Crossroads Community Center

Crossroads Community Center is located on N. 6th St in Philadelphia, PA in one of the poorest communities of any major US city. Jesus’ words are the foundation for their ministry: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36, NIV)  

Crossroads Community Center is housed in two row homes in the Fairhill community of Philadelphia and serves the community in variety of ways. Each week, Crossroads distributes 3,000 pounds of food to the community. The Center also provides a safe haven to at-risk teens, tutoring, culturally-minded books, swimming, basketball, and even boxing, allowing them to stay safe and learn about the Lord.  

Pastor Juan Marrero has been the Executive Director of Crossroads Community Center since 2005. Marrero also pastors at Christ Centered Church and has a blended family with his wife, Sandra, and seven children. 

Crossroads also has a full-time prison chaplain, Chaplain Ron Muse, who works to support inmates, especially as they transition back to society as returning citizens. Christ Centered Church, where Marrero pastors, was planted ten years ago to provide something “more relevant” for returning citizens, who make up about 70% of the congregation. 

Pastor Marrero often takes youth from Crossroads to Pivott Boxing Academy just down the street. Along with providing discipline, boxing can also be a non-lethal means to end conflict. 

“Once during a gun violence episode,” Marrero recalls, “I met with both parties, and asked, `How can we resolve this peacefully?’” They decided to go to the boxing ring, boxed for two minutes, and it was over.  “No blood spilled and no issues with the police,” reported Marrero. “While it may seem unorthodox, it was a means to a peaceful resolution.” 

In the gospel of Mark, after a man is rid of a legion of demons, he begs to go with Jesus, who responds: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:18-20, NIV). Inspired by Mark 5, Marrero believes that communities should transform and raise up leaders rather than just partnering with outside ministries.  

“When Crossroads gave me my opportunity, I had a hint of the street in me,” explained Marrero. “A graffiti artist’s skills can be honed for good. Kids who like to fight can be trained to box and become role models for discipline. God can redeem the negative and use it for his Kingdom.” 

Pastor Marrero has seen this redemption in many ways, with some Crossroads youth becoming lawyers or piano teachers. “That gives us hope,” he says. “On the other hand, some still struggle; some go to prison. But you don’t give up on them. You walk with them in the midst of their struggles.” It is at this meeting place, this crossroads, that Marrero and his team try to lead the youth to good decisions and how the center got its name.  

Through serving the hungry, providing support for children and youth, and serving prisoners and returning citizens succeed in society, Pastor Marrero and Crossroads Community Center are committed to bring peace to the world. “The word  ‘peace’ comes from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning ‘nothing missing, nothing broken,’” explains Marrero. “God wants you to be whole. Crossroads is a vehicle by which people can connect with Christ and be prosperous and whole in every aspect of their life.” 

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Since 1965, Crossroads Community Center has been a light to the Fairhill Community of North Philadelphia, PA. In 2020, the Center was nominated as a “Zone of Peace” by the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia.   

The Fairhill neighborhood, with a poverty rate of over 61% and child poverty rate of 75%, is one of the poorest areas in the city of Philadelphia. This neighborhood also has the 4th highest crime rate in Philadelphia.  Few churches remain in the region, jobs are scarce, drugs abundant, and school dropouts frequent.   

Pastor Juan Marrero, Executive Director of Crossroads Community Center, and his wife, Sandra, a social worker, grew up and live in Fairhill.  With their calling and love, Crossroads Community Center keeps its lights on.   

At the heart of Crossroads’ ministries are children and youth. For four generations, Crossroads has provided a safe place for recreation, socializing, and Bible teaching.  Like many families in 2020, Crossroads’ youth have experienced virtual learning throughout the year. For most families in the Fairhill neighborhood, many of whom are Latino and immigrants with English as a second language, virtual learning is one more level of complication for the children and youth.

In response to virtual learning needs, Crossroads has provided a Learning Pod in the center of the neighborhood. The Learning Pod is a safe, well-organized, and well-managed environment for students, providing a setting for an enhanced learning experience.  Offering two meals a day along with nutritious snacks, The Pod provides the community youth with an environment for learning, Christian mentorship, and possibilities for a full future. “Crossroads kids” have found a home. Specific programs such as The Pod require financial support and donations are welcome.

Crossroads’ continues their mission to evangelize, disciple, and demonstrate the gospel in word and deed, with the help of a generous and involved larger community.  A vision for a focus on a youth summer program is also on our agenda. The Center also celebrates volunteers who offer their gifts of time and skills to assist in our ministry. 

The Center invites Mosaic Conference youth groups to visit and experience what God is doing in the Fairhill community.