Leadership

For many reasons Cathy and I enjoy worshipping at Crossroads which has been our church home for the last few years.  I am honoured to be able to fill the position of Acting Lead Minister Supply until you call a full time ordained minister to your church.

I was worshipping in a United Church while still in my mother’s womb. That was the denomination of my birth and though as a teen I made the journey with other friends through other denominations, camps, and assorted youth groups I stayed within my roots. While I was at university, I had different plans for my life I felt a call to ministry (confirmed by many people I knew and mystical experience). I was ordained in Hamilton Conference in 1982. Through 40 plus years I have served churches in Newfoundland and Labrador, Toronto, Duncan and finally Ladner BC.

During that time, I served 26 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserve which included a 9-month deployment in Afghanistan in 2008 and two domestic deployments. Retiring from the military in 2017 I was made a member of the Order of Military Merit. Entering my “fourth quarter” of life  I worked as a first responder chaplain, have been a member of the Ladner Business Association and am on the Board of Directors of the Delta Hospital Auxiliary.

I met the love of my life Cathy Bone while in seminary.  We have been married for 43 years and are actively involved with our children and grandchildren. My partner Cathy is also a veteran and was in paid accountable ministry as a children and youth ministry.  She finished her work career as Director of the Chalmers Institute at VST. 

I am an eclectic person with training and experience in many areas.  I have an interest and training in trauma and moral injury, and my passion is to help people understand their journey from a spiritual perspective. I love preaching and telling stories – making connections between the Word and the daily lives we lead. My priority has always been people, helping people and in community connecting with one another and loving God, ourselves, our neighbours, and the world.

Together and with my leadership we will go through this time of transition, we will continue to thrive, to minister to our family and the larger community using your recent work on your mission.  We will wait with prayer and patience for the person that God calls and you discern to be your next lead minister.

Musician. Singer. Songwriter. Bruce is passionate about lifting up the gifts of instrumentalists and singers of all ages in our community. He is excited about helping Crossroads to be a place of Spirit and healing for the North Delta and Surrey community. Bruce generally refuses dessert but does enjoy some really good dark chocolate (fair-trade, of course!)

A church musician for 30 years and multi-instrumentalist, Bruce brings a wealth of giftedness, training and experience to the ministry of music at Crossroads United Church. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in the development of hymn tune repertoire in The United Church of Canada. Bruce is a past co-chair and current member of the executive of Music United: The United Church of Canada Association of Musicians, and was the managing editor for More Voices. Please visit his website at evensong.ca for more information about his ministry.

Carson began the part-time role of Children’s Ministry Coordinator in the fall of 2023 after three summers working at Crossroads United Church. He brings a calm, warm, and curious presence to his relationships with our youngest members. He is currently studying at Simon Fraser University, preparing to become a high school social studies teacher. (Did you know that Carson can identify more than 100 flags of the world’s nations?) Carson enjoys playing and watching sports, as well as listening to music.

Koinonia “Nią” Bentayen
Youth Ministry Coordinator

Nia joined Crossroads’ staff in the fall of 2023 as our new Youth Ministry Coordinator. Nia’s background in youth ministry includes many years of working in Pacific Mountain Region’s Camp Spirit, offering leadership at youth retreats and attending youth events as a participant herself.

Nia explores her spirituality in many ways including being in nature, through art, and connecting with people. She brings a grounded, compassionate, and joyful presence to our ministry with youth. When not working, she enjoys reading fantasy and adventure novels and finding new dessert places.

Gillian McNutt
Office Administrator

Gillian was pleased to join Crossroads’ staff in October, 2021 as the Office Administrator. She has a background in office management, and is a warm and welcoming presence. She warmly welcomes Crossroads people to the church, as well as offering hospitality to the community. She enjoys her nieces and nephews, but her cat “Sailor” and dog “Rio” are her fur babies. Little known fact: Gillian spent three winters living in Mexico selling diamonds!

Heather Burdett
Bookkeeper

Crossroads was thrilled to welcome Heather to the staff team in April, 2017 as our part-time bookkeeper. These days you can find her in the office on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings, working her magic to make the numbers all line up. Heather is also an avid baker who can’t eat her own products because of her gluten free diet. (Built-in generosity!)

Patrick Myers
Custodian

Patrick has been a member of Crossroads since 2012, and joined the staff early in 2024 as our Custodian. He recently retired from a social services role and has come full circle to a cleaning job, which he did in his teens at the University of Alberta Hospital. This role gives him a reason to get out and about, a little exercise, and has been a source of joy for Patrick as he deepens his relationship with the congregation.