la Croix UMC

What la Croix UMC does

La Croix Church is a privately held, non-denominational Christian nonprofit headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, founded in 1988 by Senior Pastor Ron Watts and his wife Linda Watts. The church operates a multi-site model across three physical campuses — Cape Girardeau (headquarters at 3102 Lexington Ave), Benton, and Sikeston — plus a fourth virtual campus delivered through Church Online at lacroix.online.church. It serves the Southeast Missouri region with an average weekly attendance of over 2,000 people (as of the church's 2013 25th anniversary), and offers a lifecycle-spanning ministry portfolio including La Croix Kids (birth-grade 4) with its state-of-the-art Reign Forest children's facility, Student Ministry (grades 5-12), the Ignite college ministry at Southeast Missouri State University, Men's Ministry, the Iglesia Hispana (Comunidad, Espíritu y Fuego / CEF) Hispanic ministry, and a structured adult discipleship pathway comprising Alpha, Rooted small groups, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and Discipleship Bands.

The church's core products are weekend worship services, age-specific discipleship programming, pastoral care services (Stephen Ministry, GriefShare, DivorceCare, Healing Prayer), and a global and local missions portfolio. The global footprint includes 26 mission partners across Eswatini (sole sponsor of the Timbutini 2 CarePoint via Adventures in Mission), Guatemala (New Life Children's Home), Haiti, Paraguay, Thailand, and the Philippines, supplemented by 15+ local Southeast Missouri partnerships (CarePortal, Foster Adopt Connect, FISH Food Pantry, Safe House, etc.). Technology infrastructure is composed of standard third-party SaaS: tpsdb.com for online giving, the Church Online streaming platform, Mailchimp for email newsletters, and content distribution across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean. No proprietary technology, no in-house AI/ML capabilities, and no patents are disclosed.

La Croix's revenue model is that of a typical tithing-supported church. Primary income is recurring donations from congregants via in-person giving, mail, and online tithes and offerings (one-time and automated recurring). Secondary, immaterial income comes from nominal program fees: Teen Camp ($350 early / $550 late registration), Eagle Lake Day Camp ($225 with scholarship availability), Pure Minds workbook ($10), and estimated $4,500 mission trip fees for the Eswatini 2027 trip. The church is privately held with no parent company, no funding rounds, no institutional investors, and no publicly disclosed revenue; governance sits with a Church Council, Executive Team, and Lead Team, with pastoral accountability through the Sanctification Network.

Name

la Croix UMC

Legal name

La Croix Church

Website

https://lacroixchurch.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

La Croix Church is a non-denominational Christian nonprofit operating a four-campus ministry (Cape Girardeau, Benton, Sikeston, plus Church Online) serving over 2,000 weekly attendees in Southeast Missouri with worship, age-specific discipleship, pastoral care, and 26+ global mission partnerships, funded primarily by congregational tithing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Worship services
• Christian ministry programs
• Religious education
• Community outreach
• Biblical discipleship

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Girardeau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Congregants give financially through in-person donations during weekend services, mail-in offerings, or online giving portal. Automated recurring giving available.
2. Event and Program Fees: Some programs charge nominal fees including Pure Minds ($10 workbook), Teen Camp ($350-$550), Eagle Lake Day Camp ($225 with code), and residency program

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

La Croix Church is a multi-site Christian church that delivers weekly worship services, age-tailored discipleship programs (La Croix Kids, Student Ministry, Ignite College, Men's Ministry), pastoral care and counseling services, small group formation (Rooted, Discipleship Bands), outreach courses (Alpha, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship), and global mission partnerships across three physical campuses and an online campus. The church is funded primarily through tithes, offerings, and recurring donations from congregants.

Product overview

La Croix Church operates as a multi-site church with a unified ministry portfolio organized around four campuses (Cape Girardeau, Benton, Sikeston, and Online) serving Southeast Missouri. The core offering is weekend worship services complemented by age-specific discipleship programs (La Croix Kids, Student Ministry, Ignite College Ministry, Men's Ministry), community formation through Rooted small groups and Discipleship Bands, and outreach through Alpha, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and Care & Prayer ministries. Global impact is delivered through Missions (Eswatini child sponsorship, Guatemala trips, global partnerships), while local outreach includes food insecurity, foster care, and practical help. Supporting programs include Wedding/Funeral services, the Ron & Linda Watts Ministry Scholarship, Residency Program, Membership & Baptism, and Online Giving. Church Online extends reach virtually, while Iglesia Hispana serves the Spanish-speaking community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ignite: College ministry of La Croix Church serving students at Southeast Missouri State University.
• Iglesia Hispana (CEF)
• Pure Minds
• Reign Forest
• Ron & Linda Watts Ministry Scholarship

