Staff

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Jason Waymire

Lead Pastor and Elder

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Being the lead pastor and an elder at Cross Community is one of the great joys of my life. I grew up in this church and I am so thankful for all of the godly men and women who have invested in me over the years and taught me what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. My desire is to see our community transformed as God’s Church gathers each week to celebrate God’s goodness and then scatters to share that message with others. I have been blessed with a wonderful, godly wife and three great kids. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, watching college football, and being outdoors.

I earned a Bachelor of Science at Oklahoma State University and an MDIV at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Laurie
Thomas

Administrator and Director of Adult Ministry

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I have the awesome privilege of serving here at Cross Community Church as an administrator and Director of Adult Ministry. There is not a day that goes by that I am not amazed that I get to serve the church that I love. We began attending Cross Community in 2001 and I came on staff in 2008. The two greatest loves of my life are my incredible husband, Joel, and my wonderful son, Jake. I enjoy hanging out with my family, camping, hiking, kayaking, 4-wheeling and target shooting. I am passionate about believers in Jesus living in community and connecting in authentic relationships that lead to spiritual transformation and teaching them to become fully devoted disciples.

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Matt Duke

Campus Pastor - Pocola and Elder

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My family and I came to Cross Community Church in 2011. We came in search of a church that felt like family. In September of 2012 I had the honor of becoming the campus pastor at the first of Cross Community Church's church plants. My wife and I both grew up in rural Oklahoma and have always had a desire to reach out to the people in Pocola.

My desire is to see Jesus change people's lives in a real way. We started a home group for children several years ago and have seen God change entire families as a result. I am the non-seminary guy. I'm a Registered Nurse by education. Half of my life has been helping people at their best times, birth of a baby, and worst times, death of a loved one.

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Brandon Lopez

Service Production Director

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I serve at the Poteau and Pocola Campus as our service producer. Basically, I oversee our streaming process, worship ministry, and help create fun and engaging sermon series.

Apart from ministry, I'm a husband and father, both of which have been the hardest, but most rewarding journeys I have been on. I like to participate in sports like running, cycling, and hiking. I am learning about gardening, which is challenging but worth the effort. I graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelors degree in Music Education and I hope to someday continue my education and pursue a Masters of Theology or a Masters of Divinity. I believe I should always be learning and bettering myself.

Carl Lynch

First Impressions and Facilities Director

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It is a blessing for me to serve as First Impressions and Facilities Director at Cross Community Church. It gives me great joy to minister with volunteers and workers who serve the church by giving their time and giftedness. Some of my favorite things in life are my family, time in the shop, and spending time outdoors. I have an amazing wife, Amber, and two wonderful children, Kaleigh and Colin. I graduated kindergarten in 1985, Pansy Kidd in 1993, and Poteau High School in 1997.

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Julie Bridges

Children's Minister - Poteau Campus

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As a 1st grade teacher for 15 years I taught academics, but now I have the privilege of teaching a wider age range of children their value through the eyes of Christ, about the goodness of their Savior, leading them to become disciples, and how to live out their calling on mission in our community.

I am married to my wonderful husband, Chad and we have two sons and three dogs. We live on a small farm and raise cattle. Some things I love to do are baking and exercising. Spending time with my family and friends is also something I very much enjoy.

I am so excited to be a part of this ministry and sharing Jesus with our children and those surrounding them.

Caleb and Haley Hobday

Worship Leaders - Poteau Campus

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I(Caleb) have been a part of Cross Community Church since I was a young child. After serving at a few different churches when I was in college, Haley and I ended up at the Pocola campus of Cross Community leading worship together. The church has been a large part of our journey together so far. We got engaged, married, and had our daughter, Zoey, all with the love and support of the church family. We have been serving at the Pocola campus since 2015, and we love the leadership, community and values that Cross Community Church believes in. I(Caleb) also oversee the volunteers that take care of our Pocola facility, the coffee bar, and building maintenance. Aside from the church, Haley works at The Center for Professional Psychology and I work for Josh Snyder and teach music lessons. We enjoy traveling and spending time with our daughter, Zoey. We continue to look forward to the things God will do in our communities through the church body.

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Wayne Hoffman

Elder

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My family moved to Bokoshe in 1961 from central Texas. I graduated from Spiro HS in 1970, from the University of Oklahoma in 1975 with a BBA in business, worked in various financial sectors, part owner and operator in three nursing facilities until 2002. I'm currently involved in health care, funeral home, and ranching. I have six children all living in the state of Oklahoma, with 15 grandchildren(actually 14--but we still count the one that is now with the Lord knowing that we will see him One Day). I have been an active members of Cross Community Church for the past, almost, 32 years.

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Craig Marquardt

Elder

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I moved a couple times as a child and ended up in Tulsa by the time I was 10. I went to Jenks High School and then graduated from Oklahoma State University with a forestry degree. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home but began to be influenced by Christians while at OSU and was saved when I was 21. Annette and I married in 1983. We have two grown daughters and one son-in-law, Claire Marquardt and Elyse and Zac Dillard. Several important men in my life discipled me over the years teaching me how to be a follower of Christ and a Christian husband, father, and forester.

