Crossroad Church Staff

  Pastor Mike Evans

When He Started as Pastor at Crossroad Church: December 1995.  Background Vitals:  Native Iowan.  Graduated from Newton High School in 1983.  Attended Luther College in Decorah -- played football, threw the javelin, and found a great woman to marry...in that order. Graduated in 1987 with majors in Biology and Religion. Graduated from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. in 1992 with an M. Div. (Masters of Divinity). Ministry Influences: While in seminary, attended Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis for four years, where Dr. John Piper serves as senior pastor.  Involved in both a ministry internship and served on staff during these crucial formative years.  This is the place where theology (the study of God) became doxology (praise to God) for Mike. What he's reading now:   "Nothing Like it in the World:  The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad", by Stephen Ambrose, "Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor", "The Soul Winner" by C. H. Spurgeon, "The Pleasures of God" (again) by John Piper, John Calvin's "Institutes, Volume II", "Evangelicalism Divided" by Iain Murray, This Old House Magazine, World Magazine, National Geographic. Favorite Pastors/Preachers Dead or Alive:  Alive:  John Piper, R. C. Sproul, Colin Smith, C.J. Mahaney.   Dead:  Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield, J.C. Ryle.  Family Ties: Married to Karla since 1986.  Five children (Luke, Benjamin, Elisabeth, Gabriella and Jared). What He Loves: God, his wife and children, preaching the Word of God, those who make up Crossroad Church, the Biblical doctrines of sovereign grace, Stam’s chocolates (especially the dark Italian Cherry Cream!). Hobbies/Interests:  Nature photography, remodeling his 114-year-old house, going on regular walks with his wife Karla, working out, playing piano, dulcimer, guitar and the accordion, and backpacking with his sons.

To learn more about what Pastor Mike believes, see his ordination paper (PDF).  Contact Pastor Mike

   Above:  The Evans family:  Mike and Karla, Luke, Benjamin, Elisabeth, Gabrielle and Jared

Below:  Pastor Mike, with sons Luke (left) and Benjamin atop an 11,000 foot peak in the Big Horn mountains of
Wyoming on a recent backpacking trip.

Lynne Hoeksema

The Basics on Lynne Hoeksema

What She Does:  Since October 2001, Lynne Hoeksema has served as the part-time administrative assistant for Crossroad Church.  Family Life:  Lynne lives with her retired husband, Dale Gilbaugh, and her two Boston terriers, Zoie and Holly, on an acreage near Earlham.  They have been a part of Crossroad Church for more than 10 years.  Origins:  From Pella, Iowa.  Education and Work Experience:  Lynne has a degree in statistics from Iowa State University and an MBA from Drake University.  She spent more than 20 years in “corporate America” before deciding to semi-retire with Dale.  As If She Didn't Already Have Enough To Do:  She also works part-time at Raccoon River Kennels in West Des Moines.  Hobbies: Music, golf and gardening.  A Favorite Scripture Verse:  Psalm 9:10, “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." English Standard Version

Contact Lynne Hoeksema