Changes have come to Crossover Ministries.

Director Todd Sasser told the Star-News Wednesday that the program format has changed and starting with the current class, clients will go through a six-month in-house program. Previously, clients went through a four-month in-house program and four-months of aftercare.

“We were noticing that in our aftercare program we were losing people,” he said. “What was happening was that the world was eating them up. They found work, money and things became more important than their walk with God. We saw this as an opportunity, and I’ve seen a very positive response.”

Sasser said by this time in the program, they have usually lost five or six people; at present, they have lost only two.

“With the six-month program, we aren’t rushed,” he said. “We have more time to pour into it. You can tell people you love them, but when you show them you love them, it makes a lasting impression.”

Another change, Sasser said, is that they have moved all the female clients back to Opp.

In April 2013, it was announced that Crossover had merged with Norma’s Nest to provide better aftercare for women dealing with addiction.

“We were not seeing a big increase in income by being in Andalusia,” he said. “It was costing us so much to have both facilities. We were fixing to be in a bind. We made some cuts. Two months ago, our budget was between $36,000 and $37,000 a month. We were able to cut our staff by a third. We cut our vehicles by three and eliminated the light bill, phone bill, etc.”

Sasser said they were trying to be better stewards of their money.

“We are still in hopes that when it’s God’s timing, we can do something with that facility,” he said.

Sasser said they have increased the number of women from seven to nine to 10 to 12.

“We know if we lose six women, then we will still have six who graduate,” he said.

Sasser said there are currently 18 men going through the six-month program, and 16 who are in the last aftercare class.

Sasser said with the cuts it costs around $33,000 a month to run the operations, and that help from agencies such as United Fund is a “huge help.”

“We depend completely on God to do this ministry,” he said. “We are funded through different churches and individuals, and not funded through the government. These donations buy food and pay the light bill. We have six vehicles that run constantly. It buys gas. Without the people who care, we would not be able to do what we do.”

Since Crossover’s first class in 2005, Sasser said they have served around 1,500 clients.

“That is 1,500 more who had the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel,” he said.

Crossover is among the agenies funded by United Fund. Contributions can be mailed to United Fund, P.O. Box 1791, Andalusia, AL 36420.