Products and services

• Weekend Worship Services Weekly in-person worship gatherings across three physical campuses (Cape Girardeau, Benton, Sikeston) and online, featuring contemporary music, biblical teaching, and community connection. Offered free to all attendees.
• La Croix Kids Ministry Age-appropriate children's programming (birth through grade 4) during weekend services, featuring the Reign Forest environment with safety check-in systems, sensory resources, and curriculum aligned with Sunday lessons.
• Student Ministry Middle school and high school programming (grades 5-12) featuring Wednesday night gatherings, confirmation classes, and events including Teen Camp at Eagle Sky.
• Ignite College Ministry College-age ministry (Ignite) serving Southeast Missouri State University students, offering community, worship, and spiritual growth opportunities.
• Men's Ministry Weekly men's gatherings with Bible study, fellowship, and the Pure Minds support group for men seeking freedom from sexual sin.
• Rooted Small Groups 10-week introductory small group experience designed to connect participants to God, church community, and purpose through exploring the Bible, prayer, and essential spiritual rhythms.
• Discipleship Bands Small groups of 3-5 men or women meeting regularly for deep spiritual friendship, honest conversation, and mutual encouragement in mission and personal spiritual growth.
• Alpha Course Series of relaxed evenings with dinner and conversation exploring big questions about life, Jesus, and faith for those exploring, rethinking, or curious about Christianity.
• Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Two-part course (Emotionally Healthy Relationships and Emotionally Healthy Spirituality) guiding participants toward spiritual and emotional maturity through unpacking history, developing healthier relationships, and slowing down to be with Jesus.
• Care & Prayer Ministry Comprehensive pastoral care including Healing Prayer Ministry, Stephen Ministry (one-on-one care), GriefShare, DivorceCare, Visiting Ministry, Friday Noon Prayer, and pastoral support.
• Healing Prayer Ministry Ministry partnering with the Holy Spirit to bring healing, freedom, and restoration through prayer for physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs.
• Missions Ministry Local and global mission partnerships including child sponsorship (Eswatini), international mission trips, clean water initiatives, orphan care, and community outreach through local mission partners.
• Teen Camp @ Eagle Sky Overnight summer camp for students grades 6-12 at Eagle Sky Piedmont, MO, featuring adventure activities, personal growth, and faith development.
• Eagle Lake Day Camp Summer day camp for students graduated K-grade 6 at Cape Campus, featuring action-packed activities like Gaga Ball, tie-dye crafting, outdoor experiences, and mentorship.
• Kingdom Quest VBS Vacation Bible School at Benton Campus for children ages 2-12, featuring biblical teaching, interactive fun, and captivating storytelling to deepen faith.
• Eswatini Mission Trip Annual mission trip to Eswatini (June 10-23, 2027) partnering with Timbutini 2 CarePoint, including construction, preschool painting, child sponsorship visits, and community ministry.
• Guatemala Partner Trip Annual mission trip to New Life Children's Home in Guatemala (Nov 7-14, 2026) providing week-long Xtreme Camp experience for orphaned children.
• Pure Minds Ministry 11-week confidential support group for men seeking freedom from sexual sin, including biblical teaching, honest conversation, and peer support.
• Wedding & Funeral Services Pastoral support for life's significant moments including wedding coordination, pre-marital counseling, and funeral/memorial service planning.
• Ron & Linda Watts Ministry Scholarship Scholarship program for seminary students pursuing Master of Divinity or ordained ministry careers, honoring Ron and Linda Watts' legacy of church planting.
• Residency Program Ministry leadership development program (Aug 2026 - May 2027) offering hands-on experience across tracks including Spiritual Formation, Family Ministry, Missions, Worship Arts, and Creative Arts.
• Iglesia Hispana (CEF) Spanish-language ministry (Comunidad, Espíritu y Fuego) reaching the Hispanic community of Southeast Missouri with Sunday worship at 11:45am.
• Church Online Virtual church experience at lacroix.online.church with Saturday evening re-broadcast and Sunday live services for remote attendance.
• Online Giving Digital tithing and donation platform enabling one-time and recurring gifts, with options for in-person, mail, and online giving across all campuses.
• Project 300 Church invitation initiative recruiting 300 individuals to commit to weekly invitations to someone to experience church community, events, or faith conversations.
• Membership & Baptism Process for public declaration of faith through baptism and formal commitment to church community through membership, including Rooted class and video curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average weekly attendance of over 2000 people
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Timbutini 2 CarePoint (Eswatini)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs sole sponsor, La Croix ensures every child receives daily meals, education, and discipleship. Church conducts annual mission trips and supports construction projects. Partners with Adventures in Mission (AIM).
• New Life Children's Home (Guatemala)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafe refuge for orphaned, abandoned, and abused children. La Croix conducts annual mission trip hosting Xtreme Camp for children ages 10-14. Directors Kendon & Wendy Wheeler have served over 25 years.
• The Bridge HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides literacy education and Bible Study to young women in Gressier, Haiti. Contact: Hannah at [email protected]
• Madison Marshall - Paraguay (via TMS Global)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Croix Ignite graduate serving in Lambare, Paraguay teaching English and leading Bible studies.
• The Roarks - ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChris and LaChanda Roark run English center of local Thai church. Share Christ's love through teaching English in predominantly Buddhist country where only 0.7% are Christian.
• Seeds of Dignity - PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with faith-based partners to help under-resourced Filipinos. Involved in educational scholarships, feeding programs, livelihood projects, water/sanitation, medical surgeries, church planting.
• Little Pasos - GuatemalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-K-2nd grade school led by Tara Goodloe-Fuentes. Mission of providing young minds tools for successful future through Gospel of Jesus Christ and English education.
• Wycliffe - Jim VintonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible translation work for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Helping make Bible accessible to those waiting for Scripture in their language.
• Adventures in Mission (AIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry organization that operates Timbutini 2 CarePoint in Eswatini, Africa. La Croix is sole sponsor of this CarePoint.
• Sanctification NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of church leaders that Senior Pastor Ron Watts helped found. Weekly Zoom meetings and twice-yearly 3-day retreats for church leadership accountability.
• Local Mission PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with 15+ local organizations including: Amen Center, Big Brother Big Sisters, CarePortal, Central Academy, Disaster Relief Team, FaithWorks, FCA, FISH Food Pantry, Feed My Starving Children, Foster Adopt Connect, Mississippi County Jail Ministry, Options for Women, Prison Ministry, Quilting Ministry, Room for One More Child, Safe House, South Side Farms, Young Life

