greeted us with smiles and hugs that Sunday morning we visited; I just know it was a lot.

To see black and white people worship together in north Tulsa and learn about the different ways Crossover was serving the community excited us! After two visits we decided we wanted to be a part of what God was doing at this church.

Picture above: Chutney with CBC friends Robin, Ellie and Rondalyn

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Pictures above: (Top L) Chutney with good friends; (Top R) Chutney with husband, Eli, and their two kids, Isley and Felix; (Bottom L) Chutney being recognized for her hard work with Crossover Bible Church.

I have been humbled and inspired by the church’s dedication to missional living and racial reconcilation.

-Chutney H. We jumped into the Crossover culture quickly. My husband Levi began working for Crossover Development Company, and I worked at the front desk at Crossover Health Services and began doing administrative work for the church. Over time, I also had the privilege to coordinate the Sunday morning children’s ministry for 2 years. Crossover’s IMPACT in my family’s life has been substantial, to say the least. From losing my mother to becoming a mother of two- my Crossover family has shown me a divine love and support for which I am forever grateful. I have been humbled and inspired by the church’s dedication to missional living and racial reconciliation. Crossover’s mission statement is “Restoring our community by making disciples while loving and serving our neighbors”.

While this statement is simple in concept, it can be challenging in execution. My time at Crossover has taught me to embrace the challenges that can arise when trying to love and serve because it is in those moments that God does His greatest works. As I look back on my 4.5 years at Crossover, I am amazed and grateful for God’s goodness and am excited to see what He will do next!

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Crossover Community Impact

Picture above: Chutney celebrating monthly birthdays with the ladies of CBC.

Chutney Hutton is a hairstylist, and she is the Administrative Assistant for Crossover Bible Church. She has been married to Levi Hutton for 5 exciting years and they have two adorable kids: Isley Ruth (3 years old) and Felix Hartley (10 months old). Chutney brings joy and excitement to everything she approaches, and she also brings peace because of the wisdom beyond her years that she possesses. She loves people well, and it IMPACTS anyone with whom she comes in contact.

To learn more about CBC’s “gather, go, grow, gospel works” model, please go to www.crossoverbible.org.

Revitalizing our community through economic and housing development.

by Julian Tyson

M

y name is Julian Tyson, and I am a crew member for Crossover Development Company. My family and I felt called to move back to Tulsa in 2018, just 2 months before I was leaving on a 6 month deployment with the Air Force. My family moved during that deployment, and when I got back to Tulsa I was kind of lost. I had been praying for God to show me where he wanted me to go. Around that time, I had been getting to know my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now husband, Xaiver. He introduced me to his

Pictures above: Julian with his wife, Bethanie and two daughters, Aryanna and Sophia best friend, Charles, who worked for Crossover. When I heard the ideology of Crossover and the vision for north Tulsa, I was immediately on board. Our visions aligned, Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose for me being in Tulsa was clearly revealed!

In Crossover Development Company, we find houses that have either been condemned or are being auctioned in the Hawthorne neighborhood. We then rehabilitate them and create opportu-

nities for home ownership for people in the community. Crossover is bringing life to a community, that without our efforts, would be on life support. Crossover truly embodies what it means to be the body of Christ. In my position, I get to minister to people in the community on a daily basis.

Every hammer we swing, every screw we turn, and every house we finish shows the love of Jesus, and proclaims the gospel to the community.

Julian Tyson has been in the Air Force for 10 years, and he has worked for Crossover Development as a crew member since January of 2019.

He has been married to his lovely bride, Bethanie for 9 years. They have two sweet girls, Aryanna who is 7 years old and Sophia who is 4. They will welcome their first son in September! Julianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart to serve north Tulsa through the renovation of homes is an encouragement and blessing, and we are grateful that God called Him back to be a part of this redemptive work.

To learn more about Crossover Development Company and its revitalizing work, please go to www.crossoverimpact.org/housing-development/.

Every hammer we swing, every screw we turn, and every house wEfifInish shows the love of jesus, and proclaims the gospel to the community.

-<Julian T.

Pictures above: Julian and his CDC co-workers revitalizing homes.

Not only have I been able to sharpen my skills in construction and remodeling, but working for Crossover has also sharpened me spiritually and mentally. Working with Leron West Sr. and Will Carr has pushed me to be in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s word more, to be more transparent and vocal about my faith, and to realize that just as God has made us His masterpiece and perfects His work in us, He also wants to complete his purpose through us. For Him to do that we have to submit to Him, and do everything to the best of our

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ability.

Each house we work on has a unique story and is far from perfect, but the outcome is the same. The first day we walked into one of the newer homes, it had stuff everywhere and it smelled bad. We had every reason to say it was horrible, from finding a room full of animal feces to beds piled on top of each other in another. As I looked around at the faces of everyone on our crew, I could see legitimate hap-

Crossover Community Impact

piness. The happiness came from the great product we knew the house would eventually be! We all understood what God could do to the house through us. It took this experience to understand that with every house we renovate we are acting out the gospel. Each house is like each and every one of us. When sin comes into our lives we are dirty and full of filth, but Jesus came and died for us so that we could be cleaned out and made new through Him.

