One Head, Jesus Christ

Underneath the leadership of Jesus Christ are men and women appointed and anointed to lead Crossroads. These pastors, elders and staff and ministry leaders have chosen to serve by leading. This page will give you a brief introduction to those people and provide contact information for your use. Who Is A Leader?

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

Staff

Phil & Sondra Markwardt

The lure of excitement and adventure on the last frontier drew Pastor Phil from his comfortable home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to volunteer one summer at Victory Bible Camp. He fell in love with Alaska (and Sondra, his wife) and decided to make it his home. After a career with the Forest Service, he answered the Lord’s call to full-time pastoral ministry, earned a Master’s of Divinity at Multnomah in Portland, and then returned to Alaska as associate pastor at Lazy Mountain Bible Church. Pastor Phil has lead Crossroads since the beginning. He and Sondra have four grown children.

Sondra grew up in bush Alaska in a village on the Yukon River. Sondra graduated from Multnomah Bible College, married Phil in 1976 and raised four "world changers". She now works on staff as a pastor teaching, preaching, and training while maintaining a passion to see people being healed emotionally and empowering people to grow in spiritual power, character and identity. Sondra loves the Word of God, the unfathomable-ness of grace, the depth of the mystery and wonder of God, the beauty of Jesus and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Dennis & Brenda Hotchkiss

A native of Palmer, Pastor Dennis left a career in Mat-Su Borough Assessments to join the Crossroads staff soon after the church was “born” in 1995. He and his wife, Brenda, have been very active in marriage counseling, Life TEAMS, and hospitality. Pastor Dennis oversees Worship, Life TEAMs, Counseling, Prayer, and Men’s ministries at Crossroads. He and Brenda have two daughters and two sons and three grandsons.

Dennis has a true gift of imparting the Father's heart, stirring revival and drawing together different parts of the body to live in community for Jesus. A trailblazer, forerunner, father and husband, Dennis' fresh teaching has drawn many into a loving relationship with Jesus.

Mike & Darlene Heath

Mike joined our team in August of 2006. He is our Administrative Pastor providing oversight to our personnel, operations and finances. He and his wife are long time residents of Alaska relocating to the Valley where Mike came to know the Lord at Crossroads.

Paul & Holly Steiner

Pastor Paul joined the staff as Youth Pastor in 2000. These days he serves as Associate Pastor assisting with Body Life. When not working with the church Paul is working to raise five incredible children with his wife.

Aaron and Carla Chud

Aaron and Carla are gifted pastors behind the scenes and from the platform. Together they are raising the standard for Christian living among our communities' teens while praying for a complete revival in the middle and high schools.

Marla Rowland

After being raised in Indian villages of Alaska’s interior as a daughter of missionary parents, Marla attended Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan before marrying Jim. Marla has been on staff at Crossroads for ten years. She and her husband, Jim, have four grown children and four grandchildren. Marla is a lover of God and a lover of people. She has a passion to see God exalted, glorified, and worshipped and believes this worship invites the presence of God for His kingdom to be expressed. She has a gift to mentor and raise up the next generation of leaders.

Kathy Conn

Projects, Events, Global Missions

Claudia Hopper

Administrative Assistant, Welcome Team, New Connections
Claudia joined our staff in April 2003 after investing 20 years at home raising their four children, Matt, Nick, Ben and Mariah. Over the years, when considering employment, God repeatedly told her, “The anointed job will be there at the appointed time, set your hand to the plow.” Keeping up with the office and assisting Pastors Phil, Dennis and Mike surely is such a job. Claudia also leads the Welcome Team with her gift of hospitality. Her husband Pat is her strength and best friend. They have been married for 30 years and have enjoyed traveling the past 5 years on mission trips to Israel, Ireland, and Mexico.

Elders Seven couples serve on our Elder board.

Messages for our Elders can be sent through Claudia Hopper.

Leadership Couples:
Neil & Jan Bacon
Greg & Phyllis Heath
Mike & Darlene Heath
Dennis & Brenda Hotchkiss
Ken & Beth Kincaid
Craig & Sheila Moseley
Phil & Sondra Markwardt