CRISTA Ministries Achieves 8-Point Engagement Lift Through Unified Vision

Organization Overview

Client: CRISTA Ministries
Industry: Non-Profit
Company Size: 1000+ Employees

What Drove the Success

CRISTA Ministries is a broad, multifaceted organization encompassing multiple ministries under one umbrella. Historically, this complexity made it challenging to create alignment and a unified employee experience.

Beginning in 2024, the organization set out to change that.

1. A Unifying Vision: ONE CRISTA

Leadership introduced a clear, organization-wide goal: becoming ONE CRISTA.This intentional focus created a sense of unity across ministries, removing silos and helping employees recognize how their individual work contributes to shared goals. This “leveling of the playing field” built a sense of collective purpose that had been difficult to achieve in the past.

2. Refreshed Mission & Vision That Resonates

CRISTA revisited and refreshed its mission and vision statements—moving from corporate speak to language that truly reflects why employees choose to be part of the organization. This clarity helped employees better understand:

  • The organization’s purpose
  • How each ministry contributes
  • Why their work matters

The new mission and vision became an anchor for communication, decision-making, and engagement.

3. Honoring 75 Years of History

In 2024, CRISTA celebrated its 75th anniversary. The organization took time to walk employees through its origin story, creating meaningful opportunities for teams to connect past to present. This reflection built pride, resilience, and a shared identity—strengthening how employees show up in their work today.

4. Leadership Rooted in Faith and Care

CRISTA’s leadership culture emphasizes faith, service, and care for employees. The organization regularly prays for staff, seeks guidance in stewarding resources, and focuses on providing a strong employment experience. Leaders are trained and equipped with skills, but also encouraged to lead with faith—creating a uniquely supportive environment.

Summary of Results 

In just one year, CRISTA Ministries saw significant improvements in employee engagement and sentiment across their diverse, multi-ministry organization. With a renewed focus on unity, purpose, and mission alignment, they achieved:

  • 88% survey participation
  • 8-point increase in overall favorability
  • 8-point increase in employee engagement
    • In People Element’s top quartile of engagement

These outcomes reflect a culture strengthened by clarity, connection, and a shared commitment to the organization’s purpose.

People Element’s Role

CRISTA partnered with People Element to turn feedback into meaningful action.

The flexibility and depth of the People Element platform allowed CRISTA to:

  • Slice and segment engagement data across ministries, departments, and demographics
  • Pinpoint specific pain points within their complex structure
  • Identify clear opportunities for improvement
  • Track progress over time

This level of insight ensured that each ministry—and the organization as a whole—could act on data in a way that aligns with the ONE CRISTA mission.

Conclusion

CRISTA Ministries’ success is a powerful example of what can happen when an organization unifies around a shared purpose and uses employee feedback as a strategic guide. With clear mission alignment, strong cultural leadership, and actionable insights from People Element, CRISTA continues to strengthen engagement and build a thriving experience for every employee across its ministries.

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