MEET THE STAFF

Butch Strickland 
Interim Teaching Pastor

Butch and his wife, Pam, live in the Valley.  Butch has been a missionary in Venezuela with our International Mission Board and has pastored in Texas and Oregon. Most recently he has been on staff with the Alaska Baptist Convention and then the Hatcher Pass Baptist Association from which he retired at the beginning of 2020.

---

Pastor Gary Bearce
Missions and Administrative Pastor
Gary  retired from full time missions work with the North American Missions Board and joined the CrossCountry staff in 2017.  He has served in ministry in the local church and as Church Health Director for a state church convention before coming to Alaska. Gary and his wife ​Shirley have lived in Alaska since 2006.  They have two grown children and 5 grandchildren.

Shirley Bearce
Administrative Assistant
Shirley joined the CrossCountry staff in 2017.  She and her husband Gary moved to Alaska in 2006.  She is a former School teacher and Church Preschool and Children's Director.  She and Gary enjoy traveling, especially on mission trips, as well as walking and exploring in Alaska.

---

---

Kathy Towns
Children's Director/Treasurer
​
Kathy was born in So. CA, a 5th generation Californian.  She has lived in CA, LA, & AK.  Her family moved to AK when she was in 3rd grade because of her dad’s work.  She lived in Anchorage until 1981, then moved to Wasilla.  She has worked for Anchorage Sand & Gravel for 36 years.  She will be celebrating her 35th wedding anniversary to Calvin in July.  She is the oldest of 8 & has 3 sisters, 1 brother, 2 step-sisters, & a step-brother.  She has 3 children & 5 grandchildren.  She has been attending CrossCountry since the beginning & has served as Children’s Director & Treasurer for that long.  She is a certified instructor for American Red Cross for CPR/AED/First Aid, & volunteers her time with many local committees & organizations.  She loves NASCAR & NHRA.  A few little known facts about her - She met her husband “cruisin’” the strip in her Chevy Chevelle Laguna SS & has won 3 awards for her company; 1 for heroism (2013) & 2 for Community Spirit (2015).

---

​Mike Maddox
Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader
​
Mike is the ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery at Cross Country Church. Mike comes from a long line of ministers and took on his grandfathers mantle by becoming an ordained minister himself in 2015. He moved to Alaska in 1993 to hunt and fish as well as continue his career in medicine. He is now retired from his secular job and devotes all of his time to serving others thru the Celebrate Recovery ministry, music ministry (Messenger Christian Ministries), and most recently, recovery outreach into the state prison system. He has a heart for those who have been incarcerated or struggle with addiction as well as their loved ones.

---

Samantha Krauser
Worship Leader

Samantha has served in worship ministry for over 9 years and has been teaching music for over 10. She spent most of her life in Illinois but she and her family decided to make the move to serve in Alaska. She is married with one son and the whole family has been enjoying all that Alaska has to offer, particularly with hikes and seeing the wild life. She is thrilled to be a part of the CrossCountry family and serving God through worship and praise. ​