Our Staff

The Rev. Christine Brunson has been called to serve as Vicar of Episcopal Church of the Cross, joining a growing congregation committed to building a welcoming, Christ-centered community for the Lake Travis, Lakeway, and Bee Cave areas. Her ministry is rooted in grace, healing, and resilience, shaped by a calling “to meet you exactly as you are, where you are, and to walk with you on the journey through the valleys and mountains of this life.”

Pastoral Experience

Christine brings a rich and varied ministry background to this role. She most recently served as Associate Priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, where she oversaw ministries with Children, Youth, Families, and Veterans. Prior to St. Matthew’s, she served as the first Chaplain for the Port of Houston, leading the Seamen’s Church Institute’s pastoral outreach to inland and intracoastal mariners working and living in difficult and often dangerous conditions.

Chaplaincy & Crisis Ministry

Alongside her parish work, Christine has devoted significant ministry to crisis and disaster response, particularly with veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. She has offered pastoral care, resilience training, and spiritual support during and immediately following traumatic events. Her most recent deployment was serving near the Ukraine/Poland border with volunteers from the US and Poland.

Education & Background

Before her ordination, Christine worked as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings. This experience gave her deep insight into human vulnerability and the need for compassionate presence, qualities that continue to shape her vocation. She earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University and her Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.

Life Beyond the Church

Beyond her pastoral work, Christine enjoys teaching her son about the world, hiking with her dog, writing for print and online media, and preparing the stand-up comedy routine she is determined to give one day. Born and raised in Austin, she retains a strong sense of Texan identity and delights in prayerfully reminding friends from other states that Texas BBQ is, in fact, the only true BBQ.

Dave Madden, an alum of both Berklee College of Music and TED Talks, has been voted Best Music Arranger at the AMP Austin Music Industry Awards, Top 10 Best Keyboards by the Austin Chronicle’s Music Poll, and Best Austin Record by INsite Magazine. A voting member for the Grammy’s, a member of the ATXM Musicians Advisory Panel, and founder of the 11:59 Songwriting Group, Dave is the rare combination of accomplished songwriter and masterful multi-instrumentalist. He has been leading music full time in churches since he was 14, and enjoys breathing new life into a wide variety of Christian and Gospel genres. When Dave isn’t making music, he enjoys cooking, reading, exercise, and spending time with his wife Sarah.

is the Office Administrator and Safeguarding Admin and Trainer for ECCLT. When she isn’t prepping bulletins, sending emails or coordinating trainings, Jesse is the proud mom of two boys and enjoys spending time with her family and dog.

Mary Allen joined the staff of Church of the Cross in the summer of 2021, and brings a wealth of wisdom, compassion, and experience to this ministry, and a heart to see children, youth, and entire households grow in their walk with God. She has served as a children’s Sunday School and youth group leader, and has also served on the Camp Allen Steering Committee for the Youth Happening Ministry. She has been in education for over twenty-five years, serving as a teacher, licensed specialist in school psychology, mental health provider, and behavior specialist. She and her husband Kevin are parents to four children and she knows deeply the joys, responsibilities, and challenges of being a parent. We’re grateful for Mary Allen’s presence and service in the ECC congregation, and invite you to be in touch with her at [email protected].