Staff
We are blessed to have amazing leadership at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church!
Meet our Staff
I can’t remember a time that God and the church was not a part of my life. I would be considered a “cradle Lutheran”. My father was a Lutheran pastor for over 35 years. I grew up in Iowa, living in parsonages, and the church being a major part of our life together as a family. I remember as a young child, playing in my dad’s office, and going on communion calls and hospital visits with him. I attended Wartburg College, in Waverly Iowa, majoring in political science and psychology. In 1998, I graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. I served churches in Waverly, IA and Frederika, IA and then accepted a call as associate pastor to Cross of Christ in 2006. I was then called as Lead Pastor in 2018. Colorado has been a wonderful place to raise our family and the congregation has been a blessing to us. I love working the families of the church and to be able to share God’s word with even the littlest of our members. I oversee Stewardship, Long Range Planning, and Finance. I also oversee and work closely with the staff on Faith Formation and Worship. I am married to Tim, who is a Middle School ELL teacher. We have two boys, Brune who is 21 years old and Kaden who is 18 years old. Outside of church I keep busy and enjoy playing in a community band, coaching track, learning German, and crocheting prayer clothes and prayer blankets.
My heart for ministry started before I can remember, and I have always known my life would somehow be connected to it. I am from Minnesota, and I love the lakes, but ventured a few states away for college, where I attended Concordia University in Seward, NE and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. My adventures continued as I spent my final semester of college studying abroad in India. In 1999, I traveled for one year throughout the US, India, and Nepal with a group of young adults serving churches through musical and relational ministry. I have spent the last 20 years serving the church in various ways in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. I graduated from Luther Seminary in 2021 with a Master of Divinity degree through a new program called MDivX. Prior to attending seminary, I worked with children and families in ministry at Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder. My seminary internship blessed me with two great years at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and walk with the people of Cross of Christ.
My husband, three sons, golden retriever, and I live in Broomfield. We enjoy making memories and building traditions together as a family by skiing, hiking, camping, and traveling.
I was born and raised in Perrysburg, Ohio where I attended Zoar Lutheran Church with my family. I moved to Colorado after graduating with a B.F.A. in Visual Arts and English at Albion College, Michigan. I earned my K-12 teaching certification from Colorado State University. While teaching middle school art and reading in the Firestone area, I completed my Masters in Literacy. After ten years, I left the public school system to pursue private tutoring, free-lance writing and my own artwork. During this time, my family joined Cross of Christ and my son began attending the church’s preschool. Inspired by the wonderful preschool staff, I completed my preschool certification, thinking I would return to teaching. However, the Director of Children’s Ministry position opened and I was honored to be chosen.
Teaching is my passion and to have the opportunity to walk alongside children as they learn about God’s love and grace is an incredible blessing.
My name is Jessica Wanecek and I am so happy to be able to get to call Christ of Christ my work home. I am a native of Colorado, growing up in the Westminster area. I have been married to my husband, Mike for 23 years and we have two amazing kids. Our son Cameron is 21 and is attending CSU and our daughter Emma is a Junior at Mead High School.
I try to find the funny in everything I do and put a smile on someone’s face. Faith and family are the most important things in my life. When I am not working or goofing around, you can find me spending time with the family or friends in the mountains, doing something crafty, or decorating for some season or Holiday!
I have a background in all things events/party planning as well as an Activity Director for assisted living facilities. I have many years of experience in Office Administration and I enjoy getting to know everyone at Cross of Christ.
I was born and raised in the Twin Cities (MN) area where I attended Christ Lutheran Church with my family. I earned my BA in Business Administration/Accounting at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN before moving to Colorado in 1997. I spent many years working as an auditor at a public accounting firm in Denver and eventually in administration at a local Denver restaurant company. I was also a stay at home mom for 10 years. My husband, Jason, and I moved to Broomfield in 2007 and found Cross of Christ shortly thereafter. We were looking for a welcoming faith community with strong children’s programs to get involved in with our three kids. Between the preschool, Sunday School and youth programs, we feel we have hit the jackpot here! I took over as the Financial Secretary of the church in February 2016. This position has been such a blessing to me and I have really enjoyed working with such a wonderful group of people.
I was born in New York and lived on Long Island until I was 9, when my family moved to Colorado. I’ve had a passion for working with children for as long as I can remember, from working in my church nursery and VBS to being immersed in the field of early childhood education for the last 18 years. I have had the privilege of working with young children from birth through age 6, and what I love most is watching children learn, grow, and change as they develop trusting relationships with their caregivers.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I found Cross of Christ Preschool and Kindergarten in the spring of 2009. It has been a blessing and a joy to work as the Assistant Director for the last eight years, and I am looking forward to leading a team of amazing early childhood professionals as I step into my new role as the Preschool Director.
My husband Jay is a high school music teacher in the Adams 12 school district and we have two daughters, who are 7 and 9 years old. As I continue my lifelong journey of growing in my faith, family, and career, I am constantly reminded that I am blessed beyond measure.