Pastor: Rev. Dale G. Bauer

Pastor Dale was elected pastor of Cross of Hope on February 26, 1989, and was installed on the Day of Pentecost, May 21, 1989. He graduated from Valparaiso University, in Valparaiso, Indiana on June 9, 1968, two days after marrying Edee Robinson, also a student at Valparaiso. In 1972, Pastor Dale graduated from Hamma School of Theology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. He then participated in eight quarters of clinical pastoral education at Presbyterian Medical Center, in Denver, and served as chaplain to all sections of a 600-bed medical facility, chaplain to the oncology and maintenance dialysis units, and also participated in advanced training in pastoral counseling.

Pastor was ordained on May 12, 1974, at Faith Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio, after which he served at Zion Lutheran Church in Idaho Springs, Colorado, until 1979. The next ten years he spent as Pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church, in Denver, prior to his calling to Cross of Hope in 1989.

Pastor Dale has a passion for history, including a special interest in the American Civil War, and enjoys running, back-packing, camping, skiing, and traveling. He is an avid reader on numerous subjects. He was called primarily to exercise his gifts of preaching, leadership, teaching, and administration at Cross of Hope. In order to enable him to be faithful to this call, he maintains the following office schedule. Please feel free to contact him at 897-0047.

Monday: Pastor's day off
Tue, Wed, Fri: 11:30a.m to 5:00p.m - Phone calls / appointments
Thursday: Sermon Preparation

Excellent pastoral care is available to you through the Hope Counseling Center and through the Stephen Ministers   , who are thoroughly trained to meet a wide variety of needs and situations. Pastor Dale normally does not undertake long-term counseling, although he is more than happy to meet with you to evaluate your circumstances and needs, and refer you to competent resources.

Church Administrator: Linda Willoughby

 Linda joined the Cross of Hope staff in May 1995. She moved from San Jose, California, in January 1995 with her husband Jeff; they currently reside in Rio Rancho. As Church Administrator, Linda’s main function is to handle day-to-day administrative concerns at Cross of Hope. She operates with the authority of Pastor Dale on many administrative concerns. She also manages the office and its support activities, as well as the volunteers who perform many of the office tasks.

Prior to moving to Albuquerque, Linda attended Point Loma Nazarene College, studying music education. She has experience teaching violin and playing chamber music, and also worked with a company in Santa Clara, California, called RAMTEK. Linda was with RAMTEK for thirteen years, working in billable for field maintenance contracts, as assistant administrator to the sales department, and as publication coordinator to the publications department.

Linda enjoys people and an activity filled environment. Her hobbies are: taking walks; cooking; sewing; creating; reading suspense stories; having coffee with her husband out on their deck; and musical activities such as playing in the Albuquerque Symphonic Orchestra.

Administrative Assistant: Nancy Morrison

At Cross of Hope, Nancy prepares all church bulletins, and announcements. Nancy, Greg, and their daughter, Heather, moved to Rio Rancho from Minot, North Dakota, in 1993 and joined Cross of Hope in June 1995.

Director of Music and Youth and Family: Richard Hielkema

Richard serves as the music director for Cross of Hope Church as well as the music instructor in the elementary school. Richard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, K-12, and a Master’s degree in Music Education. Richard enjoys spending time with his family whether it is playing in the backyard or out camping. He and his wife Erin have three children. Other hobbies include playing golf, skiing, and watching any type of sports that might be on TV.

Worship Director: Connie Orbinati

Connie has been serving in the Worship Director position since February of 2011. Training sessions are hosted throughout the year for various Worship Ministry tasks such as Usher, Host, and Assisting Minister. All Worship Ministry Task Coordinators report to Connie. 
Ministry Task Coordinators: Acolyte; Assisting Minister; Host: Lector; Outdoor Worship Setup Team Leader; Ushers; Altar Guild; Banner Makers; Drama; Faith Journey; Flowers; Crises Care; Ministry Moments; Ministry Announcements; Nursery; Outreach Patio Storage; Visitor Follow up; Wedding; Coffee; Kitchen; Member Follow Up.
 

Accompanist: Amy Ellis

Amy accompanies the first and second services. Prior to living in Albuquerque, Amy grew up in Eagle River, Alaska, where she first learned how to play the piano. Since then music has been a big part of her life - she has accompanied small and large choirs, vocalists, instrumentalists, and even the occasional musical. One of her fondest memories is of playing the pipe organ for several years at my hometown Lutheran church. She also sang for seven years with the Anchorage Concert Chorus and currently sings with the University Chorus at UNM. In addition to working at Cross of Hope, she is a Dual Language teacher at APS, where she teaches in Spanish. In her free time she enjoys reading and being in the great outdoors.

Audio / Video Specialist: Meagan Halstead

Meagan is responsible for such tasks as operating sound and video equipment for all of our Sunday services, running Power Point presentations, and operating sound equipment for midweek choir rehearsals.

Custodian: Damacio Padilla

In addition to his duties at Cross of Hope, Damacio works at LBJ Middle School. His 11+ years of experience in an educational facility made him a perfect match for the needs of Cross of Hope – both the church and the school. He is on-site five days a week for approximately 3-4 hours a day, with some weekend work as well.

 NURSERY STAFF 

 Alyssa Girard - Nursery Coordinator / Caregiver


 Florence Begay - Nursery Caregiver


 Arline Skindelin - Nursery Caregiver

HeBREWS Manager: Kel Orbinati

I have been a member of cross of hope since the summer of 1996.   I've always enjoyed HeBREWS since it first opened.  I enjoy serving espresso to all.   Thank you for this opportunity.    Please contact me if you have suggestions or ideas to improve our HeBREWS ministry.

Director of Financial and Business Operations: Karen Schwartz and Greg Morrison



Payroll Clerk for Church and Schools: Bonnie Davis