What We Believe
God
We believe in one God, the Creator of all things, who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus
We believe in Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man at the same time, who became like us to bring about our salvation. Matthew 1:20-25, 16:15-16; John 1:1-19
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is active in the world, bringing us to salvation. John 14:15-18, 16:7-15; Romans 8:1-17
Scripture
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, giving us all we need to know about how to be saved. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Sin
We believe that we are all sinners by both nature and act and need God's forgiveness and cleansing. Genesis 3; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14, 6:15-21
New Life in Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross and that, by trusting in His death, we can be restored in a right relation to God. Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:14-17
We believe that God has enabled us to turn to Him from sin but that He has not forced us to do so. Genesis 2:16-17; John 1;12; Galatians 6:7-8
We believe that each person must repent, turn away from his sins, and trust Christ to accept him. Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 17:30-31
We believe that when we turn from sin and trust in Christ the old record of sin is wiped clean, and we are born anew, thus becoming part of the family of God. Acts 13:39; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 4:4-7
We believe that after being born anew, we need the fullness of God's Spirit in our hearts. (Sanctification) When we make a complete commitment to Him, He cleanses our spirit, fills us with His perfect love, and gives us the power to live victoriously. Matthew 3:11, 22:37-40; 1John 4:17-18
The Church
We believe that the Church is the active Body of Christ in the world today. It is called together by the Holy Spirit, through the Word, for the purpose of fulfilling God's plan for the world until Christ returns. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 5:25-27
Baptism
We believe in baptism and urge people to be baptized as Christians. Matthew 26:16-20; Acts 2:37-4
Communion
We believe in the Lord's supper. Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Divine Healing
We believe God can heal. We pray for healing. We also believe that God can work through medical science. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16
The Future
We believe that Jesus is coming again. John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We believe that everyone will face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments. Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15
For a more detailed description of our "Articles of Faith," click here and you will be directed to the "Articles of Faith" page on the official site of the International Church of the Nazarene.
Meet our Staff
DAVE SHARPES
LEAD PASTOR - Email
Dave tries to be fully present in whatever place and moment he is in, whether that is watching his favorite movie, biking, traveling, sport spectating, or speaking. Dave’s heart desires for “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and to help others discover and live into their God-given potential.
Dave has been married to Carol McCollough Sharpes since 1984. Together they have Jonathan (attends Trevecca University in TN) and Hannah.
Dave has historically been a Philadelphia Eagles fan, but confesses a recent temptation to "switch birds."
ANDY MCCLURE
PASTOR - STUDENT MINISTRIES - Email
Andy's heart is to see students living in authentic community, reaching their potential, and maturing in their faith.
In 2007 Andy married his smoking hot wife, Sydnee. Syd is his biggest encourager and support. Together they have labrador, Riggins.
Andy enjoys basketball, movies, movie making, dancing, and long walks on the beach.
BRYAN STARNER
PASTOR - CREATIVE ARTS - Email
Bryan longs to see the body of Christ worshipping wholeheartedly; all the way from the Gatherings to day-to-day interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Bryan is the husband of a lovely and gifted wife, Jana, and the father of four talented and beautiful girls. Jana and the girls share in his musical gifting and can be spotted singing with him at various times.
He is originally from Lancaster, OH and claims the Buckeyes as his favorite college team. Bryan enjoys working out, hiking, and mountain biking. He is a healthy eater, but enjoys a good pizza and savory, Jana-made sweets on occasion.
CHAD JOHNSON
PASTOR - TELOS - Email
Chad recently began leading the telos ministry here at CrossRoads, which is intentionally serving and growing the college-aged through late twenties group. He has been known to instigate arguments and theological discussions, only to then leave the room. However he does not back down from the passions that God has laid on his heart, to see the hurting healed and the helpless helped.
"Chadwick", and his wife Stephanie, have a toddler son, Tyler. Chad is very excited about football and being a father. He has already begun coaching Tyler on strategies and plays. He proudly leads and represents the anti-Buckeye regime, at CrossRoads. Chad also suffers from an addiction to movies, skittles, and Mt Dew.
