In 2015, a group of visionary leaders came together with a shared mission: to foster collaboration among churches and nonprofits. These leaders were driven by a common goal, to unite their efforts in a way that would effectively serve at-risk families and help them break free from the cycle of poverty. The result of their dedication and determination was the Christian Resource Center (CRC), a Christian help center in Cedar Park built on the belief that churches can do far more together than apart.

How the Christian Resource Center Began

The journey began with Hill Country Bible Church, which was already actively collaborating with Mission Possible in East Austin and the Grace Family Resource Center in St. John’s. They envisioned a resource center in Cedar Park to extend their reach and impact. Around the same time, Bethany United Methodist Church proposed creating a center called “Circle of Care” in Cedar Park. Recognizing the potential for synergy, Hill Country Bible Church joined Bethany to explore the possibilities.

During these discussions, a pivotal moment occurred at a Baptist Convention in Dallas. Pastor Nathan of Twin Lakes Fellowship met Chris Rowley from Women’s Job Corp. Chris was searching for a location for a nonprofit called Servants of the City. This connection sparked the formation of what would become the Christian Resource Center.

The Problems CRC Was Built to Solve

The idea for the CRC was born out of years of frustration experienced by church and faith-based nonprofit leaders. They regularly hosted network meetings to brainstorm ways to better serve families in need. While these meetings were helpful, they often fell short of concrete solutions. Two major issues came up again and again:

  1. Lack of Follow-Through by Service Providers: Many providers struggled with accountability and resource limitations.
  2. Challenges Faced by Families Seeking Services: Families often dealt with barriers like transportation issues, time constraints, lack of childcare, and the fear of facing yet another rejection.

From these challenges emerged a powerful idea: to be truly effective, community stakeholders needed a comprehensive plan that addressed all of a family’s needs. That required close collaboration, stronger accountability, shared resources, and one centralized service center.

A Mission Rooted in the Gospel

The CRC was created to embody this vision. Its mission was to ensure that every man, woman, and child within a 10-mile radius had repeated opportunities to hear, see, and feel the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The CRC encouraged united churches to “own the lostness” of their community, taking collective responsibility for its spiritual and physical well-being.

Since its inception, the Christian Resource Center has witnessed the transformative power of collaboration. The unity among churches and the strength of the prayer movement have been instrumental in its success. By working together, these churches have experienced renewed joy in serving and have seen a significant impact in the lives of the people they help. Families receive substantially more assistance, leading to sustainability and the realization of their dreams.

Where CRC Is Today

The vision those leaders shared in 2015 is now a working campus. Today, CRC brings eleven member ministries together under one roof, so a family in crisis can find food, clothing, job training, counseling, healthcare, and more in one place. Instead of being handed a phone number and sent across town, families are walked from one ministry to the next with a warm, personal referral. That is exactly the kind of follow-through the founders set out to create.

For many families, the first stop is a food pantry in Cedar Park they can count on. From there, the support grows to fit what each family actually needs. For a full look at everything available, read our guide to what services the Christian Resource Center offers.

Need help right now? You do not have to figure it out alone. Visit our Get Help page to take your next step with a Christian help center that is ready to walk alongside you.

Be Part of the Next Chapter

The CRC story is still being written, and it has always been written by people who chose to show up. Whether you want to serve a few hours a month or bring your whole small group, explore our volunteer opportunities in Cedar Park. Church leaders can partner with CRC and join the congregations that decided to stop working in silos. And every gift helps keep this Christian help center open for the next family who walks through the door, so please consider a donation to CRC.

The Christian Resource Center stands as a testament to what can happen when visionary leaders unite with a shared purpose. It is a story of hope, determination, and unwavering faith in the power of community to bring about lasting change.