Matthew Kirkland
LEAD PASTOR
Pastor Matthew began his ministry at Crosslink in June of 2016. He and his wife Heather have been married since June of 2003 and they have four awesome kids – competitive Mack, thoughtful Gracie, easy-going Manny, and joyful Laine. They are excited to be a part of the Crosslink community, believing that God has promised “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,” (Haggai 2:9). Previously Matthew served for thirteen years as senior pastor of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Christiansburg, VA where God brought tremendous growth. Matthew has a strong passion for discipleship, missions, and worship. His vision is to see Crosslink become a church that engages and impacts the community and the nations for the glory of God. He loves spending time with family, meeting new people, participating in sports and cheering on his Crimson Tide as they continually win national championships in football. You can reach Pastor Matthew at mkirkland@crosslinkva.com.
Michael Miller
EXECUTIVE PASTOR
Pastor Michael celebrates being on staff since November of 2012. He and his wife, Kristin have been married since July of 2010. They have four beautiful blessings: their daughter and oldest Makaylah, followed by three sons, Aidan, Liam, and Dillon. Michael is originally from Ft Lauderdale, Florida, but before coming to the Valley, spent twelve years in Lynchburg, first as a student at Liberty University where he earned his Bachelor's in Biblical Studies and Psychology and a Master's degree in Religious Education from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He served on staff at LU for seven years as a Campus Pastor and Associate Director in the Office of Student Leadership at Liberty. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is known around the church as a C.S. Lewis fan evidenced by the lion and Narnia collection in his office. Pastor Michael strives to “strategically serve Jesus” in all areas of his ministry and leadership here at Crosslink. You can reach Pastor Michael at mmiller@crosslinkva.com.
Terry Ross
OPERATIONS PASTOR
Pastor Terry came on staff at Crosslink in October of 2010. He grew up in Lizella, GA, and is a 2005 graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education. Terry enjoys spending time with his wife, Danielle, who is the love of his life, second only to Jesus Christ, and his two children, CJ and Sierra. He enjoys Atlanta Braves baseball, Georgia Bulldogs football, video games, computers, and the Sci-Fi Channel. He loves counseling and teaching and is currently an online Adjunct Professor at Liberty University. Terry’s greatest desire in life is to glorify God by leading others to follow Jesus Christ. You can reach Pastor Terry at tross@crosslinkva.com.
Scott Brown
WORSHIP PASTOR
Pastor Scott joined the Crosslink staff in November of 2011. He grew up in London, Ontario, Canada, and moved to the US to pursue his Masters Degree in Worship Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, where he met his wife Lindsey. Scott and Lindsey have three awesome kids - Sammy, Theo, and Rory. Scott has a desire to develop a culture of worship in his life, his team, and our entire church. He has a passion for leading worship and has been serving in church and touring music ministries for 20 years. He is also a published songwriter and is passionate about writing songs for our church here at Crosslink! Scott enjoys many Canadian pastimes such as: playing hockey, saying “eh,” and eating Canadian bacon. You can reach Pastor Scott at sbrown@crosslinkva.com.
Marty Terrell
STUDENT MINISTRIES PASTOR
Pastor Marty came on staff at Crosslink in May of 2014. He grew up in Richmond, VA, and has been married way outside his league to his wife Dawn since May of 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts from Columbia International University, and a Ph.D in Christian Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Marty and Dawn are blessed with three amazing kids in sophisticated Karlee, fun-loving Isaac, and Josiah the entertainer. Marty enjoys playing most any sport, chugging Mountain Dew, and jamming to ‘80s tunes, but he’s most passionate about equipping the next generation to know Christ and making Him known. You can reach Pastor Marty at mterrell@crosslinkva.com.
Chris Smith
Fishersville Community Church
LEAD CHURCH PLANTING PASTOR
Chris joined the Crosslink staff in July 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Radford University, a Master of Education from Virginia Tech, and a Master of Arts from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chris, his wife Mandi, and their two children have been at Crosslink since 2012 and have served in various ministry areas. Most recently, Chris served as the Pastor of Family Ministries and Crosslink Kids. Chris enjoys sports, hiking/biking trails and rivers in the region with his family, and coaching baseball. After serving as a children’s camp director for nearly 20 years, Chris submitted to God’s call to full-time ministry several years ago and is now excited to serve the Lord through his position at Fishersville Community Church and implement his passion for introducing people to the true and living God, ministering to the families in the Fishersville area, and sharing Jesus through local and international missions.
Josh Minnick
CREATIVE ARTS PASTOR
Pastor Josh has been on staff at Crosslink since January of 2021. Growing up in Harrisonburg he married his high school sweetheart Mandy. He attended Liberty University for his undergraduate and continued on to earn a Masters of Arts in Religion specializing in Discipleship Ministries from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. While in seminary Pastor Josh help plant River Church in Madison Heights, VA where he served in various roles but most recently Executive Pastor. Josh is passionate about building teams, using technology to further the Gospel, and helping people take steps of faith in their walk with Christ.
