Crossroads Mission Avenue, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — In an effort to shift public perception around homelessness and offer raw, unscripted moments of human connection, Crossroads Mission Avenue will host a 24-hour event called Conversations on a Bench on October 9-10, 2025, at the Hastings Mission on 702 W 14th Street.
The initiative is part of a nationwide campaign led by Citygate Network, a faith-based association of rescue missions and life-transformation ministries across North America.
For one full day, Daniel Buller, Executive Director of Crossroads Mission Avenue, will sit on a bench livestreaming one-on-one conversations with community members – ranging from local leaders and donors to former program participants and curious passersby. The bench becomes a platform for truth-telling, healing, and hope.
“Every person has a story, and every story matters,” said Buller. “This event invites people to see past stereotypes and engage with the reality of what it means to experience – and overcome – homelessness.”
The livestream will be accessible on YouTube, and the public is invited to watch, participate in person, or submit questions and prayer requests online. In addition to raising awareness, the event will also raise funds to support Crossroads Mission Avenue’s year-round programs focused on shelter, recovery, and long-term transformation.
The local effort is part of a coordinated movement, with more than 100 ministry CEOs participating in similar events across North America on October 9-10, 2025.
For more information, livestream access, or donation opportunities, visit crossroadsmission.com. To watch the livestream and submit questions in real time, join on Facebook or YouTube during the event.
About Crossroads Mission Avenue
Crossroads has been serving the homeless in Central Nebraska for over 40 years. They have grown to include campuses in Hastings, Grand Island, and Kearney, with a Lexington campus coming soon. Each location provides services that include emergency shelter, 4-Phase Recovery program, and personalized case management that helps their guests gain employment, financial independence, and stable housing.
Crossroads Mission Avenue’s mission is to bring glory to God through the helping of people. Crossroads Mission Avenue is Central Nebraska’s Rescue Mission!
The Executive Director of Crossroads Mission Avenue, Daniel Buller, is available for interviews about Crossroads Mission Avenue and the Conversations on a Bench event.