Jerry Waymire

Elder Emeritus

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I became a Christian at the age of 11. I am married to Terry Waymire and we have been married 45 years. We have two grown children, Jason Waymire and Janissa Jackson and 5 grandchildren. We have been members of Cross Community (formerly Immanuel Baptist Church) since 1984 and live in Poteau, Oklahoma. I have been practicing pharmacy for 40 years. My wife and I have been on many mission trips and served many different ways in our church. I like spending time with my family and fishing.

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Claire Mitchell

Office Manager

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Hi y’all!

My name is Claire & I have the privilege of serving our church in the office and coordinating missions opportunities. I’m the gal answering the phone & greeting the people that stop by throughout the week!

I grew up in the little town of Wister in a wonderful family. I was raised in a Christian home & accepted Christ at an early age, but really began following Christ the summer after I graduated from high school.

I worked at a Christian family guest ranch in Colorado during that summer and my life changed forever. The folks on staff talked about Jesus and Scripture in a way I had never heard before. More importantly, they didn’t just talk about it, they lived it and I wanted what they had. Through His people, God began to show me the abundant life to be found in doing life WITH Him and not just FOR Him.

I went to Oklahoma State and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelors of Animal Science. GO POKES! Following that, the Lord allowed me to travel internationally and do mission work for about a year. I have been back in Leflore County since 2016.

In my free time you can find me feeding cows, baking pie, playing with plants, or dreaming of traveling. It is a joy to be on staff at Cross Community & I love serving our church and community.

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Jasen Thomas

Student Minister - Pocola Campus

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I have been attending Cross Community Church since early 2015 and before becoming a member I longed for community and to be invested in. Cross Community Church was the family I was seeking. I consider it a blessing to serve as the Student Minister at our Pocola campus and my prayer is for all of our students to not only pursue a deeper understanding of the Gospel, but also a deeper relationship with our Savior. I have the privilege of walking with them through that process and being an open ear for any who would need it.

Outside of ministry I work full time at Shelter Insurance. I met my wife Emily through Cross Community and I am so blessed to have her by my side. When I’m not working I enjoy playing disc golf and spending time with my mini Aussie, Strider. I earned my Associate’s degree in criminal justice from Carl Albert State College and went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. I am excited about the future of this church and look forward to seeing God at work!

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Payton Jones

Children's Minister - Pocola Campus

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My family and I began attending Cross Community - Pocola in 2017. Very soon thereafter, I started in CrossKids as a volunteer. Now as of November 2022, I am honored to be leading the children's ministry at our Pocola campus! This church has seen us through most of the major moments in our lives. My husband Aaron and I were married there in 2017, 2 of our children were dedicated to the Lord there as infants, and I was even baptized there in 2020. We have found family in the members of our church and that has been one of the most rewarding and priceless gifts the Lord has ever given us. Outside the church, I am a wife and mother of 3. I enjoy traveling, shopping, and spending time with my family. I graduated in 2016 from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in Allied Health then worked in a few medical clinics until my son was born and we decided I would stay home with my children.

I am so excited to see these kiddos grow in their faith as we strive to lead them to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ!

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Gary Jordan

Elder

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I am from Mustang, OK and was blessed to be raised in a home that fostered a love for Jesus. I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 8 years old.

I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors of Zoology and a Pharm D. and practice as a pharmacist. Boomer Sooner. My wife and I have been happily married since 2000 and we have the privilege of raising 3 great kids.

We began attending Cross Community in 2013 where I have enjoyed being involved with both kids and adult ministries. My heart is to see our church produce Godly men, women and children who have the desire to serve our community, state and world and to lead others in the same manner.

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Joey Bottoms

Student Minister - Poteau Campus

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I am the Student Pastor at Cross Community Church Immanuel Campus. I married my beautiful wife Cassidy in 2013 and we are blessed with three wonderful children Brinleigh, Braylon and Breezy. I was saved when I was 24 years old and I have been serving the Lord since that day. Being a servant of God is a privilege and I get it do it at an awesome church with awesome people. My family and I joined Cross Community Church in October 2022 and an opportunity to join the staff arose just a few months later in May 2023. I enjoy spending time with my family, disc golf and hiking. I am committed to Cross’ mission of making fully devoted followers of Christ. I am excited to see God at work in this community and excited to be apart of it.

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Nathan Jager

Associate Pastor

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I joined the team in May of 2023. My biggest desire is to see people take their next right step for Jesus. Seeing people go from hopeless to hopeful, (all because of the power of the gospel) makes serving the Lord worth it!

I have an amazing wife named Lauren, who loves the Lord, loves me, loves her kids, and loves a good corny joke. You can usually find her out in our garden growing something unique and creative.

My 4 kids bring so much joy and happiness in multiple ways. I have 3 boys and 1 girl. But don’t be fooled, the girl runs the house!

I enjoy traveling, sports of all kinds, and I’m a HUGE Texas Rangers fan.