Staff Directory

• Where did you grow up? Belleville, MI
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? Found on Willow Creek Association website; recommended by neighbor. And believe in the mission to turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Christ.
• Favorite book(s)? Randy Alcorn: Money, Possessions & Eternity, Heaven; Richard Foster: Celebration of Disciplines, Streams of Living Water, Freedom of Simplicity
• What’s on your iPod? Podcast… Money Life from Crown Financial Ministries
• Favorite vacation spot? Wyndham Resorts
• Favorite food(s)? Mid-Eastern / Lebanese
• Favorite pastime(s)? Long Distant biking… www.pactour.com
• Favorite movie quote? Princess Bride “As you wish”
• Favorite TV show? 24, Survivor.
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)?   Michigan State University – 1997 Executive MBA; Ashland Theological Seminar – 2005 MA – Spiritual Formation
• Who’s your hero? Interesting that most heroes are make believe… real people disappoint when you see them clearly enough.  We are all flawed… all except the real person, Jesus Christ.  The closer we see Him, the more perfect He is!
• What is one unique fact about you? Biked from San Diego to Charleston in 3 weeks in 1996

• Where did you grow up? Mansfield
• How did you become a part of Crossroads?  Michelle and I launched Crossroads as a church plant after Seminary in 1996.
• Favorite book(s)? The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton
• What’s on your iPod? The three “J’s”: John Denver, James Taylor & Jimmy Buffett
• Favorite vacation spot? Laguna Beach, CA
• Favorite food(s)? Smoked Catfish
• Favorite pastime(s)? Playing with my kids, Bowhunting
• Favorite movie quote? (Jaws) “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”
• Favorite TV show? Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? University of Southern California Archery Team
• Who’s your hero?  Martin Luther
• What is one unique fact about you? I play the bagpipes
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? West Bank of Israel

• Where did you grow up? Ashland, Ohio
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? We were invited by Bill Hill and Dan Fleming
• Favorite book(s)? ESV Study Bible, Dangerous Surrender- by Kay Warren, Imagine That by Manuel Luz, Gifted To Lead by Nancy Beach and Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie
• What’s on your iPod? Our kid’s bands, Andrea Borcelli, Toby Mac, Chris Tomlin, Sarah Brightman, Salvador
• Favorite vacation spot? Cruise Ship
• Favorite food(s)? Italian, Asian, Gyros, Steak, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes – everything not picky!
• Favorite pastime(s)? Filling our home with family and friends
• Favorite movie quote? "Make My Day"
• Favorite TV show? Extreme Makeover (anything HGTV)
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Crew
• Who’s your hero? My parents for following Christ consistently my entire life!
• What is one unique fact about you? I’m a big chicken!  Completely controllable by being afraid I’ll get in trouble for something.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Scotland to find the castle that is rumored to be somewhere in my family history.

• Where did you grow up? Southside of Mansfield
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? We were invited by Bill Hill!
• Favorite book(s)? Purpose Driven Life, Dangerous Surrender, The Hole in our Gospel
• What’s on your iPod? James Taylor, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Eagles, Beach Boys, Jeremy Camp, Sing for Company, The Gun Show
• Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere with my wife!
• Favorite food(s)? Italian, Asian, Mexican, Greek… basically everything!
• Favorite pastime(s)? Camping with our kids at Christian music festivals
• Favorite movie quote? "A man’s got to know his limitations"
• Favorite TV show? Discovery Channel
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? OSU football, Cleveland Cavaliers (could this be the season?)
• Who’s your hero? My Grandfather
• What is one unique fact about you? Rode from Texas to Ohio on a bicycle
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia           

• Where did you grow up? Born in Ashland, I grew up and went to school in Mansfield.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads?  My parent have good friends who invited me to check out the church.  The music and contemporary atmosphere is what I’d grown to love in the church that I attended in Alabama and was desperate to find again in Mansfield.
• Favorite book(s)?  I love reading a good, thick 400 page novel by Jonathan Kellerman or James Patterson.
• What’s on your iPod?  I don’t have one; the radio works well for me and it’s usually blasting when I clean.
• Favorite vacation spot?  Sweet home Alabama, Gulf shores, that is.
• Favorite food(s)?  Mongolian, Chinese  
• Favorite pastime(s)?  I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends - laughter is a MUST!
• Favorite movie quote?  “Holy electro-magnetic footprint finder, Batman.”
• Favorite TV show?  “Lie to Me”
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)?  I like going to a Super Bowl party at someone’s house and rooting for the losing team.  I don’t even know how to play the game, or who the teams are, but everybody looks at you like you’re nuts!
• Who’s your hero?  Definitely my mom!
• What is one unique fact about you?  I like to have fun and I love to laugh.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Maybe Paris…

· Where did you grow up?  My father was in the Air Force, so I grew up in New Mexico, Germany, Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio.

