Vision:
Our Vision is to strengthen the faith life of the congregation gathered by the Holy Spirit at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Cross, by strengthening the faith life of baptized families.

Mission Statement:
Our Mission is to develop and initiate a ministry to families which will help children, youth, parents, grandparents, god-parents, and other adults establish, nurture and maintain a lifestyle of faith, love and service in the renewing grace of God.

Have you ever wondered, "What is the meaning of the Faith Chest that is presented to each baptized child?" This chest is part of a ministry to "pass on the faith", a visible means to symbolize the commitment of the congregation to the child and his/her parents. It is also a means to present the parents and child with tools for teaching and learning, to nurture the promises made on the day of baptism. The stole, placed on the child by the Pastor, symbolizes the "yoke" of the child to Christ and to the congregation.

Each Faith Chest contains:

• Stole - handmade by one of our members, in the color of the liturgical season in which the baptism takes place. This Stole is imprinted with the child's name and the date, and carried the Splashed With Promise symbol - dove, shell, water droplets, all symbols of baptism.
  
• Baptismal Napkin embroidered with a cross and a Receiving Blanket with the Splashed With Promise symbol, handmade by one of our members.
  
• Baptismal Candle to be lit on each anniversary of baptism.
  
• Books for parents to use to teach the child
  
• Growth Calendar
  
• Sing-a-long tapes
  
• Cross Bookmark handmade by one of our members
  
• Faith Stories of members of the Splashed With Promise committee
  
• Luther's Small Catechism
  
• Brochures

Teams of visitors are trained by Pastor Joe Rostad, and each team visits with the parents and child before and after baptism, at the first and second anniversary of baptism and at the child's third birthday. At each visit, a further gift is given. Mail-outs are made in between to keep the family in touch and informed of the ministry. By the time the child reaches 4 years of age, we invite them to Sunday School, thus keeping them connected with the church throughout their early years.