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. 

I have been serving at Desert Cross since 2014. Helping people build faithful relationships with Jesus and with each other in community brings me great joy. It is a gift to be a leader in God's church living out faith in daily life and discovering our gifts to love and serve our neighbors.

Fun fact: I am a descendant of Curly Willoughby who was a rider for The Pony Express!

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

Wendy Williams – Church Office Administrator
480-730-8600
WWilliams@DesertCross.org

Joni Van Rossum – Director of Worship & Media Arts
480-730-8600 ext. 108
JVanRossum@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

Tessa Faust – Director of Youth Ministry
480-730-8600 ext. 114
TFaust@DesertCross.org

Denise Viker, RN – Parish Nurse
480-730-8600 ext. 122
DViker@DesertCross.org

 

Ariane Nannenga – Children's Ministry Assistant
ANannenga@DesertCross.org

Meet Our Council

The church council meets the third Monday of every month. If you have a question 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 councilpresident@desertcross.org. 

Currently serving on our Church Council:
Victoria English – President
Anna Sion – Past President
MaryBeth LaMont – Vice President
Marie Ihlefeld – Secretary
Brent Borchers – Treasurer
Mark Farrell – Member At Large, Tempe
Gail Dempsey – Member At Large, Tempe
Sue Eberle - Member At Large, Tempe
Tony Tainter – Member At Large, Gilbert
Mari Johnson – 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
Kerry Wilson – Communications
Gary Balliet – Finance & Stewardship
Joy Petroff – Outreach
Tony Tainter – Church Council Member
Mari Johnson – Church Council Member
Rosemary Schlechty – Education
Joe Weingartz – Facilities
Tracey Landa – Worship


Gilbert Chamber Minutes available here.

Join Our Team!

Job Openings

Currently, we have no job openings.