PASTORAL STAFF
Taylor Burgess
Lead Pastor (Preaching, Mission and Vision)
Taylor Burgess is the Lead and Founding Pastor of Cross Community Church. He is married to Emily and they have three boys: Gideon, Nolan, and Lincoln. Taylor was raised in Boone, NC, but has called Beaufort “home” since 2013. Prior to planting Cross Community in 2016, Taylor served multiple churches in North and South Carolina through student ministry, worship ministry, and preaching. He attended Appalachian State in Boone, NC for two years before transferring to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA where he earned an undergraduate degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in church planting and evangelism. He is currently in the process of completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Expository Preaching from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Taylor loves spending time with his family, working outside, books, sports, and coffee. He is passionate about preaching the gospel verse-by-verse, and outside of his role at CCC, you can find him speaking at churches and ministry events throughout the southeast.
Scott Shipes
Executive Pastor
Scott Shipes serves as the Executive Pastor at Cross Community Church. He has been married to Tonya Peals for over 32 years and they have 6 children; Makenzie (Tyler Smith), Hunter (Tara), Chandler, Parker, Joseph and Joshua, and six grandchildren; Stella, Voss, Noah, Vivie, Raleigh, and Rigby. Scott was born and raised up in Williston, SC. Scott and his family lived and served on the mission field in Botswana, Africa from July 2010 until they returned home in July 2013. Their work abroad involved going into communities to equip leaders on how to develop children by meeting their mental, physical, social and spiritual needs. He attended Clemson University where he received his undergraduate degree in Textile Technology and his Masters of Christian Ministry from North Greenville University in May 2015. Scott loves working in his yard, traveling, food, and nice meal with friends and family. His life verse is Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
Greyson Johnston
Worship Pastor
Greyson Johnston serves as the Worship Pastor of Cross Community Church. He is married to Lauryn, and they have three boys; Everett, Walker, and James. Greyson has lived the majority of his life in Beaufort, certainly enough to be considered a Beaufortonian. Greyson served in worship ministry in churches in North Carolina and South Carolina before Cross Community Church was planted. Greyson is connected with a ministry school called 10,000 Fathers where the desire is to teach worship leaders how to grow from just being song leaders to worship pastors. It was in this time that his heart for writing songs for the local church developed and has led to some great opportunities, including recording a live project of songs we sing regularly in our church services. Greyson’s heart is that the Gospel would be communicated through every element of our worship gatherings and that we don’t only worship with the songs we sing but with an all-of-life response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Michael Morrison
Pastor of Congregational Care
Michael Morrison serves as the Pastor of Congregational Care at Cross Community Church. He is married to Mallory and they have two daughters; Nora and Vera. Michael is from McClellanville, SC. Michael moved to Beaufort in 2011 and he and his family were a part of the plant team for Cross Community. Michael holds a graduate of theology from Liberty University. His desire is to see people get connected and help them understand our call to serve the body of Christ. Outside of Cross Community Church, you can find him spending time with his family, playing golf, or cheering on Clemson football or Liverpool FC.
Rob Williams
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Rob Williams is the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Cross Community Church. He is married to Caroline and they have two sons, Fraser and Fischer, and a daughter named Salomé. Rob was born and raised in Lancaster, SC. Before coming to Cross Community, Rob served as a Pastor of Care and Counseling in Chicago and the Washington, DC area and as a counselor with Heart Song Counseling. He graduated with a Sports Management degree from Coastal Carolina University and holds master’s and doctorate degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. When he is not working, Rob enjoys coaching and watching all sports (especially college football and baseball), books and coffee, CrossFit, and smoking ribs.
Obbie Todd
Pastor of Teaching and Theologian in Residence
Obbie Todd is Pastor of Teaching and Theologian in Residence at Cross Community Church. He and his wife Kelly have twins: Roman and Ruby. Obbie was born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky and is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky. Prior to serving at Cross, Obbie was senior pastor at Third Baptist Church of Marion, Illinois from 2020 to 2025. He has also served at churches in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Georgia. Obbie is Adjunct Professor of Theology at Luther Rice College & Seminary and occasionally serves as Adjunct Professor of Church History at his alma mater New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his Ph.D. Obbie’s favorite book of the Bible is Philippians, and he loves running, coffee, reading American history, and all things from the Bluegrass state.
