Our Staff

Dear Friends,My wife Bernadette and I have been married thirty years, and are the parents of three grown sons. I grew up outside of Chicago; have lived in Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Virginia; and now, God has been kind enough to give us a home here in the Lake Travis area.

After serving with congregations in Virginia for twenty-three years, we were called to Lake Travis in December, 2013 to help Church of the Cross be born. I am part of this ministry because I’m always excited to see what new things God has in store; and that you…whoever you are that’s reading this…might receive and discover the full, rich, encouraging, and challenging relationship with God that the Lord intends for you.

I’m a runner, and occasional cyclist. I’ve played bass in a band or two. I enjoy a good book that makes me think, and movies that make me laugh. My life verse is Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It’s a word from the scriptures that reminds us that God’s promise is goodness, and mercy, and love, and generosity, and peace, and joy; and that always, God wants a relationship with us.

If you are looking for a church home, the adventure of helping a new people be created, and the excitement that comes from witnessing what God is up to next, we invite you to come along with Church of the Cross.

Blessings to you this day, and I bid you God’s grace and peace.

Hi, everyone. My name is Jon Slimack and I am excited to be the new Youth Minister here at the Church of the Cross. I was raised in St. Louis, Missouri in a family and community of faith. My faith really started to grow when I was in high school and attended a mission trip. On this trip not only did my personal relationship grow but I also found a passion for working with and serving youth. I’m a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in elementary education. Ole Miss is where I met my wife Jordan, and where I realized working with kids was my calling. Most recently, we lived in Enid, Oklahoma where for three years I served as the Enid KLIFE Chapter Director. About six months ago we moved back to Austin, where Jordan was raised, and are enjoying the adventure God has laid before us.

Stepping into the Youth Minister position at Church of the Cross is exciting, and we’re working to create an atmosphere that works well for our youth and their friends. Covered by prayer, this ministry is based on the four pillars of service, fun, study, and worship. We seek a community where we enjoy being with one another and inviting our friends, and where it’s safe to ask questions and grow in our walk with Jesus. With all of us working together, God will continue to work in our students’ lives and to use the youth of ECC to serve and impact our community for God’s purposes. Please keep this ministry in your prayers and come along and help! Feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. We’re excited to see how God leads our Youth Ministry!

Hey y’all,

I’m Lizzie, your new Curate (which is Episcopal-speak for freshly ordained). Though I am new to being clergy, I’ve spent the last six years working as a youth pastor, family minister, and hospice chaplain. I graduated from Duke Divinity with my Master in Theological Studies in 2016 after wrapping up my Bachelor in Religion at Mount Holyoke in 2014.

My spouse, Jonathan, and I moved to Texas in 2018 – and the tacos and boots are too good to leave! We have two cats, Mary Poppins and Burt. Jonathan is a priest just up the road at St. Julian’s. I grew up primarily in North Carolina, but I’ve lived all over the world – Kotido, Uganda and Edinburgh, Scotland are my two favorites. Baptized Catholic, raised United Methodist, briefly a Mennonite missionary, and now contentedly Episcopalian, I am deeply committed to ecumenical and interfaith connection. My favorite books are The Color Purple by Alice Walker, and of course, Harry Potter. 

I am excited to partner with you in the building of God’s kin-dom as siblings in Christ!

Hi everyone,

I am Niki Taylor-Jeff and am newly married to Brian Jeff and have a wonderful blended family with 5 kids (ages 14, 12, 10, 10, 5)!

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Music Business from The University of Texas in 2002. I taught oboe lessons in many middle and high schools, then was called to use my administrative skills in ministry. Before having kids, I was a Ministry Assistant at Austin Christian Fellowship, assisting the Senior Pastor, Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry and Missions Ministry. I then became a Ministry Assistant at Austin Ridge Bible Church for the Men’s, Business and Young Adults Ministry. In 2016, I became a single mom and navigated my new normal with my wonderful church, community, friends, family and mentors. I simultaneously shifted and became the Assistant to the Vice President and to the Audiobook Division at a Christian literary agency from 2017 to 2019.

I started with Church of the Cross as the Office Administrator in summer 2019 and also continue to assist small business owners as a Creative Project Coordinator.