Cross Of Life Lutheran Church

What Cross Of Life Lutheran Church does

Cross of Life Lutheran Church is a midsize congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), headquartered at 1000 Hembree Road in Roswell, Georgia, and serving Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta, and surrounding communities. The organization delivers a dual worship program — a 9:00am contemporary service led by a contemporary band and an 11:15am traditional service featuring a pipe organ, Chancel Choir, and Handbells — with the traditional service simultaneously live-streamed to Facebook and the church website and archived on YouTube. Core ministry is organized around three stated pillars (Inspiring Worship, Authentic Community, Meaningful Service) and includes Sunday school for all ages, joint Compass Youth confirmation programming with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for 6th-12th graders, children's and music ministries, Stephen Ministry care, ESL classes, Lutheran Braille Workers, quilting for Lutheran World Relief, and Habitat for Humanity builds; an integrated Cross of Life Montessori School provides Christian Montessori education as a wholly owned subsidiary activity. Operations run on standard third-party tools: Vanco for online giving, Servant Keeper for member records, Facebook Live and YouTube for streaming, and an Office 365 calendar for event coordination. Revenue is derived primarily from voluntary member tithes and offerings, with the church committing 10% of donations to the Southeastern Synod operating fund; the Montessori School operates independently on tuition, and a five-member elected endowment board distributes grants to local, national, and international charities. The organization is in pastoral transition following the April 2026 retirement of Senior Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier after 33 years of ministry, with The Reverend Annie Ladnier installed as interim pastor on July 12, 2026.

Name

Cross Of Life Lutheran Church

Legal name

Cross of Life Lutheran Church

Website

https://crossoflifelutheran.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cross of Life Lutheran Church is a midsize ELCA congregation in Roswell, Georgia, delivering contemporary and traditional worship, Christian education, youth and children's programs, global missions, and an integrated Montessori School, funded by voluntary member tithes and digital giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Christian education programs
• Youth and children ministry
• Community service outreach
• Montessori education

Headquarters

HQ city

Roswell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Tithes and Offerings: Primary revenue through voluntary financial contributions from congregation members. Offerings can be made through website (Vanco), electronic bank transfer, mailed checks, Venmo, or Zelle.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cross of Life Lutheran Church is a midsize congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that delivers weekly contemporary and traditional worship services, Christian education for all ages, youth and children's ministry, music programs, pastoral care (Stephen Ministry), and community service ministries. It also operates Cross of Life Montessori School as an integral part of its ministry and supports local, national, and international mission partnerships through donations and volunteer service.

Product overview

Cross of Life Lutheran Church operates as a midsize congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) serving the Roswell, Milton, and Alpharetta area. The church offers a comprehensive portfolio of ministry programs organized around three pillars: Inspiring Worship (contemporary and traditional worship services, music ministry), Authentic Community (children's, youth, and adult ministries, Stephen Ministry, fellowship groups), and Meaningful Service (local outreach, global mission partnerships, ESL classes, quilting). The church also operates Cross of Life Montessori School as an integral ministry. Digital offerings include online sermon archives, live streaming, online giving, and a member portal. The congregation is currently transitioning pastoral leadership following Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier's retirement after 33 years, with Reverend Annie Ladnier serving as interim pastor and being installed in July 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cross of Life Montessori School: An integral part of the ministry of Cross of Life Lutheran Church providing Christian Montessori education in partnership with parents so that children may be nurtured in the word and will of God.

