Christine Simon

Director Crossing Kids

Christine became a Christian through Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Missouri. After she graduated with a degree in Journalism, she married Keith and started working in campus ministry. They have four children who keep them very busy.

Christine has worked part-time at The Crossing since 2002, first as Early Childhood Director and now as the Crossing Kids Director. In this role, she oversees all that happens with Infants through 5th graders. Her passion is for children to love to learn about Jesus in creative ways.

Abby McClelland

Elementary Director

A native of Columbia, Abby began attending The Crossing shortly after graduating from Central Methodist University in 2006. She spent 9 years as an Elementary teacher. Shortly after earning her Master of Arts in Education Administration, she began to coordinate childcare for special events at The Crossing. During that time, Abby found that she truly enjoys administrative tasks and helping the sitters and kids enjoy their time together. Abby joined the Crossing Kids team in 2015 where she oversees the programming, volunteers, and interns for the Elementary ministry, and also coordinates Night Crossing for Kids. 

Kayla Fischer

Early Childhood Director

Kayla started volunteering in Crossing Kids as a high school student while living in Ashland, Missouri. After high school, she attended the University of Missouri and became an Elementary intern, which is where her desire to see children build a strong foundation for their faith began. Kayla joined Crossing Kids staff team full-time in 2021 as the Early Childhood Director. Her favorite part about working in Crossing Kids is being able to form individual relationships with both the kids and their families. Kayla oversees the programming, volunteers, and interns for Early Childhood, along with coordinating Seeds of Promise.

Kristin Jeffries

Creative Arts Co-Director

Kristin was born and raised in Columbia. She began attending The Crossing as a high school student and became involved with the preschool and elementary large group teams while studying theatre at Stephens College. Through many years of serving in Crossing Kids, including three years as an intern, it became clear that Kristin had a heart for children’s ministry. After marrying her husband, Dustin, in May of 2014, she left the world of theatre and dance to join the Crossing Kids team full-time in January of 2015.

As the Early Childhood Programming Director, Kristin oversees the preschool and little ones’ teaching and worship teams, assists with family events, and creates early childhood curriculum. She loves leading worship and being involved in family events. 

Claire Novak

Creative Arts Co-Director

Claire has attended The Crossing since 2003 and has served in Crossing Kids using her theatrical skills in several areas. She loves using her creative theatre degree to work with family events and as the Elementary Programming Director where she oversees the large group time and worship bands that rock out with the Kindergarten- 5thgraders.

Megann Fleming

Agape Director for Crossing Kids

Megann joined the Crossing Kids staff team full-time in 2021 after volunteering in several different areas of the ministry since 2012. Megann graduated from Mizzou in 2016 with a Bachelor of Health Science, and in 2018 with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Megann oversees the Agape ministry for Crossing Kids, but works closely with other teams around the church to help ensure inclusion and accessibility for all individuals throughout the spaces and places they encounter during their time at the Crossing. Megann’s favorite aspect of her role at the Crossing is getting the opportunity to help make space for individuals and families of children with disabilities to rest and know they are cared for and welcomed at The Crossing.

Carissa Havens

Family Events

Attending The Crossing since 2005, Carissa and her husband, Nick, have served in a variety of ministries, and have been hugely blessed by the ministry of Crossing Kids in the lives of their 3 young children.  Carissa is excited to use her background in events and her newfound understanding of children to help families grow in their love of Jesus and each other through celebrations and family events.

Candace Stoll

Family Events Coordinator

Candace was raised in Springfield, MO and moved to Columbia in 2003 to attend the University of Missouri, where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Development. Candace has been attending The Crossing since 2005 and, after serving in Crossing Kids, quickly developed a deep love and passion for helping children know and love Jesus. She interned for Crossing Kids and joined the CK staff team in 2009. Candace met her husband of 10 years at The Crossing and stepped away from her role in 2015 to become a full time mom to their three children. After 8 years away, Candace returned to Crossing Kids as the Family Events Coordinator. 

In her role, Candace oversees all Crossing Kids events to create an opportunity for families to gather together to worship, be encouraged, learn, and grow in their faith. Her favorite part of her job is watching families come together and equipping families with the tools they need to develop a deeper, lifetime relationship with Jesus.

Leah Wahlquist

CK Marketing & Social Media Assistant

Leah started attending The Crossing in 2017 after she moved to Columbia to study business at Mizzou. She discovered her love for kids when she began serving as an Early Childhood Intern for CK in 2020 and developed meaningful relationships with many Crossing families. Leah joined Crossing Kids staff team full-time upon graduating and oversees all aspects of their social media and marketing efforts. She loves that she is able to use digital platforms to share the Gospel with people all over the world and help families know and love Jesus! In her free time, Leah enjoys traveling, hiking, attending concerts, reading, and playing with her dog Indie.

Amanda Harms

CK Graphic Designer

Amanda grew up in the Columbia area and graduated from Harrisburg High School before earning her degree in Psychology from Columbia College. Some years later, she returned to school to complete a degree in Graphic Design. In 2022, Amanda began working with Crossing Kids. She now creates graphics and illustrations for events, YouTube videos, lessons, and anything else that comes up.

She loves helping the team create engaging content to get kids excited about their walk with Jesus. She has three kids and enjoys travel, baking, reading, and studying God's Word.

Shelby Sappington

CK Video Production Assistant

Shelby has attended The Crossing since 2017 and has served in Crossing Kids in many different ways. After graduating high school in 2021, she started as a summer intern for Crossing Kids, where she produced and edited video content. In this role, she discovered a passion for using different types of media to teach children about Jesus. Now, as Video Production Assistant, Shelby helps create videos for Crossing Kid's YouTube channel.