Join Our Team!

Job Openings

🌟 Calling all Youth Ministry Rockstars! 🌟
Ready to dive into a role where you can inspire and empower the next generation?

Desert Cross Lutheran Church needs a Director of Youth & Family Ministries to join our awesome staff!

For the FULL Job Description, click here!

About Us:

We're all about celebrating Christ's presence, inviting folks into a deeper relationship with Jesus, and getting our hands dirty in service to our world.

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept:

  • Be the cool adult that youth and families can't get enough of
  • Cook up awesome programs and trips that make faith come alive
  • Help our young leaders shine bright
  • Dive into all things churchy and fun with us

What You Bring to the Table:

  • A big heart full of faith and love
  • Some experience in youth and family ministry (bonus points for creativity!)
  • A knack for connecting with all kinds of people
  • Team spirit and killer communication skills

Perks:

  • Part-time hours that fit your life
  • Room to grow and learn with us
  • A community that's more like family

Sound like your jam? Shoot us your resume and a friendly hello at info@desertcross.org. Let's make some magic together! 🎉

Apply Now!
Meet Our Senior Pastor
Rev. Andrea Cain

The light of my life is faith and family. I love cooking meals with my family and enjoy hiking, biking, and historical fiction.

I graduated with a B.A. in Organizational Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and earned a Master of Divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Desert Cross called me in 2014, and I have served as Senior Pastor since 2018. Helping people build faithful relationships with Jesus and with each other in community is one of my passions. It gives me joy to be a leader in living out faith in daily life and discovering our gifts to love and serve our neighbors.

Fun fact: I met Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay on two occasions: at a perfume counter at the mall and at Starbucks!

Meet Our Associate Pastor
Rev. Thaddeus Book

I joined Desert Cross as Associate Pastor in January of 2021. I come from a family of farmers in Northern Illinois. I graduated from Valparaiso University in 2005 and then enrolled at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio where I received my Master of Divinity in 2009. My first call was as Associate Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio for five years, and then I served at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania for six years. My wife, Laura, and I have two children, Lincoln and Everett.

I root for the Green Bay Packers in the winter and the Chicago Cubs in the summer.  I like to read novels, listen to podcasts, and hike with my family in my spare time. I am passionate about creating community in the midst of an ever-fragmented culture.

Fun fact: Thanks to my fifth-grade music teacher, I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order in about 15 seconds.

 

 

Meet Our Team

Doug Bjotvedt - Director of Operations & Property
480-730-8600 ext. 103
dbjotvedt@desertcross.org

Marie Maiorana - Office Manager
480-730-8600
mmaiorana@desertcross.org

Daniel Decker - Director of Worship & Music Ministries
480-730-8600 ext. 108
ddecker@desertcross.org

Shannon Fossett - Director of Children's Ministries
480-730-8600 ext. 115
sfossett@desertcross.org

Denise McClellan - Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
480-730-8600 ext. 116
dmcclellan@desertcross.org

Joni Van Rossum - Director of Media Production
jvanrossum@desertcross.org

Denise Viker, RN - Parish Nurse
480-730-8600 ext. 122
dviker@desertcross.org


Natalie Smith - Children's Ministry Assistant
nsmith@desertcross.org

Meet Our Council

The church council meets the third Monday of every month. If you have a question or concern and you are unable to speak with one of the representatives in person or over the phone, you can contact the council via email at council@desertcross.org. 

Currently serving on our Church Council:
Angela Nannenga - President
Anna Sion - Vice President
Tom Rewolinski - Past President
Haley Brinkmann Perez - Secretary
Brent Borchers - Treasurer
Adam Clark - Member At Large, Tempe
Carolyn Perkins - Member At Large, Gilbert
Adam Pfau - Member At Large, Gilbert


Monthly Church Council Reports are available here.

Meet Our Chamber

The Gilbert chamber meets the second Tuesday of every month. If you have a question or concern, please contact one of the representatives.

Currently serving on our Chamber:
Dana Hargis - Hospitality
Leslie DeMarco - Communications
Glen Gabrielson - Finance & Stewardship
Carolyn Perkins - Church Council Member
Adam Pfau - Church Council Member
Rosemary Schlechty - Education
Joe Weingartz - Facilities
Tracey Landa  - Worship


Gilbert Chamber Minutes available here.