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Life.Church: One of the largest multi-site and online-first churches in the U.S., operating physical campuses plus a globally used Church Online platform. Highly comparable to La Croix's blended physical + online multi-site strategy, free online giving model, and app-driven discipleship content.
• Elevation Church: Multi-site contemporary church with comparable attendance scale, strong youth/NextGen programming, and a content-led digital footprint. Directly comparable on multi-site replication, modern worship format, and family/student ministry emphasis.
• North Point Community Church: Pioneering multi-site church known for intentional discipleship strategy (Rooted-equivalent pathways) and strong staff development culture. Comparable to La Croix's multi-site model and structured small-group pathway approach.
• Summit Church: Mid-sized multi-site church with similar family-ministry emphasis, contemporary worship, and missions engagement. Directly comparable on multi-site footprint, programming breadth across life stages, and regional anchor model.
• Watermark Church: Community-focused multi-site church with strong care/recovery ministries (parallel to La Croix's Stephen Ministry, GriefShare, DivorceCare). Comparable on breadth of pastoral care programming and member-discipleship intensity.
• Gateway Church: Large multi-site church with international missions focus, online presence, and family ministry depth. Comparable to La Croix's multi-site, missions-driven, and family-programming emphasis.
• Christ Fellowship Church: Multi-site contemporary church with similar NextGen and family ministry investments. Comparable on campus expansion strategy and contemporary worship format.
• CrossPoint Church: Multi-site church with active NextGen, missions, and online ministry programs. Comparable operational footprint and growth strategy to La Croix.

Regional players

• James River Church: Large multi-site church based in Ozark, Missouri — same state and regional demographic as La Croix. Strongly comparable multi-site, family-ministry, and contemporary worship model within a shared Missouri/Southern Baptist-adjacent ecosystem.
• Central Bible Church: Multi-site Pentecostal/charismatic church in Springfield, MO — same state and theological orbit as La Croix, with missions, family ministry, and online presence. Relevant peer for regional benchmarking within Missouri.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/LaCroixChurchYT
• Facebookfacebook.com/lacroixchurch
• Instagraminstagram.com/lacroixchurch
• Xx.com/lacroixchurch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-croix-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about la Croix UMC