· How did you become a part of Crossroads? My wife made me come for a service.  I started to put on my suit and she said I could wear shorts and a polo shirt.  Coffee, donut holes and a great message on marriage had me returning every weekend after that!

· Favorite book(s)? The Magic of Thinking Big

· What's on your iPod? The Cranberries, The Prodigals, Styx, Neil Young

· Favorite vacation spot? My backyard

· Favorite food(s)? Pizza, Leaning Tower Sub

· Favorite pastime(s)? Swimming, hanging out with friends, watching a great TV series

· Favorite movie quote? "Everybody remember where we parked!"  Star Trek IV and "Two corpses, everything's fine."  Clue   

· Favorite TV show? 24, Friday Night Lights

· Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Any pro team in Cleveland, Any college team at OSU

· Who's your hero?  Jesus, He was everything a hero should be...
                    Also, Mr. Schwantes, my fourth and fifth grade teacher.  He taught me to be a good person.

· What is one unique fact about you? I grew up in Alaska.

· If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Hawaii and Australia

• Where did you grow up?  Butler
• How did you become a part of Crossroads?  We lived in Florida and kept hearing about this new church that was soon to start.  When we moved back to Ohio in August 1996, we decided to check Crossroads out.  It only took one visit and we’ve been here ever since!
• Favorite book(s)?  All kinds of mystery books!  I love to read!
• What’s on your iPod?  What iPod? 
• Favorite vacation spot?  Anywhere HOT!  Especially if it’s on a Cruise Ship!
• Favorite food(s)?  Anything BBQ or Cajun
• Favorite pastime(s)?  Reading while sitting in the sun
• Favorite movie quote?  That would require me to remember them! 
• Favorite TV show?  I don’t watch much tv but if I do, it would be: NCIS, CSI, or Royal Pains.
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)?  UC Bearcats, just because Chelsea goes there!
• Who’s your hero?  My son says he’s my hero…he does have a good sense of humor.
• What is one unique fact about you?  Beats me…
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  On a Cruise Around the World.

• Where did you grow up? Petersburg, Virginia and Georgetown, Ohio
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? My first visit to Crossroads was on my birthday 2000. I started serving as a small group leader and was later elected to the Elder Board. I began serving on staff in January of 2007.
• Favorite book(s)? The Bible (specifically the ESV Study Bible); The Frontiersmen by Alan Eckert; Animal Farm by George Orwell; Team of Rivals by Doris Kerns Goodwin; The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
• What’s on your iPod? Beethoven, Boston, Bluetree. Plus lots of podcasts of sermons by Al Mohler, Ravi Zacharias, John MacArthur, Matt Chandler and of course….Tim Armstrong!
• Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere where there is sun, a beach, a book to read and most importantly a place where I can just be with my wife, Jean.
• Favorite food(s)? I love all food. But if you made me choose…sushi and steak (rare, please).
• Favorite pastime(s)? Reading and being outside doing anything!
• Favorite movie quote? I have two… 1. “I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is…” -Forrest Gump;    2. “The thing about a shark is he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, he doesn't even seem to be livin'. 'Til he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then..." - Quint, "Jaws"
• Favorite TV show? Shark Week, Myth Busters, Dirty Jobs, Fox News, Criminal Minds and The Mentalist.
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)?  The Ohio State Buckeyes (football and basketball); The Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.
• Who’s your hero? I’d have to say Jesus, hands down. I also have to give a shout out to my parents.
• What is one unique fact about you? People always ask me where I got my name. It’s a family name that has been passed down from generations past, but mostly as last or middle name. I’m the first in my family to have “Deering” as a first name.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Holy Land.

