We are pleased to introduce Kate Cross, our newest regional coordinator who will cover the great state of Texas. Kate lives in Houston and is one of the volunteer team leaders for Messy Church at Spring Branch Presbyterian PC(USA) in Houston. She also serves as an Elder and Team Leader for Faith development and Missions at Spring Branch. She works at Rice University as Assistant Dean in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Kate writes: Greetings! I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I have had many opportunities in my life – to be a part of a loving family, to be a part of a church where relationships mattered, to get a good education and to travel a bit. I’ve embraced a career that provides plenty of opportunities to learn new and try new things – which fits me well.
As someone who seeks to follow Jesus, likes to think a little bit out of the box, collects hobbies, and values relationships – I was intrigued to find out about Messy Church by happenstance in August 2017, though I know God was definitely in the discovery. It provided structure to something that I’ve wanted for classes I’ve taught as well as how I teach my two daughters about God. I suspected my friends might also want such an opportunity, so I read everything I could, reached out to friends to form a leadership team, and visited another Messy Church, and then sought the blessing of my home church in October 2017 to start one there.
We advertised, did pop-ups, and prayed. Now the first Thursday of every month you’ll find me setting up tables to share the Good News with paint, play dough, marshmallows, and Legos – anxious that our marketing has been seen and that those that have been before will continue to come back – and hoping I’ve ordered enough chicken strips or pizza. I have been enriched and blessed by this journey so far and would love to share my experiences and learn from others.