Gary Hanson Named New CROSS Outreach Director

The CROSS Outreach Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Gary Hanson as the new executive director of CROSS Outreach. Hanson, an ordained Reformed Church of America pastor, comes to the position after many years of ministry. He has served congregations in northern Iowa, Pella, and most recently Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Urbandale. In addition to his faith-based background, Hanson will build on his years of experience working within the local nonprofit community. The Wisconsin native is married to Margo, and they have two daughters.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to join the life-changing work that CROSS has so faithfully provided over the past fifty years,” Hanson commented on his appointment. “I am thankful for the love and care that Roberta Victor poured into this role during her time as the executive director. And I am extremely excited to discover along with everyone who is a part of CROSS Outreach what the future holds!”

CROSS Outreach, formerly known as CROSS Ministries, is a Des Moines metro-based nonprofit working to prevent homelessness with compassion and keep low-income families in their homes. CROSS provides housing and utility payment and basic needs assistance to individuals.

Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, CROSS was founded as a mission of the former Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church with the support of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In 2019, the organization changed its name and incorporated as a separate nonprofit agency. The executive director position opened when Roberta Victor, Ph.D., retired on April 1 after thirty-one years with the organization.