25 years of doing whatever it takes
to help people find and follow Jesus
You're invited to celebrate the Lord's faithfulness to
The Church at Clayton Crossings on Sunday, December 6, 2026.
25th Anniversary activities will occur during
both services - at 9:00am and 10:45am.
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As we count down the days, take a look back at how the Lord has moved in a few of the lives of those who call Clayton Crossings their home.​
Our Story
2001 - 2026
Shelley Smith - Joined 2001
I have been a member since the church was founded, and over the past 25 years I have seen 1 Corinthians 2:9—“But as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—God has prepared these things for those who love him.’”—come to life as the Lord has carried out his plan for Clayton Crossings.
In 2001, the founding families began praying for people yet to come, and today when I serve on Tech Production, I look out over the auditorium and see the hundreds of people we prayed for and continue to pray for! No one can outdo God! Not only have I seen God’s promises fulfilled in 1 Corinthians 2:9, but also in Jeremiah 29:11-12—“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”—as Clayton Crossings continues to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Claire Metz - Joined 2001
I was a part of one of the original founding families of the Church at Clayton Crossings and one of the very first “Crossings Kids”. I have called Clayton Crossings my church home since 2001, and I have been blessed to be a part of the many things God has done through this church.
I have seen us grow from a church in a living room to a building busting at the seams. (I remember in the beginning we held baptisms in the neighborhood pool because it was the only place we had and people were ready to publicly profess their faith!)
Children’s ministry has grown from 1 child to 350+ students weekly. I, myself, have grown with Crossings Kids, where I started as a child and have grown to be a helper, a teacher, a leader, and now a parent with my own little participants. I also grew within the church’s youth group, where I learned what it meant to be a true follower of Christ and how to live your life on mission for him. While in the youth program I met friends I will love for a lifetime and I met my husband who also grew up here. There are not enough words to fully capture my experiences with the Church at Clayton Crossings and the ways we have grown together.
Our church has seen seasons of change, of joy, of regrouping, and of blessings. God has done exceedingly and abundantly more through the life of this church and its people than I think anyone expected. I am grateful to have been a part of its journey and I owe much of who I am to the Church at Clayton Crossings. I am so excited to see where God takes us next.
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Emily Geiger - Joined 2008
My journey with Clayton Crossings began when some friends of mine invited me to attend the youth group. I had just changed churches in my senior year of high school so Clayton Crossings became my new church home. I became close friends with my (future) husband and his family who attended there and obviously we eventually became family. My husband and I even had our wedding reception in the gym at the church. David was a ballroom dance instructor and had invited most of his dance students so we needed a space that allowed for dancing.
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Over the years I have struggled a lot in my faith and with my mental health. There were times I didn’t want to be at church, but even in those times—or the times I’d show up crazy late—there were faces that always brightened and smiled when they saw me come in. They always welcomed me and were excited to see me. No one in the church ever judged me or made me feel ashamed for the things I was struggling with (Ehem, Dr. Wanda, Nalda Wallace, Jennifer Fiebelkorn, and former staff like Colleen Cotten). Their smiles, love, faith, and encouragement kept me in church when I otherwise would have walked away.
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My husband and I have seen a LOT of transformation in Clayton Crossings over the years—we’ve seen a lot of difficult changes but a lot of great changes, too. There were times we questioned whether we should go or stay, but we always chose to stay because of the biblical faith and leadership and the importance of accountability in our church. There was/is accountability for church leadership and members alike as well as accountability for church relationships. Through it all, we have stayed, and now we are here raising our children—the third generation of our family—in this church.
The best parts of Clayton Crossings have been its faith in God and in scripture, and the relationships with others. Our family is excited for the growth we have seen at the Church at Clayton Crossings, not just in numbers, but also in discipleship and faith.
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Misty Ranes - Joined 2013
My family and I came to Clayton Crossings after leaving my home church of 25 years. It was a difficult decision, but one that was full of answered prayers and blessings too numerous to count.
We began volunteering in Kids Ministry within our first year of attending and since then have each served in many, many areas. Raising our children to participate in ministry and helping others was invaluable. We have been involved with Clayton Crossings’ serving ministry as far back as the trucks of food that used to arrive to be distributed here on the premises, to Angel Tree events and even more recent years’ events and deliveries. Our son, Jared, served literally countless hours in the sound booth during his high school and college years, being one of only 2 sound engineers available. Our daughter, Emma, chose to serve in the preschool area and still serves there today in her own church. These opportunities taught them the way Christ loves us, selflessly. I believe it developed in them a servant's heart and a love for others that can only be gained by lived experience.
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Over the years I have been able to love and serve many women and families and I am so thankful for that! God uses our unique gifts in ways that only He can plan (Ephesians 2:10). I have felt supported and encouraged, specifically under Andre's leadership, to embrace those gifts and use them to glorify God in whatever way He provides. For now, that mostly consists of a lot of hours poured into First Priority and the amazing student missionaries God has equipped across 4 counties. Had it not been for Clayton Crossings’ obedience and willingness to say yes, this ministry would likely not exist in North Carolina. Many students’ lives have been changed for eternity because of that "yes".
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As Clayton Crossings continues to focus more on growing the depth of the discipleship and biblical literacy of our body, I am excited to see how God will continue to multiply our impact on our community and the world. I want nothing more than to know that His people love His Word and seek His ways! All else flows from that! I am thankful to be a part of a church, leadership and membership, that values spreading the Gospel and the hope of Christ and proves that by its fruit!
Brad Harbaugh - Joined 2021
I had originally sent a neighbor to Clayton Crossings to visit and then realized that I better go and see what the church was like. That was the way God directed my family and I to become members.
Something that has encouraged both Robin and I to call Clayton Crossings our church home over the years has been the humble Godly leadership and the lack of a “Rock Star Pastor”. Andre is cool but it's not all about him, he shares his pulpit with the pastoral team and elders. This style of leadership impressed us. We have found the pulpit ministry to be very good over the years. However, the church is a hospital, and that is what God intended. As missionaries serving on a field that live locally, we have found Clayton Crossings to be a place to worship, to serve (as we can) and to belong.
Morgan Cook - Joined 2022
We moved to Clayton in 2021 and the week we moved in we drove by the Church at Clayton Crossings and I told my wife Wendy we should look into it. A full year passed before we actually went, and it's been the best decision of our lives. I am certain God brought us to Clayton, NC to find this church!
I've been to many churches in my lifetime, but none like Clayton Crossings! From the people to the staff, this community has enabled my wife and I to grow closer to God than we ever thought we could. We are inspired to serve more and more as we continue our walk with Jesus. Our hearts are changed forever thanks to Jesus and with a little help from the amazing church family at Clayton Crossings!
Tim Slater - Joined 2022
I moved to North Carolina four years ago for a job opportunity. In my interview I was asked what would make me stay and keep me from moving back. The answer was simple: "To find a church to call home". I found that at Clayton Crossings.
On my first day, Pastor Andre looked at me after the service, pointed at me and said, "You’re new here aren't you?” From that moment on, I knew that this was the church. However, when my wife arrived three months later, she wanted to try a smaller church. We attended a couple for a short time but none of them felt like home to me so we came back. Since returning to the church I've been able to plug in, grow in my walk with God, make some incredible friendships, and find a family away from home. I am truly blessed to be able to call Clayton Crossings home!
