By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA—The Church at Shelby Crossings in Calera introduced Justin Cross as its new worship pastor on Sunday, Nov. 1.

“He’s an excellent worship leader, a very gifted musician and he’s just been a blessing to our church already,” said lead pastor Ken Letson in a Nov. 13 interview.

When the position became available, Letson said the church put a search team together to find candidates. After interviewing several contenders,  Letson said it became apparent that Cross was the right fit for the worship pastor. It only took about a month to add Cross to the church’s team.

As the worship pastor, Cross’s responsibilities are planning and leading the worship services, coordinating the vocalists and musicians and pastoring the church in the area of worship.

Cross, 27, a musician and songwriter who has gained a popular following in the Birmingham music community, according to Letson. Cross is also a gifted worship leader, and will lead the church’s 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services each Sunday.

A native of LaGrange, Ga., Cross originally came to Birmingham to attend Southeastern Bible College. He made the move to Shelby Crossings from Liberty Church in Hoover. He is married to Amy, and they have one son, Jackson.

Robert Hope, the former worship pastor, left in September to move his family to Australia to pursue the Lord’s will there.

“We are so very excited to have Justin and his family as part of our church family,” Letson said.“He is an incredibly gifted musician, but more than that, a humble man of God, and we are grateful that the Lord has led him our way.”

The Church at Shelby Crossings is located at 532 George Roy Parkway in Calera. For more information, go to Shelbycrossings.com.