Project Crossroads

In 1988 a group of local churches through the Marion Area Ministerial Association started an outreach program to address some of the housing needs in Marion, Virginia under the direction of Rev. Harry Howe. By the end of 1988, the need for a full-time program to coordinate available resources and church volunteers was realized. In 1989 the program began working with local agencies and was able to do far more to meet the needs in the community through mutual cooperation between the churches and agencies.

The ministry, which began as "Helping Hands Ministry" and serving only Smyth County, grew into Project Crossroads, which was incorporated in 1992. In July 1993, the ministry became a full-time mission with Rev. Harry Howe, also a Church & Community Worker, assigned as the Director by the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

Today, Project Crossroads serves the residents of Smyth and surrounding counties year round as volunteer teams come from all over the country to spend a week or more repairing or building homes, cutting and delivering firewood, helping with the annual Thanksgiving meal, and help with emergency assistance as needed. Though the physical work the teams provide is important, the most important work comes as the lives of the residents are transformed as they experience the love of Christ through strangers who become friends.