Transition

#TheCrossingnc

Here you will find all pertinent details for the upcoming transitions at First Christian Church and The Crossing church.

Have questions? we want to answer them.

Please contact us to set up a time to talk with us.

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Since the founding of First Christian Church Ministries in 1987, we have always chased after God's will.

Since the founding of First Christian Church Ministries in 1987, we have always chased after God's will. From building expansions to starting other campuses to assisting local churches, leadership has never been afraid to face the next big challenge head-on.


This is a legacy that has been ingrained in our DNA since day one and has become an essential part of who we are.

The last few years have been filled with massive changes for all of us. At First Christian Church Ministries, we have also had an action-packed few years.


In 2017 we followed God’s leading and started our Crossing Campus inside an elementary school in Kernersville with big plans to build where our city was growing. In November 2019, those plans became reality when the building was finished, and we held our first service inside the new building!

Leadership Transition

Since starting the church in 1987, Dr. Pete Kunkle has been a faithful leader and visionary to our congregation. In August of 2023, Pete will retire as Senior Pastor of First Christian Church Ministries. In August of 2022, Pastor Eddie Schmidt was voted on and approved as our Senior Associate Pastor making an official season of transition for him to succeed Pastor Pete as the Sr. Pastor in August 2023.


Please watch Pastor Pete's announcement at our congregational meeting on May 25th of 2022. 

Eddie Schmidt

Eddie joined the staff as Executive Pastor in August 2021 where he oversees all the operations and staff. Originally  from the midwest, Eddie most recently spent the last several years serving as a pastor in the Orlando area. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies and Preaching from Cincinnati Christian University and a MA in Theological Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary. Eddie and his wife, Samantha, have two young children, a son and a daughter. In his free time, Eddie enjoys coffee shops, playing golf, and is a self proclaimed skee-ball player. He can confidently say he’s seen Disney’s Frozen movie over 100 times thanks to his daughter.

A New Season

Since starting the church in 1987, Dr. Pete Kunkle has been a faithful leader and visionary to our congregation. In August of 2023, Dr. Pete Kunkle will retire as senior pastor of First Christian Church Ministries. In August of 2022, pastor Eddie Schmidt was voted on and approved as our Sr. Associate pastor making an official season of transition for him to succeed pastor Pete as the Sr. Pastor in August 2023.




Please watch Pastor Pete's announcement at our congregational meeting on May 25th, 2022. 

Watch Video

New Name, Same Identity

First Christian Church Ministries was started in 1987 with the mission to WIN the lost, TRAIN the won, and SEND the trained. Our methodology has evolved, but the mission remains unchanged. A church's name should convey more than identity; it should speak to its mission. In January of 2023, we will no longer use the name First Christian Church Ministries. At both campuses, we will be called The Crossing Church at either North Main or Union Cross. Please watch Pastor Pete's announcements at our congregational meeting on May 25th of 2022. 

Our Core Identity.

  • The Mission Remains. Our goal is to Win the lost, Train the won, and SEND the trained. 
  • Our core beliefs and values will not change. We will have no book but the Bible, no creed but Christ, and wear no other name than the Devine name of Jesus Christ. 
  • Our desire is and will always be to be a place where everyone is welcome, nobody is perfect, and through Jesus, anything's possible. 
  • Our dedicated pastors and staff will continue to serve our church family and help carry out the vision of Win, Train, Send. 

So...What's Next?

We move Forward!

Changes of this magnitude come after much prayer, fasting, planning, and discussion. As God leads, His church will follow. God’s faithfulness is proven time and time again. While transitions are sometimes complex, intentional leadership and clear communication prevent unnecessary confusion. God gets the praise for the past decades of fruitful ministry under Pastor Pete’s leadership. The future is bright, packed with tremendous potential as Pastor Eddie leads The Crossing Church forward.

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