STAFF
Joel Schutte, Pastor
We are pleased to have Pastor Joel Schutte (pronounced “Scuddy”) as our new Pastor. Pastor Joel was officially appointed to Church of the Cross on May 15, 2019. Joel is an ordained clergy from a different denomination and a licensed, local pastor with the United Methodist Church. Joel was previously Senior Vice President of Ministry Development for the Cherry Street Missions organization, where he was head of the Men’s and Women’s Residential Ministry and the new 7 day per week Community Café. Joel has a Master’s Degree in Theology and is currently enrolled in a graduate equivalency program, which is a prerequisite for a Doctorate of Ministry in Spiritual Formation. He says he loves to preach and teach, and is also a musician. Joel and his wife, Aprille, have 2 biological children and 5 adopted children who were first their foster children. They once lived in a townhouse across from COTC. In good weather Joel may be seen riding his motorcycle to work.
Lisa G, Administrative Assistant
Lisa comes to COTC with almost 30 years of administrative office experience and has an associate's degree from Stautzenberger College. She is a life-long United Methodist and has served in three churches as Secretary and Treasurer. She is married to Jim and they have two children and two granddaughters. Lisa is the youngest of six children and loves her big family. Lisa is also a Independent Mary Kay Beauty consultant. She is excited to serve God through the ministry here at COTC.
Kristin M., Family Ministry Director
Kristin graduated from The University of Toledo in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught for a couple of years, and then was led into ministry through the role of Children’s Ministry Director. She was on staff at Maumee United Methodist Church for 8 years and Delta UMC for 1 year. She has a passion for Children and Family Ministry …introducing children to Christ, providing avenues to deepen the faiths’ of our children, helping our children to see God as approachable, being a support for our children and their families, teaching our children to serve others in the name of Jesus, and empowering servant leaders and our church family to come alongside of our children! Kristin has been married to her husband Jay since April of 2005. They have three children Joey, Hannah and Gabe. They enjoy various family activities together and time with extended family and friends.
Mark S., Choir & Ensemble Director
From a very early age Mark loved music and showed a love for singing. He often sang short solos at the elementary school music concerts. In junior high and high school Mark sang in choir and played saxophone in the band. He also sang in show choir in high school. During his junior year in high school, he had his first taste of musical theater when he joined a theater group that toured “Hello Dolly” to six different venues.
Mark earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Music, the latter being in vocal performance. He studied conducting with Dr. Ivan Trusler. During his master’s work he met his future wife Carole Grabill. While they were dating, Mark won an opera internship at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Due to circumstances, he reluctantly turned down teaching assistantships there, and later at the Ohio State University, to earn his Doctorate Degree in Vocal Pedagogy.
Over the years Mark has been involved with music in a myriad of ways, including singing with the Toledo Opera Chorus, writing and directing dinner theater, and serving as the paid tenor soloist and section leader at St. Michael’s In The Hills Episcopal Church in Ottawa Hills for over ten years. One of Mark’s fondest accomplishments has been starting a church choir in Grand Rapids, Ohio, that grew to outnumber the congregants in the sanctuary when they sang.
Mark earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Music, the latter being in vocal performance. He studied conducting with Dr. Ivan Trusler. During his master’s work he met his future wife Carole Grabill. While they were dating, Mark won an opera internship at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Due to circumstances, he reluctantly turned down teaching assistantships there, and later at the Ohio State University, to earn his Doctorate Degree in Vocal Pedagogy.
Over the years Mark has been involved with music in a myriad of ways, including singing with the Toledo Opera Chorus, writing and directing dinner theater, and serving as the paid tenor soloist and section leader at St. Michael’s In The Hills Episcopal Church in Ottawa Hills for over ten years. One of Mark’s fondest accomplishments has been starting a church choir in Grand Rapids, Ohio, that grew to outnumber the congregants in the sanctuary when they sang.
Aaron K., Bell Choir Director
Aaron is originally from Missouri but moved to the Toledo area in 1996 to play double bass with the Toledo Symphony. He really enjoys playing with the symphony as well as working in the symphony office and teaching private music lessons. Aaron received a Music Education Degree from The Wichita State University and a Master's Degree in Double Bass Performance from the University of Indiana.
