Free Grace United Church — Local services in Elk River

I use to really like this church.. I still do. The services are great. But why would someone keep going to a place where they get treated so awful. Went here for 6 years..served here for 6 years but was made to stop due to having mental health problems. They say there is a spot for everyone which is a lie.. Don't let your depression show or anything else because you will be judged and treated differently in a negative way. Then when you are forced to not be able to serve anymore they will try and control you on what service you can go to and what campus. When you don't fall into their mold then eventually the staff just stops talking to you all together. I have been isolated and judged by people who work here more then any where else. Then when things started going bad I talked to a couple people about it and they confronted some of the staff.. Then the staff pulled me into the office and said that these people fronted them..but they told them what I said wasn't true and that I shouldn't talk about what I was going through because I was making my self look bad..so not only did they lie to these people but they literally told me to my face that what they were doing to me made me look bad...Its hard for me to even pick up my bible anymore or even listen to Christian music because it hurts that God would let people do this to others.. People who claim that their building is a safe spot ..who claim that they don't judge and you are not rushed into anything about faith..people who say your "family" Is there some staff that actually care .. Yes. However the ones that treat others like this are so loud And hateful about it.. Its hard to even seek God there anymore. Don't get me wrong I don't hate this church..and I recommend you go ahead and try it for your self ...I'm just sharing my experience. Like I said all was good for 6 years and then mental health came into play and it turned from a safe place to hell. I love the talks and sometimes want to go back and try to get my faith back but then I remember everything they said to me and done to me and I just can't. My depression made me feel like nobody care.. 3 staff members told me that I was being abusive to them for saying that because they "cared". I come from an abusive back ground so for them to say that made me feel even more depressed and more hateful toward my self. From what has happened here ...here at the place that preached there is a God and he is good and I have a purpose..now because of this same place.. I'm not even sure there is a God anymore and if there is they proved to me he isn't good. Discrimination, spiritual abuse and mental and emotional abuse should not be something someone has to go through in a place that claims to...

Updated My family has attended The Crossing for almost 7 years (my last review was when we had attended for 3.5 years). In all my years of trying different churches, I finally found a place that I did not feel condemned, judged, uncomfortable or bored! I actually look forward to church every week and what I can learn from the biblically based sermons. Pastor Eric and Kelly Dykstra have a genuine heart for the broken, hurt and people far from God. Aside from the great worship music, great stage production and wonderful staff...I go to church because I know I am hearing the word of God. My children have gained knowledge and are growing spiritually. My marriage is stronger, my friendships are blooming, and my own understanding and hunger for spiritual growth abounds. I enjoy volunteering, not because I have to, but because I want to. People who volunteered 7 years ago are the reason why my family is still here! I graduated from The Crossing College with an Associates degree in ministry and leadership in 2015. I found my love for studying the Bible exponentially grow. I still work full time as an RN, but this degree is invaluable for anyone. I pray for those who are angry at the church (not any one in particular) that they really dig deep to the root of that anger and pain. I gladly tithe to my church as many other people do at their churches. Once I gave my life to Jesus, the tithe wasn't a way for me to be suspicious of the church's motives or give with a guilty heart, it was a heart check on me. Trust me, giving out of guilt is not what He wants, but your whole heart. This isn't a new idea. It is biblical (read your bible!) and being obedient to God (and if you don't tithe, you're not going to Hell! Jesus loves you too much) and a way for us to continue to be an outreach church and continue to guide, share and lead the way for others to know the love of Jesus. I wish I didn't have to even write about tithing- it should just be the norm. This is a hot topic and often why people leave churches. Start praying, seeking his will and where your heart is at. As for me and my family, we couldn't be happier at The Crossing. Neither my husband and I are paid staff either or ever have...

This so called church is a FALSEHOOD! Nothing better than a "fake church" who uses GOD,sweepstakes, raffles and giveaways to trick people into being brainwashed! Their so called pastor isn't even ordained!! I attended a few services and at first everything seemed ok, but something just felt really OFF! Then came the weird rules like if you get up from your seat you can not return to your family or friends you must sit in the back!?! That and how it is kept very very dark during services. God is light illuminate the place! What rubbed me really wrong was these so called pasters. Non had any monisary back ground, college or education in this field! After I did a little researching I went back one more time, the service was absolutely appalling! Long story short, the message giving that day was if you don't give "us" your money and time working for the Crossing God will turn his back on you and disown you. It took every last ounce a will to not raise my hand stand up and ask what verse this so called pastor was reading from out of the BIBLE that stated this! I would stay away from this so-called church.

Jude 1:1-25 ESV

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. ...

Romans 16:17-18 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts...