WAYSIDE CROSS MINISTRIES: HELP AND HOPE FOR THE BROKEN, ADDICTED AND ABUSED.
LEARN HOW MEN AND WOMEN ARE BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST DONATE TODAYVOLUNTEERA few of our graduate alumni from our men's Bible-based recovery program.
A few of our graduate alumni from our men's Bible-based recovery program.
WELCOME TO WAYSIDE CROSS MINISTRIES.
For over 95 years, Wayside Cross Ministries has provided restoration, recovery, and transitional housing for the impoverished, addicted, and abused. Men, women, and children are discovering new life and new hope. Aurora used to be the end of the line for people leaving Chicago. Today, Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora is a place of transformation and fresh starts. A place that got its start when one major league baseball player traded his glove for a bible. Read more about Billy Sunday and the ministry he helped inspire below.
- BIBLE-BASED RECOVERY PROGRAM for broken and addicted men
- A SAFE PLACE FOR ABUSED AND ADDICTED WOMEN, and their children
- CARE FOR THE CHRONICALLY / MARGINALLY HOMELESS: individual care for the chronically homeless
- PRISON MINISTRY: spiritual care, teaching parental responsibilities, support for reconnecting with family, and release transition options
- AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAM: afterschool support, recreation and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth
- TRANSITIONAL WORK PROGRAM: reinforcing teamwork and individual responsibility while giving back to the greater community
Wayside also provides meals, transitional housing while in recovery, training, mentors through the local church, and daycare for working women in program. LEARN MORE.
Mission, Vision and Core Values
MISSION: To honor God by loving and serving the afflicted and powerless through sharing the Gospel of forgiveness and hope in Jesus Christ by empowering them to be disciples of Christ.
VISION: To be a Christ-centered ministry pursuing excellence through transformed lives for God’s glory.
CORE VALUES: CHRIST-LIKENESS | COMPASSION | COMMITMENT | COLLABORATION | COMMUNITY
Mission, Vision and Core Values
MISSION:
To honor God by loving and serving the afflicted and powerless through sharing the Gospel of forgiveness and hope in Jesus Christ by empowering them to be disciples of Christ.
VISION:
To be a Christ-centered ministry pursuing excellence through transformed lives for God’s glory.
CORE VALUES:
CHRIST-LIKENESS
COMPASSION
COMMITMENT
COLLABORATION
COMMUNITY
Giving Help and Hope
At Wayside Cross Ministries, we are committed to breaking the chains of Poverty, Addiction, Abuse, and Despair. Every month, we serve hundreds of men, women and children, providing them with a safe environment, recovery and transformational programs, job training and mentorship.
For over 95 years, people like you have helped make it possible for thousands of people to experience a transformed and productive life.
- Women and women with children fleeing domestic violence or a life of destructive behavior
- Men seeking redemption from poor choices and broken lives
- At-risk youth who just need a safe environment to grow, learn and develop
- Mercy, forgiveness and the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, for the imprisoned
- Warmth, nourishment and care for the chronically homeless
That's more than 8,838 lives impacted for Christ's Kingdom, this year alone.
The needs are great, but with your faithful prayers and financial support we continue to provide food, clothing, safe housing, recovery programs, and job training that all lead to transformation and a fruitful life. Please join us in making a difference. Give today! For your convenience, you can make a donation here!
In His bond,
James Lukose
Executive Director
“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.”
Meeting The Biggest Needs
Shelter
Meals
Necessities
Guidance
One-on-One Guidance Sessions
Training
Prison Ministry
Warming Center
Youth Services
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD IN NEED.
Partner with us and transform lives with the love of Christ.OUR HISTORY
More than 95 years ago, along the banks of the Fox River, during the time of the great depression, the great evangelist Billy Sunday held a series of meetings in Aurora about the urgent need for a rescue mission. A place of shelter and hope for people in need where area pastors and the church could feed and clothe the naked as Christ commanded. Not long after, these churches and their pastors formed the Aurora Ministerial Alliance, and Wayside Cross was born. Today, Aurora Illinois history remains forever etched through this landmark of hope that now provides six distinct ministry divisions to serve and house people in need. It’s supported by church partners, individuals and area business who believe in the work, and what God is doing here.
Initially, the doors of the Mission were opened to provide spiritual and material help to the growing numbers of transient men in downtown Aurora. Compassion for the imprisoned resulted in a volunteer corps of workers being enlisted to provide religious services at Kane County Jail. Weekday children’s clubs were initiated, as well as a Sunday School for poor and neglected youth. Homeless women and children were housed in Wayside’s chapel.
These early years were characterized by prayer, hard work, and undaunted faith in God. Vision became a reality as countless numbers of people were helped. Lives were transformed, and God was glorified.
Through God’s grace, the ministry continues to transform, as much as the people we’ve helped, thanks to the prayers and support of area churches and servant leaders who have been raised up to guide the ministry through tremendous growth and meet the growing needs of the broken, addicted and abused.
Today, the vision continues…by the Body of Christ and through the power of God, we have evolved from one ministry—to six distinct, vibrant Bible-based, Christ-centered divisions focused on transforming lives of men, women, youth, and children in the greater Chicagoland area.
Charles H. Wieand
Superintendent
1928-1937
Rev. Alton J. Crouse
Superintendent
1937-1941
Lyman E. Davis
Superintendent
1941-1954
Rev. Paul M. Johannaber
Superintendent
1954-1984
Rev. Wayne W. Greenawalt
Executive Director
1984-2010
James M. Lukose
Executive Director
2011-Present
Contact Us
215 E. New York Street • Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: 630-892-4239
Fax: 630-892-3799
Email: info@waysidecross.org
GET INVOLVED
Proud Member
These days, Lark has gained some really good friendships at Lifespring. She appreciates that there are people in the program that she can share her struggles with, like a resident named Rica, who is very knowledgeable about the Bible. “She’ll quote me things and talk to me.” She has helped Lark through some tough times. Women in the Lifespring program all come from different walks of life. Lark shared, “But we are all here for the same reason. We’re broken, and we need help. We need God! We are here wanting to know how to be put back together…but for the most part we are a family.”
We embrace all people with the compassion of Christ
Wayside Cross Ministries is a 501(c) (3) | EIN 36~2167950
81% of all gifts fund life-transforming programs & meals.