CURT GENTRY
PASTOR - LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & THE MERCY PROJECT - Email
Curt’s favorite Bible verse is John 10:10, which reads “The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have life, and have it to the FULL!” Curt "ain’t skeered" to live life TO THE MAX! He’s been known to do a few crazy things, jumping out of a plane being one of them!
Curt spent several years as a youth pastor before taking on his current role in the Mercy Project. He has a passion for living out the reality of scripture by raising up Godly leaders. He often quotes his friend and role model Brother Paul by saying "When you're good to others, you're always best to yourself." He is a loving husband to his wife Jan, and an encouragement to his three daughters and one son.
DANA SPAITE
PASTOR - CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES - Email
Dana Spaite joined the CrossRoads staff in 2003. She has a passion for teaching children and seeing them grow in their relationship to Christ. She has her master's degree in education, and prior to going into full-time ministry taught elementary and middle school for 16 years.
Dana is married to Dan who is her biggest encourager. They have 2 grown children, Rebecca & David. Dana loves to watch the U of A wildcats, read, walk on the beach and travel.
ED DEAN
PASTOR - COMMUNITY & ADMINISTRATION - Email
Ed is just another Buckeye (by his own definition "a worthless nut") raised outside Cincinnati. He enjoys a good bowl of Cincinnati Chili, and Kansas City BBQ on occasion. He’s been married to Vickie since 1976. Their son, Kristopher attends College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Their daughter Kelsey attends Chandler High School. Aruba is Ed’s vacation spot of choice, because it’s a great place to relax. He also finds National Parks points of interest.
Ed desires to be a part of a church that is going out and making a difference for the Kingdom by caring for and serving others. He hopes that during his time on staff, he can be a part of CrossRoads further development into just that. Ed wants his life to be one of which others will say, “He walked close to God, always trying to capture the heart of the Father.”
ERIC ELKINS DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND GROUNDS - Email
Eric, or "Double E" as he is affectionately called by his friends and coworkers, enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and exotic foods. He is a southern gentleman who believes in spending time with his family, sharing laughs with friends, and having fun in whatever he is doing. He and his wife Kimberly have two boys, Alex and Isaac. They are raising their sons to genuinely love others, and to view their world as a missions opportunity.
DR. FORREST & MARGE PERSHALL
PASTORS - COUNSELING - Email
Forrest and Marge have an inspiring story of how God brought marriage and healing to their lives. As a result of God's work in their own lives, and the healing that transpired, they are now able to help and encourage others who are experiencing difficulties in relationships and life in general. Forrest recently shared that "families and households of faith, some of the finest people, will fall for the lies and temptations of the Enemy." The Pershalls share the desire to help couples and families identify and combat the lies that Satan uses to lure and tempt us.
HEIDI SHIRLEY-HAWES
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - CREATIVE ARTS - Email
Heidi has worked for CrossRoads since 2005. She came to the office as a middle school/junior high teacher "on a break." Working at the church has enabled her to be more involved in the children's ministry, dramas/skits, go on mission trips, and support various mercy project outreaches.
Heidi hasn't figured "it" all out yet, but is seeking the truth and making her faith her own. She’s excited to see what God has planned for her future, and where in the world that leads. In the meantime, she and her husband Lorenze, reside in Gilbert.
JEREMY THOMPSON
PASTOR - STUDENT MINISTRIES - Email
Jeremy is originally from Rossville, GA, one of three boys. He met his wife Tera at Mt Vernon University. They have been married for 8 years and have two adorable sons, Caleb and Cully. He enjoys reading, watching and playing sports, running and working out, and eating whatever Tera makes.
His music repetoire includes a varety of music, including David Crowder, DMB, U2, Starfield, Victor Wooten and Bob Marley. He and the boys always have a blend of Michael Jackson, the Broadway Lion King musical, and Beyonce playing. As far as movies go, he likes the Matrix movies, the Princess Diaries and Shawshank Redemption.