Aaron has had the opportunity to perform with several orchestras including the Wichita Symphony, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, and the Lakeside Symphony. He has also been fortunate enough to have had such great jobs as performing at Disney World in Orlando, Florida and playing bass for five months on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea. His wife, Michelle, is a flutist and currently teaches music at Monclova Christian Academy. They are also enjoying and very proud of their beautiful young daughter, Kaelee. Church of the Cross is grateful to have Aaron join our staff team, and grateful for the gifts he brings to our music ministry.
Charles B., Keyboardist
Charles has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, which is his hometown. After teaching several years in the Lima City School District, he received his Master of Music Degree from Bowling Green State University. Upon leaving Lima, Charles came to Toledo to pursue a possible career in Business with Musical Resourses, the choral music outlet store. After two years, he returned to teaching at Maumee Valley Country Day School where he has taught vocal music for eighteen years. Charles also became the organist at Zion United Methodist Church, where he played for twenty years. He has also accompanied the Perrysburg Chorale, Sing Out Toledo, and several soloists and ensembles at District One Adjudicated Events.
Yvette S., Praise Team Coordinator
Ministry Background Yvette has worked in music Ministry since she was 17 years old. She grew up in Pentecostalism but in the last few years has ministered in mostly liturgical churches.
She is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.
Yvette has been a Music Director and Worship Leader for more than 30 years. Yvette follows the musical ministries of: Chris Tomlin, Kim Walker-Smith, William McDowell, Darlene Zschech, Phil Wickham, Bethel, Hillsong, and Jeremy Camp, just to name a few.
Yvette’s desire is to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and to walk in her purpose of serving the Body of Christ through Music Ministry.
Yvette is also an Ordained/Licensed minister in the C.O.G.I.C (Church of God in Christ).
Yvette says that her greatest blessing is to be the mother of one handsome son, two beautiful daughters, one amazing daughter-in-law, one handsome sons-in-law, and 12 grandchildren.
She is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.
Yvette has been a Music Director and Worship Leader for more than 30 years. Yvette follows the musical ministries of: Chris Tomlin, Kim Walker-Smith, William McDowell, Darlene Zschech, Phil Wickham, Bethel, Hillsong, and Jeremy Camp, just to name a few.
Yvette’s desire is to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and to walk in her purpose of serving the Body of Christ through Music Ministry.
Yvette is also an Ordained/Licensed minister in the C.O.G.I.C (Church of God in Christ).
Yvette says that her greatest blessing is to be the mother of one handsome son, two beautiful daughters, one amazing daughter-in-law, one handsome sons-in-law, and 12 grandchildren.
Lisa W., Creative Arts Coordinator
Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit and compassionate heart has encouraged her desire to help others and work creatively in ministry. After 25 years in the corporate world, Lisa went into the healing arts field and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for the last 20 years. While in the corporate world, Lisa worked creatively as a graphic designer, creating print materials for a Fortune 500 Company and developing executive-level presentations. She has two grown children, a son and a daughter, and two grandchildren. Lisa enjoys reading, writing, and anything outdoors including gardening, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and relaxing by a campfire. Lisa looks forward with an open heart to new ways that God will use her to glorify His kingdom and bring His people closer to Him.
Chris A., Tech Manager
“I attended Bowling Green State University, obtaining my undergraduate degree in Visual Communication and Technology and my master’s degree in Career and Technology Education. During college, I worked in many areas across campus in student and faculty technology assistance, as well as in broadcast live television with BCSN. After college I transitioned into the business world where I held positions of director of technology, training director and continuous improvement leader for a manufacturing company. Most recently I was services director/project manager for an IT services company located in Maumee. I am passionate about using technology to solve problems and have been enjoying helping Church of the Cross improve upon its service delivery with online streaming services as well as improving their technology infrastructure. My wife Kelly and I have two children, Henry who is 6 and ½ and Harper who is 5 and live in Springfield Twp. It is great to be here at COTC!”