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly worship services including 9am Contemporary Worship led by the contemporary band and 11:15am Traditional Worship featuring pipe organ, Chancel Choir, and Handbells, with the 11:15am service live-streamed online.
• Sunday School and Christian Education Christian education programs for all ages held during the Connections Education Hour at 10:10am on Sundays, including Discovery class, Deeper Dive class, and children's Sunday school.
• Compass Youth Ministry Joint confirmation and youth programming with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for 6th-12th graders, including Middle School Confirmation, Wayfinder High School Group, service projects, fellowship events, lock-ins, mission trips, and retreats.
• Cross of Life Montessori School Christian Montessori education program operated in partnership with parents to nurture children in the word and will of God, located at colmontessori.com.
• Music Ministry Musical programs including Chancel Choir (traditional ensemble), Contemporary Band (9am service), Handbell Choir, and Instrumental Ensembles with various wind, brass, and string instruments.
• Stephen Ministry Care ministry with trained congregation members who provide confidential, non-judgmental pastoral care to those facing life challenges.
• Online Worship Streaming Live streaming of the 11:15am traditional worship service to Facebook and the church website, with past sermons available on demand via YouTube.
• Online Giving Financial offering capabilities through the church website (Vanco), electronic bank transfer, mail, Venmo (@CrossofLife), and Zelle ([email protected]).
• Service Groups Community service programs including ESL Classes, Gleaners (food collection), Lutheran Braille Workers, Quilting for Lutheran World Relief, and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and local charities.
• Endowment and Memorial Funds Grant-making fund administered by a board of five elected members, providing annual grants to local, national, and international charities and Cross of Life projects.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life is a congregation of the ELCA. Through ELCA membership, the church participates in support of new congregations, social ministry organizations, leadership training, global mission partners, and Lutheran colleges/seminaries. Cross of Life gives 10% of donations to the Southeastern Synod operating fund, which gives 50% to ELCA.
• Southeastern Synod (ELCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life is part of the Southeastern Synod which covers a 4-state region. The synod supports congregations, trains leaders, coordinates social ministry, and provides pastoral care. Bishop Kevin Strickland leads the synod.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Confirmation and youth programming called Compass Youth. The two churches alternate weekly meetings and combine resources for youth ministry serving 6th-12th graders.
• Boy Scout Troop 1717minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life is the chartering organization for Boy Scout Troop 1717, formed in 1992. Open to anyone ages 11-17.
• North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit agency dedicated to preventing homelessness in North Fulton County by assisting with basic needs and adult education. Cross of Life provides financial and in-kind support, regular volunteers, annual food drives, and special collections.
• Atlanta Community Food BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life participates in the annual Atlanta Hunger Walk Run 5K to help raise awareness and end hunger in Greater Atlanta and North Georgia.
• Habitat for Humanity / Lutheran Coalition for HabitatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life seeks to build a home each year through the Lutheran Coalition for Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers provide skilled and less-skilled labor, lunch for builders, and build relationships with receiving families.
• MUST MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides assistance and seasonal programs for Cobb and Cherokee County residents. Cross of Life organizes annual food drives to support their efforts.
• The Place of ForsythminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit assisting resident families in Forsyth County with emergency basic needs. Also operates an on-site thrift store providing affordable merchandise to the public.
• Inspiritus (formerly Lutheran Services of Georgia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service agency combining resources of staff, donors, government agencies, volunteers, and Lutheran congregations. Cross of Life is particularly involved with Refugee Services, Disaster Response, and Atlanta Hunger Walk. In 2019, teams made two trips to Albany, GA to repair tornado-damaged homes.
• Lutheran Disaster ResponsemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrustworthy organization approaching disaster response on model of accompaniment, walking alongside victims until they are made whole. Cross of Life accepts donations for disaster relief efforts.
• Lutheran World ReliefmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life Quilters meet most Tuesdays to make quilts shipped overseas for warmth, shelter, or clothing. Donations of used sheets, fabrics, and batting are accepted.
• ELCA World HungermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram provides for the hungry through direct aid, education, development, and advocacy. Approximately 75% resources given globally, 25% domestically. Cross of Life supports with Loose Change Sunday (first Sunday monthly) and funds to dig wells in communities lacking clean water.
• Sus Hijos Foundation (El Salvador)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation founded in 2008 responding to needs of orphaned and abandoned children in El Salvador. In 2018, Cross of Life participated in a mission trip to build housing.
• Galing Foundation (Philippines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational mission partner receiving support from Cross of Life Endowment Fund grants.
• Padhar Mission School (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational mission partner receiving support from Cross of Life Endowment Fund grants.
• Baptist Women of MalawiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Cyclone Freddy Relief efforts in Africa.
• Lutheran Braille Workers - Love WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers gather at Love Works local production center to make Bibles for people who are blind, visually impaired, or imprisoned. Group meets twice each month.
• Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (SESLYO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross of Life youth participate in synod events and leadership including AFFIRM and National Youth Gathering.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• North Point Community Church: Large Atlanta-area non-denominational church. Operates in the same Roswell/Alpharetta geography and competes for the same family-and-individual market segment that Cross of Life targets, but at materially larger scale and with broader programmatic reach.
• Passion City Church: Major Atlanta-area church with multiple campuses serving the same metropolitan market as Cross of Life. Comparable in mission to reach unchurched and young adult populations, but operating at significantly larger scale and with a different worship and branding style.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): The national Lutheran denomination to which Cross of Life belongs. ELCA provides the structural framework, governance, seminary pipeline, and global mission network that shapes Cross of Life's theology, accountability, and partnerships.
• The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS): The other major North American Lutheran denomination. Operates parallel Lutheran congregations, schools, and mission infrastructure in the same regions as ELCA congregations including Cross of Life, with similar theology but distinct polity and identity.

Direct peers

• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church: Nearby ELCA congregation that already partners with Cross of Life on joint Compass Youth confirmation and youth ministry for 6th–12th graders. Same denomination, same metro area, similar midsize scale—making it the closest operational and theological peer.

Regional players

• Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: The four-state regional ELCA body that coordinates congregations in the Southeast, including Cross of Life. Operates as a regional ecclesiastical and administrative peer governing new congregations, social ministry, leadership training, and pastoral care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CrossOfLifeRoswell
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cross-of-life-lutheran-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cross Of Life Lutheran Church