Jeremy's "Holy Discontent" is a form of Christianity that doesn’t affect every aspect of our lives: people that say they are Christian, yet live like everyone else all the time. He desires God's people to live a life that is undivided in their devotion to God. In fact, that's how he would like to be known, as a man whose life was devoted to God, wholly.
JONI CASTLE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - STUDENT MINISTRIES & THE MERCY PROJECT - Email
Though Joni had always known who Jesus was, and had said He was a part of her life, her life didn’t look any different than her secular friends. One night during a youth revival she felt God tugging on her heart and tell her it was time to really make the commitment to His way of living. It was then, as a junior in high school, that Joni dedicated her life to the Lord.
As a result of her own story, Joni recognizes the teenage years to be a significant time in spiritual development. She wants to help teenagers lead a life through Christ and continue to follow Him.
JOSIAH OSLUND
PASTOR - CREATIVE ARTS - Email
Josiah enjoys being outdoors, hiking, watching movies, eating, and sleeping. He’s not a big fan of seafood, but enjoys Jimmy & Joe's, Del Taco, Chino Banditos, Mt Dew and most other consumables!
This guitar-playing fiend is a friend to all, and is living his life in a way to ensure he is remembered as a compulsive risk-taker, a loose cannon, and someone who loves Jesus with all of his heart.
JUDY NIST
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR - Email
Judy is the proud mother of three sons, Jeremy, Andy and Nick. She and her husband Randy have been married for over 23 years. Together, they support their sons in their educational pursuits, baseball and ping pong! As a family they enjoy vacationing to Hawaii, and traveling back to the Dakotas to spend time with family.
In her free time, Judy enjoys cross-stitching, reading, and talking over lunch with friends. In fact, if Judy could recommend a book to a friend, she would suggest Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury. "It serves as a good reminder that we all need to take time to remember why we are the way we are and the moments that make us who we are in Christ."
SCOTT SHEPHERD
CUSTODIAN - Email
Scott's life is a testament to the love that God has for each one of us. Scott realized his need for a Savior through a mentor and friend, Jerry Kelch. If you ask him now, he'll tell you a story of a man pursued by God to the point where God was the only thing he hadn't tried, but the one and only thing that fulfilled his needs and ended his wanderings.
A hockey and NASCAR fan, Scott also enjoys Mexican food, movies, music, and time spent with friends.
STEPHANIE HATLESTAD
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - Email
Stephanie is an ASU graduate with a Bachelors in Non-profit Organization Administration and Sociology. Her degree and her time working here at CrossRoads are evidence that her heart hurts with those who are struggling. As a result, she wants God to use her time, talents and life to help meet the needs of others.
The scripture verse that Stephanie has been focusing on recently, reflects her understanding of struggle, and how God works in and through the things that we deal with. Ecclesiastes 7:8 reads, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” This verse is a constant reminder in times of struggle that God is always in control. He always has a plan and purpose for everything we go through. We just have to be patient. "Go Devils" just doesn't sound right after all that, does it?!
STEPHANIE JOHNSON
PASTOR - CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES - Email
Stephanie has a heart for children and their families. Her passion is to see young people grow spiritually and take their relationship with God to a new level. Her husband Chad is her biggest support as they have been involved in ministry together.
Stephanie has a Master's degree in Christian Education through Northeastern Nazarene University. She, and her husband Chad, have a toddler son, Tyler. She is currently enjoying the adventures and learning experiences of motherhood. She and Chad enjoy outdoor activities, sports, relaxing, and being with friends.
WIL SPAITE
PASTOR - MEN'S MINISTRY - Email
"Pastor Wil" has a genuine passion for people to know Jesus and a good game of golf. He's dedicated his life to encouraging others to follow Jesus.
Pastor Wil has many cherished memories of his time in ministry, from the churches he has helped construct on other continents, to men he is still in contact with from youth groups he led many years ago. Currently he facilitates Men's Fraternity, a men's ministry here at CrossRoads. He also enjoys spending time with his lifetime love, Pollie. Together they have 3 grown children: Dave, Dan and Judi.
