When Pastor Sam Andres of King’s Cross Church and Pastor Max Begley of Second Baptist Church met in 2021 to talk about merging their two congregations, God had already been at work behind the scenes. Their friendship began years earlier through a clergy fellowship group in Defiance, Ohio. It was at the monthly clergy fellowship gathering that Sam learned about Max’s desire to retire from leading Second Baptist after 28 years. What happened next demonstrated friendship and unity in the body of Christ as the two churches began the process of merging.
Over the past year, leaders from King’s Cross and Second Baptist have been praying and working together to merge their congregations. Every Wednesday night, people from both churches have shared a meal and met for classes at Second Baptist. In September, the churches voted to officially merge their congregations, and both emerged with 95% affirmation from their members.
The newly merged churches will retain the name King’s Cross Church, and eventually, they will begin meeting at Second Baptist Church’s building. In addition to the merger, Pastor Max Begley has begun his new role as the part-time care pastor. Pastor Sam Andres emphasized that the King’s Cross motto has been “seek first the kingdom of God”, and “this merger is an expression of seeing God’s kingdom go forward.”
