A Winnipeg church came together this past weekend to raise money for missions at a fundraising banquet. In fact, they not only met but exceeded their goal.

Cross Church in Winnipeg was able to raise $55,346.38 as a faith community at the weekend event.

When they first started raising money for missions years ago, they were challenged by a visiting missionary to raise five to ten thousand and they thought as a small church that would be nearly unreachable. However, they reached that in the first year.

Now after many years of annually raising money for missions, they have raised over 1.6 million dollars as a church. "For a little church here in the core area we're just excited about what God's doing overseas and we're so thankful for God using us." Said Chris Zielke, a pastor at Cross Church. 

The church has connected with many different groups around the world over the years sending their funds to places like Burundi, Zambia, The Philippines, not to mention right here in Winnipeg. They've also sent hundreds of people on missions trips, and have done trips with Operation Christmas Child to Mexico and Costa Rica.

"You've just got to be willing to let God use you, take that step of faith and see what He can do. It's amazing to see the results. We're so blessed and so privileged to be a part of the great work to build His kingdom around the world."