Shawn Barnard: Senior Pastor

My Family: My wife Jennifer, and our three children, Kristen, Kevin, and Kameron

My Passion: Communicating the truth of God's word, and seeing people come to know Christ as their Savior. Casting vision: "Developing Men As Spiritual Leaders"

Interests: I love spending time with my family; anything sports related, especially Razorback football and basketball; writing, reading, playing the guitar and traveling. 

For more information about Pastor Shawn and his family, click here. You can also follow Pastor Shawn on twitter by clicking here. 

Donna Thomas: Senior Pastor Assistant

My Family: My husband, Mark, and I have been blessed with two awesome children, a sweet daughter-n-law, and two beautiful grandchildren. 

Interests: I enjoy cooking for my family, especially anything I can put on the grill. The fall is my favorite time of the year bringing cool weather, beautiful autumn leaves and football (From the Razorbacks to the Cowboys there is always a game on in our house). I love target shooting, and all kinds of music, from the 70's to the awesome music of our Crossgate Worship Team. 

Rob Young: Worship & Creative Arts Pastor

My Family: My wife, Tula; Our kids: Lance & Robyn Smith, Rachel Young & Randy Young

Interests: I enjoy leading worship as well as developing teams to lead worship and teaching on occasion. I enjoy spending time with my family, sports and golf. 

Tula Young: Worship & Creative Arts Assistant

My Family: My husband, Rob; Our kids: Lance & Robyn Smith, Rachel Young, & Randy Young (and two mini dachshunds - Bella and Dutchess)

Interests: I love being a part of creating life changing moments for Jesus Christ through Worship Services and special events and serving alongside my husband. I enjoy very much spending time with all my family and can't wait until grandkids come along! As my husband and I enter the empty nest season of life, we have brought two mini dachshunds into our home that keeps us on our toes.

Tracy Shipp: Operations Director and Missions Director

My Family: My wife Shonna, and our precious yellow cat, our son, Timothy.

Interests: I love spending time with my wife, traveling the world doing ministry together, especially in Thailand; playing golf, and I love not paying full retail price for anything!

Tanya Teddar: Business Office Assistant

My Family: My husband, Mike; and our son Dylan and our daughter Makayla.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, Traveling . . . anywhere to the mountains, Watching football (Jr. High through NFL), Huge Razorback Fans, Love shopping . . . especially for Makayla!

Patty Polczynski: Communications and Lifegroup Director

My Family: My husband, Dan, and our adopted dog, Dakota.

Interests: I enjoy being outdoors (anything water related, riding the 4-wheeler, relaxing on the front porch), otherwise I like reading, decorating, doing a few crafts, playing around with "fashion", maybe a 5K every so often, and watching "Reality TV". But mostly Dan and I LOVE hanging out with our Crossgate lifegroup (they are our lifeline!), and the JOY of our life is spending time with family -especially the grandkids!

Joel Owen: Youth Pastor

My Family: My wife Heather and our two boys, Josiah and Grayson

Interests: My passion is seeing teenagers being awakened to the glory of God and equipping them to exalt His Name and His Word in their daily lives. I'm a huge fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and fantasy football. I'm also a little obsessed with superhero action figures and collectibles! Most of all I love to spend time with my family playing and watching movies. 

Carrie Pratchard: Family Ministries Support 

My Family: My husband Richard; Kids - Karly, Scott and R.J. 

Interests: I have been on staff since 2004. Our family loves to do ministry together! Our kids help in pre-school and children's ministry and both Richard and Scott serve with our Crossgate Technical Team. I also coordinate all the weddings held at Crossgate. When I have free time, I love to read, cook, and crochet. 

Marianne Jackson: Children's Ministry Director (also Interim Director of Adventure Lodge)

Interests: I love teaching and being around children. During the week, I teach preschool age children for another church. So, I guess you can say: "When you hang around kids 6 days out of the week, you're bound to act like one." I love dreaming up creative ways to share the gospel of Jesus to our children. We use dramas, puppets, video, music and many other ways to help the children have fun and grow in their love of Jesus. I invite you, with anticipation, to come join us one Sunday and experience what God is doing in the lives of our children. 

Karen Smeltzer: AWANA Clubs Coordinator and KDO Director

My Family: My husband Jeff and our two daughters, Victoria and Leigh Ann.

Interests: I am a homeschool mom and my family and I have been part of Crossgate Church since 1996. I love crossword puzzles, camping, sewing and reading. I have helped coordinate children's activities in Brazil and Paraguay where our Church served during Missionary Conferences. I also enjoy being part of community outreaches such as Christmas for our Neighbors and Mission in Malvern. I feel there is no greater joy than investing in the spiritual lives of children and I look forward to partnering with your family in that effort.  

Donna Phillips: Director of The UnderGround

My Family: My husband David; and our daughter Stephanie and our son Ryan. 

Interests: I am a Math Teacher, and I am currently working as an Educator Consultant; which allows me to go into many different classrooms in the state of Arkansas. This experience has made clear to me the definite need for reaching as many children as we can for the Lord. The UnderGround is our Pre-Teen ministry that helps prepare our children to enter their teenage years with a greater dependence on Jesus. I was called to this ministry in October, 2009, and each week I am blessed to have the chance to be around these young people. 

Byron Lee: Media and Web Guy

My Family: My wife Julia, and our blended family; my stepsons, Paul Thurman, Kyle Thurman and our daughter Grace. 

Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, music, technology, football and all things Tennessee Vols. As leader of Crossgate Productions, I get to discover and then help tell the stories of how God is working in all of our lives. If you enjoy videography, photography, writing or audio recording, I would love to talk to you!

Sarah Castleberry: Wholly Ground Manager and Business Office Assistant

My Family: My husband J.R. and I have been married since 1971. We have two sons and two grandchildren. 

Interests: I love music, singing, spending time with my family (especially my grandkids) and playing with our two dogs, Baxley and Sadie. I love authentic people and authentic faith. I love serving others and helping to build a team that serves our church body in all types of functions. I love the power of prayer and what God is doing at Crossgate Church. I look forward to visiting with you when you visit Wholly Ground! 

Chance Packard: Facility Management

My Family: My wife Ashley and our daughter Blakeley

Interests: I enjoy fishing, hunting, power lifting and all things Arkansas Razorbacks.

Gene Jackson: Facility Management

My Family: My wife Susan and our three children, Melissa, Marianne and Eric and five grandchildren.

Interests: I enjoy working and searching / collecting antiques and other collectables. 

Ron Priest: Facility Management

My Family: My wife Billie and my six grandchildren.

Interests: I enjoy bowling, football and I follow the Arkansas Razorbacks.