• Where did you grow up? Good old Mansfield, Ohio and then Bozeman, Montana for 11 years.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? A friend thought I’d like it and the rest is history.
• Favorite book(s)? The Shack
• What’s on your iPod? Nothing, don’t have one.   
• Favorite vacation spot? Marathon, Florida
• Favorite food(s)? Pizza
• Favorite pastime(s)? Reading in the sun, genealogy, certain histories and computers
• Favorite movie quote? Can’t think of one, don’t watch many movies.
• Favorite TV show? The History Channel
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Ohio State
• Who’s your hero? God and my sons
• What is one unique fact about you? I am very dependable
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Holy Lands

• Where did you grow up? Wadsworth, OH and then Shelby, OH
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? My son, Andrew had visited with a friend in 1997 when Crossroads was at the Ontario High School. He was 12 at the time, ran in the front door and said that I had to see this church. The rest is history and great memories!
• Favorite book(s)? Anything my granddaughters like me to read to them; Breaking Free by Beth Moore; Penelope stories with McKenna, Isabelle and Jack
• What’s on your iPod? Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Big Daddy Weave, James Taylor, Michael McDonald, Chicago, Bread, Michael W. Smith, Light Jazz mix, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Avalon, Natalie Grant, Dave Koz, Sugarland
• Favorite vacation spot? Lake Erie, although I’d love to travel to Italy.
• Favorite food(s)? Mashed Potatoes
• Favorite pastime(s)? Spending time with family, grandbabies and good friends; spending time at Lake Erie; walking.
• Favorite movie quote? “Yes you will, Mr. President”.
• Favorite TV show? Law & Order SVU, Flip This House, Judge Judy.
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Football: The Ohio State University and Cleveland Browns (I just can't help myself).
• Who’s your hero? I don't necessarily have a hero - rather- a few good peole that I trust, that are good examples, and positive influences and then Mamaw and Papaw who loved God, talked to me about God and prayed for me.
• What is one unique fact about you? I was named after Julie London, one of my Dad’s fav singers...back in the day. He would dance with me to her LPs.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to spend more time in Israel.

• Where did you grow up? Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio  
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? Interviewed for the worship leader position (part-time) as the church was launching
• Favorite book(s)? Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren)
• What’s on your iPod? Don’t have one
• Favorite vacation spot? Vero Beach, Florida
• Favorite food(s)? Pizza, Chinese
• Favorite pastime(s)? Sports  (Cavs, Browns, Indians (NOT)
• Favorite movie quote? “You be good out there among the English” (The Witness)
• Favorite TV show? Don’t have one
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? BROWNS
• Who’s your hero? Billy Graham
• What is one unique fact about you? Have perfect pitch (sometimes)
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Alaska

• Where did you grow up? I teach Jr. High, was I supposed to be grown up for that? If you mean where did I go to school when I was a kid, Ontario.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? I began attending because my dad came here and we would meet here then do lunch after wards. I got involved because I became friends with Jeanette Chase ~ enough said.
• Favorite book(s)? The Bible, of course. Also really liked The Shack & Crazy Love
• What’s on your iPod? Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, 80’s bands
• Favorite vacation spot? Idk, anywhere outdoors with my family.
• Favorite food(s)? Salads and Chinese food
• Favorite pastime(s)? Hiking, going to the movies, watching the kids play sports
• Favorite movie quote? That’s why they call them crushes, if they were easy they'd call 'em something else. 16 Candles
• Favorite TV show? I get hooked on American Idol every year. Survivor
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? I don’t care J
• Who’s your hero? Jesse Rider of course!
• What is one unique fact about you? I can still do the splits but it’s not pretty.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Greece, Italy, Israel

• Where did you grow up? Hinckley, Ohio…yes home of the Buzzards
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? After our son was born, my husband and I made a commitment to return to church. We attended church sporadically, but never really committed. Our wonderful neighbors/friends attended Crossroads faithfully as a family. Watching them live their faith “out loud” made us curious about their church. After getting to know them better, we decided to attend. We had never experienced anything like it and couldn’t wait to return the next week.
• Favorite book(s)? Uhhh that would involve reading, right?
• What’s on your iPod? Pachelbel, AC/DC and everything in between
• Favorite vacation spot? New York City!
• Favorite food(s)? Prime Rib medium rare, baked potato with extra butter and sour cream, and steamed broccoli
• Favorite pastime(s)? Pizza and board game night with my hubby and kids
• Favorite movie quote? "The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds and that's what you've given me."-The Notebook
• Favorite TV show? Pretty much any reality TV show, Lost, and of course the best show ever produced Seinfeld!
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? I say without shame……Cleveland Browns
• Who’s your hero? David- brave beyond comprehension and forever faithful
• What is one unique fact about you? I cannot drink milk if somebody else pours it.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Tuscany, Italy

