Wayside Cross Ministries

10/16/2026

Interested in volunteering at Lifespring? Or simply want to learn more about the ministry?

Join us for a tour next week and learn about the important work we are doing to provide safety and healing for the women and children here. We will also share about the various ways you can get involved.

🌱Tuesday, October 20 at 6:15pm�
🌱Thursday, October 22 at 10:15am�
🌱517 College Avenue in Aurora

Both men and women are welcome. RSVP to Director of Lifespring Celia Kallas at [email protected].

10/15/2026

Save the date for Thursday, November 5 for the New Life Corrections Banquet. Hear how God is bringing hope and transformation to men in Illinois prisons and jails. ✨

🔹Featuring Sr. Pastor of The Compass Church Jeff Griffin
🔹Thursday, November 5, 2026
🔹Chicago Marriott Naperville
🔹Doors open at 6pm | Dinner at 6:30pm

More details can be found at waysidecross.org/nlcdinner2026.

10/15/2026

Master’s Touch resident Brent (right) and his mentor “Dr. B” took advantage of the beautiful weather this week and met in the courtyard for their weekly time together. ☀️

Dr. B, a retired veterinarian, is a beloved presence around here. He is one of the dozens of Christ-following men who volunteers his time each week to pour into our residents through mentoring. We’re grateful for each mentor who gives so generously of his time!

10/13/2026

Whether you are donating goods to our warehouse or shopping our thrift stores, you are supporting Wayside Cross Ministries. Your donations become items for sale in our stores, and 100% of the proceeds help fund our ministries and the residents we serve.

Now, there’s another way to shop and support Wayside! 👇

🎉 PARKING LOT SALE 🎉

ALL FURNITURE $10-$25!

▪️October 23–24
▪️Hope Chest, 36 N. Lincoln Ave., Aurora

See flyer for more details.

Join us, find a bargain, and make a difference. 🫶🏼

10/12/2026

What a special evening we had celebrating what God is doing at Elgin Wayside Center! Guests gathered Friday night at Christ Community Church for the annual banquet.

Director Dave Krieger shared an update on the ministry’s growth from a homeless day center into an overnight facility offering Christ-centered care. We also heard from volunteers, staff, and Elgin’s first-ever graduate, which was a special milestone for EWC.

The evening concluded with a message from radio host John Anthony.

Thank you to everyone who attended! If you were unable to come but still want to play a role in what God is doing in the ministry, it’s not too late. Visit waysidecross.org/elgin-2026-banquet

10/09/2026

Our Urban Youth Ministry has a fantastic After School Program for kids, and we need your help getting them there.

We are looking for a volunteer driver.❤️🚗

Can you please help us get the word out through your network? Consider key leaders in your church, a community organization, or your Bible study group.

Perhaps you yourself are a fit! Please apply. Here are the details:

🎒Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
🎒2:30–4 p.m.
🎒6–7 p.m.
🎒Harkness Community Center, Aurora

Applicants must be 21 years of age. More info can be found by contacting Devell at 630.723.3402 or [email protected].

10/07/2026

Addicted and incarcerated by the time he was 20.

Chris burned any options he may have had as a child prodigy. Even his own family didn’t want him back.

But God had bigger plans. After 15 years, those plans eventually lead him to Wayside Cross Ministries. And, thanks to friend like you, he experienced the help and hope he needed.

It changed his life.

Today, he as a reason to be thankful!

Read more of Chris’s journey of transformation below.

...discovering God's program for success.

10/06/2026

Ministry at Wayside takes many different forms. Sometimes it is caring directly for a resident. Other times, it may involve supporting the staff who make that care possible.

The latter is where Gabriel Weckesser comes in. Gabriel is Wayside’s long-time IT Coordinator. 💻 A one-man show, he helps all six ministries run smoothly with their computer, technology, and network needs. This means covering multiple buildings in multiple towns!

And while the staff person dealing with a network issue may understandably get flustered, Gabriel consistently shows up with his kind, calm demeanor and a willingness to help.

These attributes are more than personality traits - they reflect the heart of a man who follows Christ. ✝️ Which also explains his humble answer when asked what his favorite part about Wayside is. He answered, “Its longevity. Wayside existed long before I arrived, and Lord willing, it will extend long after I’m a distant memory.”

Thank you, Gabriel, for keeping Wayside humming!

10/03/2026

Join us for an evening of dinner, ministry updates, and powerful stories of lives being changed through the hope of Jesus Christ.

We’ll also hear from radio personality and former Illinois State Representative John Anthony.

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
📍Christ Community Church, South Elgin
🕕 Doors open at 5:45pm | Dinner at 6:30pm

Dinner is complimentary, but registration is required. Reserve your seat today: waysidecross.org/elgin-2026-banquet

10/02/2026

A Wayside volunteer recently treated the Master’s Touch men to Maggiano’s pizza and arranged for Phillip Van Lear to speak.

Phillip is an actor, national speaker, and Harvest Bible Chapel men’s ministry leader.

It was a great evening of fellowship, food, and encouragement. We are grateful for the many people who take the time to invest in the lives of our residents!