I “retired” from a 30 year practice at warren clinic to start crossover health services with a mission to live out Christ’s compassion by providing quality medical care in an area of health inequity.

-Dr. Kent F. We are committed to living out Christ’s compassion, dignity and healing in our community through Healthcare.

Crossover Health Services

by Dr. Kent Farish

W

hen we started Crossover Health Services in 2014, a healthcare consultant looked at our financial plan. He said, “These financials should never work, but knowing your passion and commitment, I think you should go ahead.” Since then, it has been our passion, our purpose, and our place in the community that has brought us through. I “retired” from a 30 year practice at Warren Clinic to start Crossover Health Services with a mission to live out Christ’s compassion by providing quality medical care in an area of health inequity. I had been on the board of Crossover Community Impact for years, and I joined the board with the intention of helping to make a tangible change in north Tulsa.

Being the Founding Physician of Crossover Health Services (CHS), was the change I felt like God was leading me to be a part of.

Now CHS has a staff of three doctors, a behavioral therapist, a registered diabetes educator, a registered nurse, along with our medical and administrative support staff. Our staff trains students in local programs to become medical assistants and nurse practitioners. Through our electronic health record, we are networked with health providers throughout the region. We have been a part of the Healthy Hearts initiative and appropriate opioid use scientific studies. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority

awarded the status of Tier 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home to our medical practice for providing the highest levels of patient care. Our reputation in the community gained for us the 2018 Oklahoma Caring Award for Healthcare through the Hospitality House!

Because we are a part of Crossover Community Impact, Crossover Health Services has been the physical hub of all kinds of Crossover Community Impact teams. Sometimes I might look into our clinic’s conference room and see it filled with men from the community stud-

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Picture above: Dr. Farish engaging with a community member at a CHS Family Fun Day. ying diagrams of football plays from the Crossover Lions playbook. Or I might see high schoolers in the StreetLeaders program getting trained to be mentors, tutors, and counselors in the after-school or summer program at Hawthorne Elementary

Picture above: Louise Ingram, DSN, Dr. Farish, and Angelia Barnett accepting the 2018 Hospitality House Caring Award.

School. Or there might be faculty from Crossover Prep planning the academic curriculum. Or I might look in and see the men of Crossover Development Company putting together plans to build up the infrastructure of a home in our neighborhood. If I come in the evening after hours, Kelly Holliday, our Spiritual Care Director, might be there leading a trauma-informed grief group.

Being part of the team at Crossover Health Services has been an amazing experience for me. I love working here more than anywhere else! Our staff is related to our community. Literally, it’s a family affair: people who grew up together, attended school together, and physically “neighbor” with each other.

Walking to work at our office, staff may actually visit patients in their homes to check on them. We pray for our patients. We pray with our patients, and natural connections become spiritual connections. We gather for daily devotionals, giving thanks for God’s good gifts, and for the ways the great good news of the Gospel transforms us, transforms our relationships, and transforms our community.

Dr. Kent Farish came from Warren Clinic in 2014 to start CHS. He and his wife Leah Waldorf Farish, attorney, are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Their children Brian and Colleen have blessed them with three grandchildren, Eleanor Margaret Farish, Ayla Jane Reidelbach, and Jack Farish Reidelbach. If you ask, he has pictures!

To learn more about Crossover Health Services and its work to eradicate health disparities, go to www.crossoverhealthservices.org.

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COMMUNITY CENTER

by Sam Rader

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bout six years ago Bob Nichols asked if I would come to a Crossover Community Meeting. Bob is a person difficult to say no to (actually, Bob is a person you just want to say yes to); so, I agreed. At that first encounter with Crossover, I knew this ministry was the one God was calling me to. After many years associated with Young Life, God opened the Crossover door so wide, it was obvious I needed to be there.

Crossover Preparatory Academy - A vital key to restore north Tulsa is increasing educational outcomes for junior high and high school students. Three years ago, Crossover Prep began with 30 seventh grade boys and now has 100 sixth through ninth grade boys. In a few years we’ll be serving around 315 kids with an outstanding staff of 50. If you ever need to be uplifted, - it’s guaranteed when you come for a tour!

Crossover’s visions of restoring north Tulsa in all realms — spiritual, education, health/wellness, social and economical is I believe, the absolute best approach to reach this vision.

Its strongest appeal is that the people who work in a Crossover ministry must, if possible, live or move to north Tulsa. The staff, support and donors are, to me, an outstanding example of fulfilling I John 3:17. And that commitment shows on the faces of everyone I know there — one just falls in love with each and every one of them.

Our future plans are 6-12 grades for both boys and girls serving a school of over 630 students!

My initial interest in Crossover was in the restoration of homes and neighborhoods generally around our future community center west of Peoria and 36th St. North. Because of my real estate background and homebuilding in north Tulsa, the purchasing, refurbishing, selling and upgrading of homes were “right up my alley”. However, it didn’t take long to realize and embrace the larger scope of Crossover’s Ministries, such as: Crossover Kids and the StreetLeader Program — Crossover actually hires high school teens to mentor elementary-aged kids, which offers some part time income plus provides younger students a helper and role mode. One of the most impactive and innovative ministries I’ve ever seen!

