Pastor Scott Simmons was the ELCA mission developer for Lydia Place Collaborative Communities in the South Saint Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul from 2013-2020. In 2020, Lydia Place reformed as The Lydian Way, a non-profit missional discernment space for congregations and other faith based communities.

He is graduate of Luther Seminary with an Mdiv in Congregational Mission and Leadership, holds an MA from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and a BA in English from Bethany College (ELCA) in Lindsborg, KS. He is presently working on a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Prophetic Leadership from Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

Pastor Scott is a member and mandolinist of the Fleshpots of Egypt, an old time string band based in the Twin Cities that plays familiar hymns on bluegrass instruments. In addition to a monthly beer and hymn event at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul, the Fleshpots regularly appear at synod assemblies, congregational gatherings, and other events around the region. They are also a yearly featured worship band at the Festival of Homiletics, the nation’s largest preaching festival held yearly at various locations across the country.

He is married to Kelli, father to Elise, Matthew and his wife Bri, and grandpa to Elway, Beckham, and Poppy. He is an active soccer player, coach and fans (Go Loons), and a die-hard follower of the Missouri Tigers and Denver Broncos.

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Kenneth joined the Cross Lutheran family as the Director of Music and Lead Musician in February of 2024. He is a talented and delightful worship leader and musician.

A native of north-central Wisconsin, Kenneth has resided in Minneapolis since 2015.  He is a graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, with a degree in music, incorporating an emphasis on both instrumental and choral education.  He has also been an accompanist since high school, and has been an active accompanist and chamber musician in the Minneapolis area.  He is also currently the orchestral keyboardist for the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ken’s hobbies include reading, trivia, and the outdoors, especially hiking and camping in autumn.

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Carol Hastings began singing in the choir when her good friend Lisa McKinnon (nee Schmidt) asked her to come and sing in late 1978.  Carol became a member of the congregation in 1981.  She has served on many boards, gone on several summer Youth trips (mostly to the BWCAW), and played in the Handbell Ensemble.  Carol has always appreciated and enjoyed our intergenerational events and activities.  “Having all generations play handbells or games at our retreats helps build our relationships, letting everyone know they have people outside of their “family” who care about them.”  Carol considers Cross Lutheran to be her family and shares that feeling with many of the members.

In December 2008 Carol started working as the part time secretary primarily responsible for the worship bulletins and entering contributions in the computer.  In August of 2011 Carol became our full time secretary.  She spends part of her day driving school bus and is very thankful to be able to work at Cross Lutheran between her morning and afternoon routes.

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Katie joined the Cross Lutheran family in August of 2022, and is also involved with other churches in the twin cities. She lives in Minneapolis and has a pet ball python named Tad Cooper.

She has a BIS in Communication, Psychology, and Media from the University of Minnesota, and an enduring passion for understanding people, good communication and truth. Prior to finishing her bachelors, she spent several years as a student and staff with Youth With a Mission both locally and abroad in Norway and Austria, obtaining international certificates in Discipleship, Ministry Development, Pioneering and Leadership.

Before joining the Cross Church family, she worked in marketing and direct medical care, and prior to that was a missionary in Europe for four years, based in Vienna, Austria. In Vienna, she and a team started a discipleship and ministry school for Youth With a Mission, which trained students from around the world and served both locally and in eastern Europe.

She is an artist, a lover of people and cultures, an avid traveler (35 countries and counting!), a filmmaker and a gym rat.