MINISTRY STAFF
Leandra Livesay
Executive Director of Ministries
Leandra Livesay is the Executive Director of Ministries at Cross Community Church. She and her husband Nate have lived in South Carolina for over 25 years and have called Beaufort home for the last 10. They have three children ~ Elizabeth, Tyler, and Troy. In her many years in ministry, Leandra has had the privilege of serving as both a Student and Children’s Minister, leading volunteers to share the gospel with the next generation from babies to college-aged kids. Leandra graduated from King University and has a Master’s in Higher Education from USC. She loves spending time with her family, listening to podcasts, cooking, and going to the beach.
Cole Forrest
Student Minister
Cole Forrest is the Student Minister at Cross Community Church. Cole and his wife, Ashton, moved to Beaufort to be a part of the Cross Family in 2020 and, since then, have welcomed their daughter, Adley, and are looking forward to welcoming their second child in July 2025. Cole was born and raised around the triad of NC and has worked with students since 2016. Some of Cole’s passions include hunting/fishing, watching baseball, preaching/teaching, and church planting. Cole holds degrees from both Liberty University (Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Leadership) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity in Biblical Counseling).
Nichole Bright
Children's Discipleship Assistant
Nichole Bright serves as the Children’s Discipleship Assistant. She was born and raised in Beaufort and met her husband, Danny, in middle school. They both graduated from Battery Creek High School in 2004 and got married in 2007. They have two children, Dylan & Emma. Growing up, Nichole always wanted to be a teacher but God had other plans and she has been working as an administrator at Burton Fire District since 2007. She has been serving in the early childhood side of Cross Kids for 5 years and is excited to shift into a new role while continuing to serve the families of Cross Community! Nichole enjoys time with family through boating, traveling and sports. And she appreciates a good outdoor walk and dinner or coffee with friends.
Monica Wilkinson
Women's Discipleship Director
Monica Wilkinson serves as the Women’s Discipleship Director. She is married to David and they have children. Monica enjoys creating an inviting atmosphere through words, beauty and slowing down. She has written four books and enjoys writing in her free time as well as various creative outlets and cultivating beauty in everyday moments. She is excited and humbled to be part of the work and ministry of Cross, and loves serving the women of Cross.
Aaron Schranz
Connections Director
Aaron Schranz serves as the Connections Director at Cross Community Church. She is married to Jason and they have four children; Hannah, John Noah, Tice, and Milly. Aaron is originally from Florida but Jason’s Marine Corps service has brought them repeatedly to Beaufort, SC. The first time from 2011-2014, then again from 2015-2020, and most recently in 2022. Their family feels fortunate to now call the Lowcountry their permanent home. Aaron earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University in Nashville, TN and a Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. She loves being busy with her children who are involved in theater, band, gymnastics, and baseball. In her free time she loves enjoying a good cup of coffee, walking on the Spanish Moss Trail, hosting parties, and gathering friends around the dinner table or fire pit. Aaron is excited to be a part of the Cross staff and a member of this community that is committed to preaching the gospel and making disciples.
Ashleigh Paxton
Administrator
Ashleigh Paxton serves as Administrator at Cross Community Church. She is married to Thayer and they are raising four kids. Their family came to the lowcountry as a Marine Corps family in 2009, but Ashleigh was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a B.A. in Business Management. She had the joy of being home with her kids and spending some of those years homeschooling before joining the staff at Cross. She loves spending time with her family, reading a thoughtful novel, Pittsburgh sports, volunteering in animal rescue and raising her backyard chickens.
Emily Burgess
Communications Director
Emily Burgess serves as the Communications Director at Cross Community Church. She is married to Taylor and they have three boys; Gideon, Nolan, and Lincoln. Emily graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She has written for several magazines while staying-at-home with her boys and now serves in this role part-time, putting her social media skills to work. She enjoys planning parties and events, organizing, and engaging other ladies one-on-one.