Crossover Community Center — This will be the hub of all our ministries; housing Crossover Prep, Crossover Bible, community gatherings, sports activities and the administration for our community development activities. As of April 2020, we have $13 million in funds fully and/or tentatively committed for this $15 million project. One of my jobs at Crossover, as the Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign, is to ask for your support.

We really need to finalize the entire funding and if you know of anyone who may be interested in supporting Crossover’s vision please call me.

As an ending to this article, I leave two thoughts: 1 . Years ago, at a Young Life committee meeting we were trying to decide on the distribution of support for the different Young Life area ministries. During the presentations Derrick Hill, the Young Life Director for a north side school said, “Let me ask, if Jesus were to come visit Tulsa, do you think he would come to south Tulsa or north Tulsa?” Needless to say, he got the funds he asked for. That question has never left me.

Derrick is now on staff raising funds for Crossover Prep.

Crossover Health Services — This self-sustaining facility serves 150 patients per week and houses the friendliest and most loving people in all of Tulsa.

2. As I said in my first sentence acknowledging Bob Nichols, I will say in my last — Thank you Bob! In Him, Sam Rader

Sam Rader and his wife, Barbara, moved to Tulsa in 1978 with their three daughters (Shelley, Stacey and Sarah) who have blessed them with 14 grandchildren. They started a real estate brokerage now known as Coldwell Banker Select. They have been members of Tulsa Bible Church since 1979 and both were active in Young Life many years — Sam as a committee member and Barbara in Mentor Moms. The Raders have been a huge blessing to Crossover and you can see the fruit of their labor of love for north Tulsa daily.

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To learn more about the Crossover Community Center and all of the amenities it willCrossover add to the community, Community Impactplease go to www.crossoverimpact.org.

Crossover Community Center

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Crossover Community Impact

COVID-19’s IMPACT

by Rondalyn Abode

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his year got off to a whirlwind start! We had the best “End-Of-Year Campaign” to date, and we were excited to see the completion of the Crossover Community Center Capital Campaign! As we pursued $15 Million to begin building the Crossover Community Center, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the north Tulsa community hard changing our focus to raising funds to support our community development efforts through developing key partnerships to meet felt needs. The relationships built through the Crossover Sports Association, the Crossover Kids Program, the StreetLeader Program, Crossover Health Services, Crossover Development Company, and Crossover Prep have allowed us to expand our services to respond to the needs our community members are experiencing. We are grateful that most of these programs have continued to serve our community even in the midst of this pandemic.

Crossover Community Impact received two grants that allowed us to partner with the Tulsa Dream Center and other organizations who were providing free food to those in need. A big gap in services is for the sick and shut in, and those who are unable to drive to the sites to pick up the needed food and household items. Crossover was able to meet this need in a way that was inventive and effective. Crossover delivered food, household items, and supplies to people, and we were able to provide income and gas cards to those making the deliveries! Since the students at Crossover Prep do the majority of their work on computers, providing each student with a Chrome Book for remote learning was an easy way to remedy the need for social distancing. The staff made their way to the school and had the students pick up their Chromebooks and other materials to continue learning remotely. We even have a student who felt such pride in being a Crossover Prep student that he wore his uniform for the online class sessions! Crossover Bible Church began its first online services in response to this virus, and in order to continue to build community, the Missional Teams (or small groups) and Huddles or Sermon- Discussion Groups (micro-single-sex groups) continue to meet through Google Hangout and other platforms. Crossover Health Services and Crossover Development Company continue to serve the community through providing exceptional healthcare and home revitalizations for home ownership opportunities. Though the Crossover Sports Association, Crossover Kids, and StreetLeader Programs are unable to meet, they have remained connected to ensure that as needs arise we are able to help in the best ways possible! And the StreetLeaders continue to prepare for their future through ACT preparation even.

We are able to make an IMPACT in youth sports, education, healthcare, housing, and economic development because of your help! We would be thrilled if you joined us in the continuous process of prayer to restore our community. The efforts to see north Tulsa become a place full of healthy individuals, faithful families, peaceful neighborhoods, and thriving institutions requires more intentional efforts in times like these. We hope you are encouraged by the ways that people are caring for others now, and I hope it continues far beyond this present crisis. Please stay healthy and safe. I hope that Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 encourage you as they encourage us during this season. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We pray that you are experiencing the peace that only He can provide.

Grateful for you,

Rondalyn Abode Director of Development www.crossoverimpact.org

Partnering with the Tulsa Dream Center and many other organizations during COVID-19 to provide free food.

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Crossover Community Impact

Our Vision for 36th S. North

Our Dream for the Future...

When you invest in the vision, you do more than touch individual lives... every contribution ripples outward to create “social return” —the positive impact on north Tulsa and the entire Tulsa community.

For more information: (918) 856-5377 x106 www.crossoverimpact.org