Our team
Lead Pastor, Jeff McVay
Pastor Jeff came to Cross Community Church in November 2008. He is a pastor who longs for the church to be real. Real in expressing its love to our Creator, God! Real in its desire to learn more about its Savior, Jesus, and the culture that surrounds it! Real in its acts of service to the local community! His desire is to see the Bible proclaimed and taught in a way that the majority of people can understand and learn from.
Pastor Jeff received training at both Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville, TN) and Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA). He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries, a Master of Arts in Theology, and a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy. He was ordained in 2001 and has served as an assistant pastor at several congregations in both the United States and Ireland.
Prior to full-time ministry, Jeff served as a full-time marriage and family therapist in both Southern California and Northern Ireland. He also worked as a member of the west coast leadership team, group counselor, and worship leader for New Life Ministries’ Every Man’s Battle Conference.
Most importantly, Pastor Jeff is a husband to Lori and a dad (or “da” as they say in Ireland) to Jackson. He loves time with his family and considers them his top privilege and commitment.
Pastor Jeff came to Cross Community Church in November 2008. He is a pastor who longs for the church to be real. Real in expressing its love to our Creator, God! Real in its desire to learn more about its Savior, Jesus, and the culture that surrounds it! Real in its acts of service to the local community! His desire is to see the Bible proclaimed and taught in a way that the majority of people can understand and learn from.
Pastor Jeff received training at both Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville, TN) and Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA). He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries, a Master of Arts in Theology, and a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy. He was ordained in 2001 and has served as an assistant pastor at several congregations in both the United States and Ireland.
Prior to full-time ministry, Jeff served as a full-time marriage and family therapist in both Southern California and Northern Ireland. He also worked as a member of the west coast leadership team, group counselor, and worship leader for New Life Ministries’ Every Man’s Battle Conference.
Most importantly, Pastor Jeff is a husband to Lori and a dad (or “da” as they say in Ireland) to Jackson. He loves time with his family and considers them his top privilege and commitment.
NextGen Pastor, Kyle Fellows
Pastor Kyle joined us at Cross Community Church in August 2019. He is a pastor who enjoys ministering to teens and children, building relationships, empowering volunteers, developing leaders, and partnering with parents and families.
He believes that God has placed His Church in the world as a primary means of revelation The local church should be a place to gather, worship and learn faith. But, even more, it is to be a community with a God-given mission to be active in its love and compassion. Pastor Kyle is excited to explore new and creative ways to share the good news of Jesus and use our resources to meet needs in tangible ways to serve our community.
Pastor Kyle received training at Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL). He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Religion. He was ordained in 2016 as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has served as an associate pastor in Belleville, IL .
Pastor Kyle's wife, Morgan, and sons, Owen and Theo, live in the church parsonage.
Pastor Kyle joined us at Cross Community Church in August 2019. He is a pastor who enjoys ministering to teens and children, building relationships, empowering volunteers, developing leaders, and partnering with parents and families.
He believes that God has placed His Church in the world as a primary means of revelation The local church should be a place to gather, worship and learn faith. But, even more, it is to be a community with a God-given mission to be active in its love and compassion. Pastor Kyle is excited to explore new and creative ways to share the good news of Jesus and use our resources to meet needs in tangible ways to serve our community.
Pastor Kyle received training at Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL). He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Religion. He was ordained in 2016 as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has served as an associate pastor in Belleville, IL .
Pastor Kyle's wife, Morgan, and sons, Owen and Theo, live in the church parsonage.
Wee Care Director, Jennifer Harding
Jennifer began working at the Wee Care Center in 2004 as a Teacher Aid in the Pioneer Room. The following year, she took on the Lead Teacher role and became the Director of the Wee Care Center in 2006. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo with a Bachelors degree in Childhood Education and classes in Business Administration. Jennifer is passionate about learning new and meaningful ways to empower and equip the staff and enjoys watching children in the Wee Care thrive and grow in their environments. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to love and build relationships with her staff and families at the Wee Care. She loves being able to lead others to Jesus.
Jennifer's husband, Jeff, and three children, Conner, Cody, and Kaylee, live in the Portage area and serve in many ways at Cross Community Church in our C3Kidz Ministries and on our Tech Team. Jennifer enjoys time when she can get away from the busy schedule and spend time at the lake with her family and friends.
Jennifer began working at the Wee Care Center in 2004 as a Teacher Aid in the Pioneer Room. The following year, she took on the Lead Teacher role and became the Director of the Wee Care Center in 2006. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo with a Bachelors degree in Childhood Education and classes in Business Administration. Jennifer is passionate about learning new and meaningful ways to empower and equip the staff and enjoys watching children in the Wee Care thrive and grow in their environments. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to love and build relationships with her staff and families at the Wee Care. She loves being able to lead others to Jesus.
Jennifer's husband, Jeff, and three children, Conner, Cody, and Kaylee, live in the Portage area and serve in many ways at Cross Community Church in our C3Kidz Ministries and on our Tech Team. Jennifer enjoys time when she can get away from the busy schedule and spend time at the lake with her family and friends.
Director of Administration and Connection Ministries, Deidre Marks
Deidre began attending Cross Community Church in March 2014. She has grown in her relationship with Christ under the leadership of Pastor Jeff and the worship team at Cross Community. Deidre is passionate about connecting new people with the church, serving as a helper in ministry, and loves to provide proper resources to meet the needs of others.
Deidre holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a management concentration from Spring Arbor University. Since 2003, she has served in ministry as an Office Administrator at Owosso First Church of the Nazarene (11 years), Business Manager at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp (3 years), and Business Manager at the Michigan District Church of the Nazarene (9 years). Deidre moved into a full time role at Cross Community in June 2023.
Deidre enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring new places in her community and abroad.
Deidre began attending Cross Community Church in March 2014. She has grown in her relationship with Christ under the leadership of Pastor Jeff and the worship team at Cross Community. Deidre is passionate about connecting new people with the church, serving as a helper in ministry, and loves to provide proper resources to meet the needs of others.
Deidre holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a management concentration from Spring Arbor University. Since 2003, she has served in ministry as an Office Administrator at Owosso First Church of the Nazarene (11 years), Business Manager at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp (3 years), and Business Manager at the Michigan District Church of the Nazarene (9 years). Deidre moved into a full time role at Cross Community in June 2023.
Deidre enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring new places in her community and abroad.
LEADERSHIP team
Nazarene Missions International (NMI) President, Karla Hurt
Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) Chair, Kimber Shore
Nazarene Youth International (NYI) President, Chris Smith
Scott Williams - Church Board Secretary/Trustee
Jeff Harding - Head Trustee
Steve Lyle - Church Treasurer/Trustee
Ray Jenkins - Trustee
Lauri Wiessner - Head Steward
Laura Jennings - Steward
Matt Miller - Steward
Amy Vernier - Steward
Sharri Sackett - Steward/Wee Care Center Liaison
Jeff Harding - Head Trustee
Steve Lyle - Church Treasurer/Trustee
Ray Jenkins - Trustee
Lauri Wiessner - Head Steward
Laura Jennings - Steward
Matt Miller - Steward
Amy Vernier - Steward
Sharri Sackett - Steward/Wee Care Center Liaison