Our story

CROSSPOINT exists to see fully devoted followers of Jesus in every home. It is with this vision that God has given us that we strive to help those who are far from God draw near to God. God has identified this very specific purpose for us and it has become the defining factor for everything we do. The story of CROSSPOINT is one of seeing God's power and grace moving among His people. But to understand the story, it’s important to first understand the foundation on which CROSSPOINT is built.

Nearly a century ago, in 1926, a group of students from LIFE Bible College began a series of tent revival meetings in Van Nuys, and a church was born. The First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys was birthed in revival, and that location continues to thrive today.

In 1969, Jack and Anna Hayford accepted a position as Senior Pastors of The First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys—soon thereafter becoming known as The Church On The Way. It began as a small congregation, but God’s glory was evident in that place and the church expanded with explosive revival. They became one of the first mega-churches in America with two campuses, a worldwide radio and television ministry, a college and seminary, and they saw multiplied thousands of people give their life to Christ. 

In 1999, Pastor Jack stepped down and Pastors Scott and Rebecca Bauer were installed as Senior Pastors, giving birth to a new vision that had two distinct new features.

First was to open a Spanish-speaking ministry - La Iglesia En El Camino. It was led by Pastor Jim Tolle, and became the largest Spanish-speaking church in the nation. 

The second part of this new vision was to open a north campus of The Church On The Way in Santa Clarita, that would serve as a gateway to the city of Los Angeles. The church purchased the Mann Theater Complex in the heart of Santa Clarita and began meeting in different facilities around the community while renovation took place on the old Mann Theater.

Pastor Bauer was suddenly called home to Glory in the fall of 2003 and subsequently Pastors Jim and Alice Tolle were installed as the Senior Pastors of The Church On The Way. 

The Church On The Way North Campus began meeting in their building on Palm Sunday in 2007 under the leadership of Pastors Doug and Christa Andersen. In June of 2008 it became a church plant to the city of Santa Clarita, and on August 10, 2008, Pastors Doug and Christa and their team were installed as the Senior Pastors of The Church On The Way Santa Clarita. 

In 2014 a Spanish-speaking ministry began in Santa Clarita that reaches those in the community whose language, or hearts, resonate in Spanish. The group unites languages and serves the Spanish speakers in their community just like their founding church had in Van Nuys. The belief is that the church is one body with two arms—one in Spanish, and one in English. One congregation—two languages. 

2018 marked the 10-year anniversary as a Foursquare Congregation. During that year many things were looked at to ensure that ministry aligned with what they believe God is calling them to do in their future. It was at that time that leadership felt the Lord encouraging them to emphasize small group ministry and even more significant, lead the church toward a name change. The Lord impressed it on the hearts of leadership that CROSSPOINT was to become the name that God desired for them to be known as and would lead them into their future. Crosspoint- “the intersection where lives are changed.” So, in early 2019 the congregation officially adopted their new name.

In June of 2022, and after 15 years of faithful service as the Senior Pastors of CROSSPOINT, Doug and Christa Andersen returned to The Church On The Way Van Nuys as the Co-Lead Pastors. On July 24th of 2022, Dr. Sean Sottile was installed as the Lead Pastor of CROSSPOINT after serving on staff as the Executive Pastor.

The Lord has been abundantly faithful to CROSSPOINT. There has been an extraordinary, ongoing work of grace poured out over the church. Lives have been changed, bodies healed, homes rescued, people delivered, truth perceived, love out-poured, leadership raised up, and ministry sent forth around the globe. The best days are still ahead for CROSSPOINT, as we continue to help others Know God, Grow Together, and Make a Difference.

THANK YOU for reading the story of CROSSPOINT. Should you have the opportunity to visit a service or small group, you will be welcomed in with acceptance and the love of Christ that has been at work since the church began. The best is still to come!