James Merritt is the Lead Pastor of Cross Pointe Church. He was born and raised in Oakwood, Georgia and surrendered his life to Christ as a 9-year-old boy. At age 21, he committed to full-time Christian ministry, and went on to pastor five churches. He has preached around the world to hundreds of thousands of people through television and radio.

James and his wife, Teresa, have been married for more than 36 years. They have three sons, one grandson and one granddaughter.

Shaun Pillay is a native of Durban, South Africa, called to serve as a missionary in New England. He planted Cornerstone City Church in downtown Norwich, CT eight years ago, and is dreaming multiplication with his passionate group of indigenous leaders. His passion is church planting, coaching and leadership development. Shaun currently serves as church plant catalyst with NAMB for CT and RI. He and his beautiful bride Deshni currently lives in Norwich, CT.
| 860 949 5800 | spillay@namb.net | @deshaun9 |

As a gifted teacher and visionary leader, you will quickly come to appreciate David’s warm, relational style, his humor and his wisdom. When preaching, he uses a style that is both expositional and practical. In addition, he leads the staff each week in prayer, worship, Bible interaction and vision.

David and Kathy have four boys; Tyler, Brannon, Peyton and Brent, and have recently added a daughter-in-law! Having played semi-professional soccer here in the U.S. and professional soccer in Malaysia, David enjoys watching all forms of the sport. He plays soccer, tennis and golf, as time permits. He loves to laugh, is a fan of technology and motorcycles, and is always making sure his car is spotless!

Pastor Roscoe started Northstar Church after God gave him a vision and a passion for helping people in Upstate New York meet Jesus. He is a gifted communicator who each week shares God’s word and its practical application in our daily lives. In his free time he loves any type of fishing, hunting, working with his bees, and spending time with his sweet family. Living in upstate New York provides him with more opportunities than time to enjoy this beautiful world God created. Pastor Roscoe holds a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Religion with a minor in Business. He also has a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary. He earned his Doctorate in 2013 with his doctoral project on “A Plan for Developing an Effective Community Outreach Strategy for Churches in the Northeast.” He is married to his best friend, Maryanna, and they have 3 beautiful children. Super-Important to Know: He writes with his left hand but does everything else with his right hand!

Bruce was saved in 1973 and called to ministry in 1975. He grew up in Northern New York and graduated from high school in Malone. He served on church staffs since 1977. He has been in the role of senior pastor since 1984. He has served at Northside since 1993.  Married to Kathy for 33 years, they have four children, and four grandchildren with two more on the way!  Bruce graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a B. A., received his M. Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and D. Min. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Bruce has a passion for God to work in Syracuse and throughout the Northeast to impact the 55 million people in 9 Northeastern states and beyond with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He longs to see churches thrive not just survive. His heart is for pastors to be encouraged, churches to be renewed, and the lost to be found.

A native of Northern New York, Dave Aubrey now serves as the Worship and Young Adult Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Dover, DE. He has served there on staff since January of 2009. David is a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Worship Leadership. He traveled with LU Praise for 2 years of his undergrad and has led worship and sang in over 40 churches across the country. Dave released his first EP “Fill This Place” in 2011 and now has followed that up with a full album “Take It All.” Dave recorded at RedTie Studios in Lynchburg, VA. His album features musical artists Charles Billingsley, Gavin Davis and Sounds of Liberty. Dave now has a summer series out beginning with his first secular release, a country tune called “Spend My Day With You.”
Dave is passionate about leading people into the very presence of God. Dave has written over 30 songs that encourage, strengthen and challenge people in their walk with Christ. David is a son to Bruce and Kathy in Syracuse, NY; a brother to Andrea Shuman, Charity Allen, and Emily Aubrey. He has two brother in laws Josh and Matt and two beautiful niece’s Gloria and Cecelia.

Christel Axtell, widow of church planter Pastor Joe Axtell, resides in Deposit, New York and is actively involved with Ladies’ and Children’s Ministries at Sherman Bible Chapel, the church her husband founded 35 years ago. Devoted ‘Momma’ to five and ‘Grammy’ to four beautiful grandbabies, her passion is to love fully, and come alongside those on their journey with Christ.