OUR MISSION
The mission of Elder Serves Cross Ministry is to spread our faith in Jesus Christ through the making and distribution of small wooden crosses. We provide FREE HANDMADE CROSSES to anyone who asks.
WHAT WE DO
Elder students come together to build small wooden crosses in the form of necklaces and simple wood crosses. These crosses are available to anyone who would like them – free of charge.
HISTORY
Elder’s Cross Ministry was inspired by the work of two men – former Elder teacher Mark Klusman and an Iowa pastor named Mr. Bill Evans.
In 1978, Elder teacher Mr. Mark Klusman gave each student in his Geography class a small wooden cross. Mr. Forman was a student in Mr. Klusman’s class and was impacted by this small token of our faith. He still has this cross in his possession today.
In 2011, Mr. Bill Evans of Davenport, Iowa, began the 2nd Chance Cross Ministry to give old, unusable wood a “second chance” by turning transform this discarded lumber into small crosses. Mr. Evans would then send these crosses, at no cost, to whoever requested them. Over the years, Mr. Forman became friends with Mr. Evans and requested and received several thousand wooden cross necklaces for his students. In June 2018, Mr. Evans’ ministry ended when he passed away (obituary) after impacting many thousands of lives through his small creation of a cross.
CONTINUING THE MISSION
At Elder High School, we continue Mr. Evan’s mission while honoring the memory and legacy of Mr. Mark Klusman and the gift of crosses he shared with his students. The process of producing these crosses involves acquiring scrap hardwood, planing the wood to the proper thickness, cutting and routing the pieces, gluing, drilling, and assembling the finished necklaces and keyrings.
This year, the crosses will be produced primarily by Mr. Greg Dickman’s freshman classes. Mr. Dickman, a religion teacher at Elder and a close friend of Mr. Klusman, remembers Mark as an incredible embodiment of Jesus to the students at Elder and as a great personal mentor and friend. As Mr. Dickman says, “Mark not only served the community as Jesus would, he even looked like Jesus. He was an incredible human being.” Mr. Dickman’s students will make the crosses that are sent to those who request them and they will also pray for each recipient, continuing the spirit of faith, service, and love that Mark shared with the Elder community.
WOULD LIKE SOME CROSSES?
- IN CINCINNATI AREA: Click the Request Crosses button. Crosses are available for pickup at Elder High School (3900 Vincent Ave, Cincinnati OH, 452505). We will notify you once your crosses are ready for pickup at Elder. If you are elderly or disabled, we can mail them to you.
- OUTSIDE CINCINNATI: Click the Request Crosses button. We are happy to mail the crosses to you if you are willing pay the postage. Call Todd Forman @ 513.921.3499 if you’d like to place an order and he will tell you postage costs
SUPPORT OUR WORK
If you would like to support our ministry, consider making a modest donation. Funds will pay for materials needed in producing the crosses. You can make a donation via credit card by calling Amy Iori at 513.921.3422. If you’d prefer to send a check, it can be made payable to Elder High School Cross Ministry and mailed to: Todd Forman, Elder HS, 3900 Vincent Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45205. Thanks!
THANKS
Scrap Hardwood: Mrs. Terri Hogan and Mr. Harrison Bird of Contemporary Cabinetry East
Woodworking: Mr. Dan Hart
CONTACT
Todd Forman (formantt@elderhs.net) or Greg Dickman (dickmangr@elderhs.net).