• Where did you grow up? Born in Detroit, Michigan....I was 10 years old when we moved to Mansfield, Ohio when my dad transferred with GM.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads?  I wasn't attending any particular church at the time and had heard about Crossroads.  The first time I visited, the message directly pertained to what I was going through in my life at the time, and knew this was where I was supposed to be.   
• Favorite book(s)? Do magazines count?  Love to read, but don't have a lot of time to do so.....I'm not Wonder Woman, but God Made me Wonderful! by Sheila Walsh is great.
• What's on your iPod? Casting Crowns, Country, and the good ole' 80s.
• Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere with a nice sandy beach, blue water, and hot, sunny  weather!
• Favorite food(s)? Salads, homemade broccoli cheese soup.
• Favorite pastime(s)?  Anything outdoors, watching my kids play sports, okay....and shopping!
• Favorite movie quote? So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her? She rescues him right back----Pretty Woman.
• Favorite TV show?  Love to watch Discovery Health; 19 and Counting, Cake Boss, Little People Big World....basically anything on the TLC channel!
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Buckeyes and Cavaliers
• Who's your hero?  My grandparents; they definitely lived their faith "out loud" no matter what the circumstances, and are the reason I am a Christian today.
• What is one unique fact about you? Hmmmm.....I am a bit of a perfectionist; and a germaphobic!
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Anywhere warm and sunny with my family!

• Where did you grow up?  Lucas, Ohio!
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? My friend Luke brought me here my Junior year of High School.
• Favorite book(s)? The Bible
• What’s on your iPod? I don’t have an ipod….
• Favorite vacation spot? San Diego
• Favorite food(s)? El Campestre
• Favorite pastime(s)? Soccer and Video Games
• Favorite movie quote? What is this a center for ants? – Derek Zoolander from Zoolander
• Favorite TV show? Psych and Americas Got Talent
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? The Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers, Manchester City and Columbus Crew
• Who’s your hero? My Dad.
• What is one unique fact about you? I put orange juice on my cereal instead of milk.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Anywhere except Antarctica.

• Where did you grow up? I was born & raised right here in the fun center of Ohio. Mansfield.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? We did not attend any church prior to Crossroads. Finally decided that material things, drinking and partying was not filling the emptiness in our hearts.
• Favorite book(s)? Lee Iaccoca’s bio. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy. The Whole In The Gospel.
• What’s on your iPod? I do not own an I-pod.
• Favorite vacation spot? Ocean Isle North Carolina
• Favorite food(s)? Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and noodles.
• Favorite pastime(s)? Watching my grandchildren grow & explore new things. Camping.
• Favorite movie quote? “Make my day”, Somebody stop me”, and P-A-R-T-Y? Because I gotta”
• Favorite TV show? Weather Channel—Sports—News
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Ohio State Football--- CLEVELAND BROWNS
• Who’s your hero? My dad.
• What is one unique fact about you? For my size, I am a big teddy bear.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Back to Israel.

• Where did you grow up? I haven’t yet.
• How did you become a part of Crossroads? Lisa and I came to the original services in the ontario middle school that has since been torn down. I played bass on the team. Then for work reasons we moved to Columbus for 4 years. Crossroads was one of the deciding factors in moving back from Columbus to Mansfield.
• Favorite book(s)? Animal Farm, The Jesus I Never New, Unshakable Foundations
• What’s on your iPod? I’m not a technology buff, it consumes to much time and attention away from the reality and people that are right in front of us. If I had an i-pod it would be Captain and Tenille.
• Favorite vacation spot? Any gulf coast beach or good size mountain with my house as a very close second.
• Favorite food(s)? Anything I love to cook and to try new things
• Favorite pastime(s)? Gardening
• Favorite movie quote? "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"
• Favorite TV show? News
• Favorite pro/college sports team(s)? Steelers
• Who’s your hero? My Parents
• What is one unique fact about you? I am not unique and quit calling me names
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy