Meet the Pastors
Pastors Don & Marlene Ramirez
Pastors Donald and Marlene Ramirez are the founders and Senior Pastors of The Cross Church. Their dedication to preaching the message of Jesus is shown in everything they do. Pastor Don is known for his visionary abilities and passion to express God’s word and make it relevant. Pastor Don’s animated and humorous style of preaching keeps you on the edge of your seats.
Both Donald and Marlene grew up in the City of East Chicago with Godly influence around them. Their passion for the gospel and their love for the city they were raised in are the main reasons they decided to plant their church in the city of East Chicago, Indiana. God saved Pastor Don from a lifestyle of gang violence, brokenness, hurt and bondage so they understand the need and the urgency to bring the Gospel that can be obtainable with love, mercy, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. They have two wonderful sons, Jamey and Giovanni Ramirez, a daughter in-law, Vanessa Ramirez and grandson, Elian Ramirez.
They are looking forward to sharing with you and building relationships.
For more information about Pastor Don Ministries please email: info@thecrosschurchfamily.org
Purpose Statement
“We are The Church of The City Today, Tomorrow The Nation.”
“Where there is no vision the people perish.” -Proverbs 29:18
Our Mission
We are committed to showing the love of Christ to a hurting world, and bring salvation through the power of the Cross. We desire to impact our communities, by demonstrating the love of Christ. We have many community outreach programs that have impacted many in our city and surrounding communities. Come be part of a church that goes beyond its four walls in order to show God’s love. “A church in a city for the city”
Our Vision
We envision that The Cross Church, will be a dynamic growing body of believers, whose main focus is to lift up the name of Jesus, by doing His will as He leads and directs us. This body of believers will be characterized by its diversity, ages, interest, talents and abilities. Each believer will have his or her place in the body to serve and will be equipped to do what God has called them to do.
Our passion is a judgment free atmosphere and a come as you are Church so we can be able to seek out the unchurched, the hurting, the rejected, the lonely, the overlooked, the sick, and all whose lives are empty and without the love of Christ. We envision that the outreach of the Cross Church, will be beyond the walls of the church. This entails leaving the comfort zone of our church and going out to the neighboring community. We need to experience people and become involved in their lives. As we become involved we can build a bridge from their situations to their salvation.
In this manner, The Cross Church will serve as a spiritual hospital and lighthouse guiding the lost to safety and restoration. Developing people and helping them grow into their Christian walk will be an important responsibility and area of ministry in our church. Every individual will be encouraged to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by stressing the importance of personal prayer, bible study as well as cooperate worship and discipleship. The congregation of the Cross church will be an example of Christian love, building each other, encouraging one another, and excepting each other. Unity, involvement and accountability will characterize our relationship.
By meeting the needs of the people, The Cross Church walls will not be able to contain the people who seek to worship and fellowship. We envision developing leaders in order to accommodate the people God will send, by building them up with the adequate tools necessary to meet the needs of those that attend. We envision The Cross Church being a ministry that’s not define by one specific location but by many locations that will be planted throughout the region and nation.
To support this type of growth, we need to develop our church infrastructure. We must be equipped and organized, with policies and procedures, finances, budgets and assessable information. Most importantly we must develop our staff and Christian lay workers. To support the ministries and infrastructures that is needed as we enter this new season.
By doing so we must be found faithful, diligently at his work until the Lord Jesus returns, standing on and committed to the Great Commission and understanding The Cross Church foundational scripture “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
Ministries at The Cross
At The Cross Church we have many areas of ministries that one can get involved with or be impacted by. Our goal is to get our Cross Church family to connect, grow, and serve with the ministry. Our hearts are to glorify God, while highlighting the special gifts and abilities that He has bestowed upon His people. Don’t allow what God has placed in you to lay dormant!
Worship & Cross Choir
At the Cross Church, we believe that praise and worship are an active, dynamic, integral link between God and His people, so come join us and experience our Worship. Opportunities to be a part of this ministry are available for those gifted with musical ability who have the desire to serve and wish to be a part of The Cross Church. Come and be a part of our volunteer worship team, band, or Choir. For more information contact: Worship Director: Minister Will Perez Choir Director: Pastor Marlene
Email: crossworship@thecrosschurchfamily.org
Performing Arts
“Crossfire” is a powerful, dynamic, ministry that uses different forms of expression to worship God and edify His people. The ministry seeks to invite the presence of our Almighty God. We offer opportunities in dance, spoken word, and drama to allow the word of God to come to life and touch the hearts of the people. Looking to share your gifts in these areas? Come and have a cross experience with us. For more information contact: Performing Arts Dir.: Adriana Guevara
Children’s Ministry
Our desire for the children at The Cross Church is for them to encounter and experience God’s love and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The children’s ministry, “Cross Trainers,” is designed to equip children ages 1-8 by demonstrating the love of Christ to each of the children, through teachings, music and crafts in a safe and fun environment. If you are interested in volunteering with the children’s ministry contact the individuals below. Nursery Director: Maria Ocasio
Youth Ministry
We have a ministry focused on developing and cultivating a need for God in our young people’s lives. This ministry will help them grow into mighty men and women of God through classes, activities, and discipleship. Our youth ministry, “Cross Generation”, is intended for High School and Jr. High students between the ages of 12 and 20, which gathers every Friday of each month at 7 pm. For more information contact: Youth Pastors Edwin and Christina Torres
Intercession Ministry
Our Intercession Ministry is integrated in many areas of The Cross Church. It is through prayer that strongholds are broken. At the Cross Church we believe that miracles, signs and wonders are still unfolding through the power of God and prayer.
If you are in need of prayer, our intercessory ministry is ready to pray with and encourage you in those times of need. We encourage you to come to regular services or contact our team for individual prayer with our intercessors.
Media Ministry
Social media has become a very important arm in reaching the body of Christ and our media team is dedicated to making your experience with The Cross Church online just as unforgettable as physically being with us. “The Cross Experience” encourages the youth of the church , as well as adults, to get involved, get social, and most importantly get God to our online family.
For more information on how you can get involved with our youth media ministry or “The Cross Experience” please contact the Media Director, Malcolm Jones.
Support Groups at
The Cross
Grief Support Group
Our Grief Support Group is focused on support people experiencing a loss. This loss could be the passing of a loved one, whether the loss is recent or one that time can not heal we invite you to be encouraged, uplifted and prayed for through this support group. May you continue to your pursuit to peace of mind and joy through this support group.
This group meets on Thursday , please see Darlene Tomsich for more information.
Sobriety Support Group
The Sobriety Support Group is intended to help you be an overcomer. The key to standing strong through adversity and sobriety it to know who you are. During our support group meetings we will remind you that your not in the journey to sobriety alone and the key to standing strong through adversity is to know who you are as a child of God.
This group meets on Thursday , please see Deacon Jose Vega for more information.