Rob Spencer
Church Multiplication Pastor
Pastor Rob began his ministry at Crosslink in 2022. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry for over 20 years, serving over half of that time here in the Shenandoah Valley. In 2010, Pastor Rob joined the pastoral team of our mother church, Calvary Baptist Church in Staunton, before being launched in 2013 to serve as the planter and Lead Pastor at our sister church, Church United. At the beginning of 2022, Church United merged with Crosslink, and Pastor Rob is now serving to further our vision to "Impact the Valley and Bless the Nations” with the Gospel of Jesus through church planting and church health initiatives. Because of his heart to see healthy churches, he is also pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry focused on church leadership through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Pastor Rob and his wife, Kelley, were married in December of 2001 and have been blessed with three wonderful children: Ella, Jack, and Levi. The heartbeat of Pastor Rob is to inspire others to live a life of radical commitment to Jesus Christ and advance the Kingdom of God here in the Valley and beyond!
Mark Simpson
Discipleship Pastor
Mark has been happily married to his wife Holly for 29 years, and they have two children; Mackenzie (22) and Ethan (16). Mark and his family live in Waynesboro, VA, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. He has been in pastoral ministry for three decades, serving in various churches and roles. Mark has been a youth pastor, family pastor, worship pastor, teaching pastor, executive pastor, and senior pastor in churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Mark loves pastoral ministry and is an opportunity to encourage and equip people in their faith journey.
Mark attended Word of Life Bible Institute (diploma - Bible), Moody Bible Institute (B. A. Pastoral Studies, B. A. Communications/Electronic Media), Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (M. A. R. & M.Div. Theology, ThM. Church History), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (DMin. Revival and Reform) and Columbia International University (PhD. Systematic Theology, IP).
Mark serves as a Field Shepherd for a ministry called Standing Stone Ministry, serving as a pastor to pastors and providing shepherding and encouragement for pastors in need.
In his free time, Mark enjoys trying new things, reading, spending time with family, distance running, strength training, and playing bass guitar.
Sandy Smith
Executive Ministry Assistant
Sandy joined the Crosslink office staff in February 2020 and comes with many years of administrative ministry experience. Sandy and her husband, Tim, have been married for 40 years and enjoy spending time with their four married children and 10 grandchildren, Spyder Rides, and continual home renovations.
Kelly Hancock
MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Financial Manager & Pastoral Secretary
Kelly joined the Crosslink office staff in January of 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science from The College of William & Mary and a Master of Arts in Global Studies online through Liberty University. Kelly and her husband, Adam, enjoy traveling the world, being outdoors, and spending quality time with their family and friends.
Ben Fulton
MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Content Specialist and Logistics Manager
Ben joined the Crosslink office staff in March of 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University. Ben and his wife Bridget have been married since 2018 and have a daughter. They enjoy spending time with family and friends as well as watching movies, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Christina Catt
MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Office Coordinator & Receptionist
Christina joined the Crosslink office staff in January of 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater College. Christina and her husband, Dennis, have been married since 2003. They have two sons, Malachi and Isaiah. Christina enjoys baking, spending time with family, reading, decorating, being creative, and warm weather. You can reach Christina at ccatt@crosslinkva.com.
Adam Fithian
Crosslink Kids Director
Adam joined the Crosslink team in June of 2022. He recently married Karli, whom he loves to spend time cooking and watching movies with. Adam graduated from the College at Southeastern with a BA in Theology with hopes to continue his education through seminary. He enjoys watching football, spending time outside, and doing any and everything with his wife. He desires to grow during this internship and be used by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a light to those that he comes in contact with in whatever circumstances may be opened. You can reach Adam at afithian@crosslinkva.com.
Savannah Gwartney
Crosslink Kids Ministry Assistant
Savannah joined the Crosslink team in September of 2023. Originally from Michigan, Savannah moved to Virginia in 2019 to attend Liberty University. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Youth Ministry. Savannah and her husband, Chandler, got married in June of 2023 and moved to Harrisonburg. She loves reading, coffee, and going on adventures with her friends and family in her free time. Savannah is so excited to serve the children and families at Crosslink!
Lisa Vance
Crosslink Kids Ministry Assistant
I moved to Harrisonburg in June of 2023 and got married to my husband John in July of 2023. I have two Bonus children Gary and Madison. I have been attending Crosslink since 2021. I love spending time with my family and friends. I have a heart for Children, before coming to the Valley I worked as a preschool teacher for 16 years. In my spare time, you can find me reading, crafting, listening to music, and spending time with my loved ones. I am excited to help serve the children and families at Crosslink.