Ali Strickland
Children's Discipleship Director
Ali Strickland is the Children’s Discipleship Director at Cross Community Church. She and her husband of 18 years, Chris, moved to Beaufort in December 2021 with their two daughters, Emma Cate and Charlie Ann. The whole family instantly felt that God was calling them to join Cross Community as covenant members and get involved in the ministries of the church. Ali has been a public school educator and administrator for 18 years, but always felt called to serve in Children’s Ministry. Ali holds degrees from North Greenville University, Converse College, and Southern Wesleyan University in Elementary Education and Administration/Supervision of Schools. She loves spending time with her family, snuggling with her pets, and reading books on the beach. She is excited to preach the gospel and make disciples of all the children in CROSSkids!
Ben Whitlock
Facilities Coordinator
Ben Whitlock serves as the facilities coordinator for Cross Community Church. He is married to Sheryl Whitlock and between them they have 6 adult children, and 12 grandchildren. Sheryl is a nurse at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Ben was born in Phoenix Arizona but was raised in Oklahoma. Ben spent much of his adult life in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. Ben moved to Columbia SC in 1997. Ben served as the Worship leader and teacher at Eason Memorial Batist Church in Eastover SC for 7 years. Ben had a 30+ year career as a Jeweler, then entered the retail management world as a manager of a Store Manager for specialty grocery stores Fresh Market and Earth Fare. The grocery business took Ben to Atlanta GA for 6 years. Ben and Sheryl moved to Beaufort SC in 2021 and enjoy living close to family. Ben and Sheryl enjoy spending time with friends and family and walking and dining at the waterfront. They are proud to call Beaufort and Cross Community Church their home.
Nate Schaub
Seek Director
Nate Schaub serves as the director of Seek, the prayer ministry of Cross Community Church. He and his wife, Shanea, have been married for more than a quarter of a century, and they have two daughters, Ellie and Abby. They have been members at Cross since 2018, and Nate has served as a member of the church’s elder team since 2020. Nate is passionate about building a culture of extraordinary prayer within our church and raising up disciples of Jesus who contend in prayer for revival and awakening in their generation. He enjoys reading, sharing good food with good friends, talking about Jesus around a campfire, and quoting A.W. Tozer.
Christal Smith
Student Ministry Associate
Christal Smith serves as the Student Ministry Associate at Cross Community Church. She and her husband Marshall met at their church in the 6th grade in their hometown of Columbia, SC. Because their church’s student and college ministries had such an impact on their lives, Christal and Marshall have always had a heart for discipling the next generation. They have both served in student ministry for many, many years. They count it a privilege and blessing to be a part of the CROSSover Student Ministry alongside their two teenage daughters, Molly and Maggie. Christal earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from the University of South Carolina. She began her teaching career as an elementary teacher in a public school, and over the years she has since taught in private school, church preschool, USC, and homeschool co-ops with students ranging from one-year olds to University students. Through the Lord’s grace and provision, she has been able to teach her two favorite students over the last 11 years as she has homeschooled her two daughters all the way through high school. Christal is excited and honored to be a part of the Lord’s work through the Student Ministry at Cross!
Caroline Williams
Counseling Director
Caroline Williams serves as the Counseling Director at Cross Community Church. She and her husband, Rob, have been married since 2013 and are raising three energetic children. The Williams family enjoys playing sports, being outside, hosting dinners, getting to know neighbors, and weekly family night. Caroline has worked for Heart Song Counseling since 2014, and she is grateful for the opportunity to encourage and support Cross members through biblical counseling. Caroline obtained her BA in Spanish, Anthropology, and Sociology from Oklahoma Baptist University. After graduating, she participated in the Journeyman Program in Portugal, doing family discipleship through Christian Surfers and YoungLife. Caroline completed her MA in Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012. Her greatest delight is seeing God faithfully redeem and restore his people.
Brooke Paul
GROW Team Administrative Assistant
Brooke Paul serves as the GROW Team Administrative Assistant at Cross Community Church. Brooke and her husband, Austin, have two young children; Amelia and Andrew. They are originally from Georgia, but relocated to Beaufort in 2023 as a Marine Corps family. Brooke graduated from Mercer University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, as well as Georgia College & State University with a Master of Accountancy. Brooke previously worked in public accounting for six years, but felt called to leave the corporate world to spend more time with her children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, playing with her dog, and cheering on the Braves and Sooners.
