A Brief History of Cross-Way Church
Cross-Way Church’s journey began in 2004, when prayer meetings gathered in a humble living room in Pokharels, Kathmandu. It was during this time that Rev. Arbin and Mrs. Bimala Pokharel—native missionaries freshly returned from a transformative two-year service in Dehradun, India—felt God’s call to bring His grace to a troubled Nepal. With hearts full of hope, the first seeds of ministry were planted in a time of deep prayer and communal longing for transformation.
In May and June 2005, the church celebrated its first baptisms when Amrita Shrestha and Nalu Rai publicly professed their faith at the Higher Ground Café in Jawalakhel. This period of early growth led to a milestone on November 19, 2005, when Cross-Way Church was formally inaugurated at Han Kook Inn in Bal Kumari by Dr. Rajendra Rongong. Alongside these events, vibrant youth meetings and outreach activities—most notably “Worship @ Café” (W@C)—began to capture the imagination of the local community, making the church known for its creative and engaging approach to worship.
As the church continued to flourish, 2006 marked the beginning of regular gatherings beyond the rented spaces. A special location behind HG Bakery became the first dedicated church building, symbolizing both community generosity and a commitment to creating a stable home for worship. By 2007, Cross-Way’s vision extended beyond Kathmandu, as fellowships were planted in Nagdhunga and Lamjung. Despite facing local challenges and tragic setbacks that tested the fledgling congregations, these early missions affirmed the church’s conviction: that God was calling them to plant Christ-centered communities throughout Nepal.
In 2008 the church movement took on a broader identity, becoming known as the Christ Reformed Churches of Nepal (CRCN) with the inception of its annual conference. A pivotal moment came when land in Khadkatol was purchased—thanks in large part to the generosity of Dad and Mom Shrestha—laying the foundation for a permanent church campus. By 2009, a new church building in Khadkatol, Ekantakuna, was completed, affirming the congregation’s growing stability and reach.
The next few years saw Cross-Way Church strengthening its leadership and expanding its ministry. In May 2010, Rev. Amit Karthak joined after graduating from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and later that year, the “From the Heart to the Heavens” conference was organized in collaboration with the Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary. The ordination of Pastor Lakim on July 2, 2011, as Pastor of Mission and Church Planting further cemented the church’s commitment to spreading the gospel. New fellowships, like the one at Pokhatar Church, inaugurated on December 31, 2011, continued to reflect Cross-Way’s dynamic expansion.
Challenges have been met with resilience throughout Cross-Way’s history. The tragic Sumo accident of January 2012, the sabbatical year in 2013, and the societal issues the church has confronted have all been turning points that deepened its reliance on prayer, community, and innovative ministry. In March 2014, the XLTI initiative was launched to train church planters, and the “Run to Stop Child Trafficking” campaign showcased the church’s commitment to social justice and community outreach.
In April 2015, a Mega Earthquake shook Nepal, testing the endurance of the community. Yet, in the aftermath, Cross-Way Church continued to persevere. March 2016 was marked by the ordination of five elders and the release of the ministry resource “Laxyabodh: Kristko Sarir,” while the summer saw the beginning of a fundraising campaign to build a new church facility.
A significant turning point came in 2017 when the old, cracked building was demolished, and a temporary structure was erected on an adjacent plot. On Easter that year, construction began on a new, modern church building. This vision was realized on November 19, 2019, when the first public service was held in the new space during Thanksgiving, with regular services commencing on Christmas Day.
The global COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges in March 2020 as Cross-Way Church moved its gatherings online during the lockdown. Yet, even in isolation, the church’s commitment to its mission and to community connection never wavered.
The story of Cross-Way Church is one of humble beginnings, creative outreach, and resilient faith. From the prayer meetings in a modest living room to a vibrant community impacting numerous districts across Nepal, Cross-Way Church stands as a testament to a vision nurtured by dedicated leaders, supportive families, and a relentless desire to plant Christ-centered churches throughout the land.