Ramblin’ man settles as new pastor at Selbu

After more than a decade and 11,423 miles bicycling across the U.S., Pastor John Cross has found a place to rest.

Cross recently took over as pastor at Selbu Lutheran Church between LaCrosse and Hay.

“I’m just glad to be in one spot,” said Pastor Cross. “And this is a great spot to be.”

He takes over the pastor position at Selbu from Dennis Bay, who retired in August after 32 years as the church’s pastor.

Over the previous year and a half, Cross was on the road, without any possessions save the 60 pounds of gear he packed on his trusty Trek bicycle, as he did a “double-cross,” riding his bike back and forth across the country.

“I think that bike trip really prepared me for this church,” he said. “On the road, you see so many small towns. It’s real easy to find the heart of people in small towns.”

Cross, 62, also deepened his connection with his God on the road, reinvigorating a passion for the church and collecting experiences he now incorporates into his sermons.

His ride gave him a chance to ruminate on life, its meaning, and how the church fits into the lives of people everywhere.

His sermon for the pre-Memorial Day service included tales of his ride alongside a Marine who rode in a recombinant bike because he had lost the use of his legs and much of his torso in combat.

“He looked at me and said ‘John. I just can’t wait to get up everyday,’” said Cross with a beaming smile. “That just shows you how much of a gift life truly is.”

Cross, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, took his first mega-bike ride as a young man in 1976, riding with three partners on a 8,400-mile fundraising and mission trek from Detroit through north, central and south America to Belize.

After riding solo on the open road, Cross is now looking forward to the secluded tranquillity of the Selbu church, though he needed a little help from the congregation.

He quoted Dave Loggins’ 1974 hit song “Please Come Back to Boston” in saying it is time for this “rambling man” to settle down.

He’s writing a book about his travels and now enjoys serving home communion to elderly members of the Selbu congregation.

Cross worked as a consultant for Lutheran congregations around the country for the previous 14 years, helping churches increase their numbers and raising funds for projects, buildings and mission trips.

He hopes to bring that ability to “connect” people to Selbu, helping bring the church back to members who have moved away or turned away from the church.

Prior to his consulting work, Cross served as pastor of congregations in Arizona and Oregon. He also hosted a weekly radio show “Connections” which ran for more than 14 years.

Cross is divorced, has three grown children and five grandchildren.