Tammi Hively

Tammi Hively grew up in the United Methodist Church, where she attended services faithfully with her family throughout her childhood years. A deep and abiding love of music, especially Christian music, has always been in her heart. Her childhood church family still shares stories of how loud and enthusiastic she was as early as 3 years old when she would sing with the children during worship services. Tammi began singing in her church choir as a pre-teen and continued throughout adulthood, playing several different instruments in band and orchestra during her educational years. As a freshman at a small Southern Baptist school in Kentucky, Tammi heard her first salvation message from a visiting revival service pastor and gave her life to Christ. Since that day, she married her prom date from high school, raised two sons and a bonus daughter, and followed God's lead to a new faith family at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield, OH. Currently, Tammi serves as a vocalist on the worship team at her home church, where she also engages in various other ministry opportunities, including children's ministries. Outside of church, Tammi serves her local community as a public servant. She seeks to be obedient by serving her God and Savior, using her gift of song to bring honor and glory to the Creator, often sharing her passion through performances of songs like 'Just The Cross.'

Mike Cottrell grew up in a traditional Baptist pastor's home. The faithfulness of his family had him in church early and often, and he quickly learned that most ministry starts when the service ends. At nine years old, Mike came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and has since devoted his life to serving his Savior through Christian music. He fell in love with church audio and music, starting with church audio at just ten years old by flipping the tape for sermon recordings. To foster his love of music, his mother insisted he be enrolled in band. Mike began leading singing off and on at twelve, and at age 15, he stepped into his first role as Director of Music and Worship. Throughout middle and high school, Mike played brass, participating in Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz, and Pep Bands. He also spent two seasons performing with The Springfield Youth Symphony and was a member of Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, touring and competing across the continental US as part of Drum Corps International: Marching Music’s Major League. Mike has since served as Director of Music and Worship at three other churches, earning a reputation as a fantastic leader and powerhouse vocalist. In Fall of 2024, Mike received a call from Bro. Casey Leonard with an invitation to join Just The Cross, where he agreed to serve as Manager and lead male vocalist. He also leads worship at Grace Missionary Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with his family, contributing his talents to the worship team.

Jordyn grew up in a close-knit Christian family deeply involved in the church community. From a young age, she loved volunteering and serving wherever she was needed, participating in various church activities. At 13, she began leading worship with her mom by her side, while her dad and brother managed the audio and visual team. When the worship team needed a keyboard player, Jordyn took the initiative to teach herself so she could contribute. At just 10 years old, she made the life-changing decision to fully surrender her heart to the Lord, centering her life around Jesus. Christian music has always been her passion—whether singing in her school choir or belting out worship songs in her car, it's how she feels most connected to God. Now as an adult, Jordyn continues to serve on worship teams, including Just The Cross, finding immense joy in using her gifts to honor the Lord. Worship has consistently been her favorite means of connecting with God, often moving her to tears in His presence. Being part of Just The Cross is a blessing that Jordyn cherishes, allowing her to express her love for music and worship to the One who has profoundly changed her life.

Jodi grew up in a Christian family deeply involved in ministry. Her grandfather was the pastor of the Missionary church where she spent her childhood, creating countless memories of helping with everything from cleaning the church to participating in children’s ministry and folding bulletins in the church office. Every Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday night, she sat with her family listening to her grandpa preach many salvation messages. It was at the age of 12 that she truly surrendered her heart to the Lord and made a commitment to serve Him in every way she could. With a lifelong passion for Christian music, Jodi has fond memories of singing in her school choir and with her grandma, who loved belting out hymns. She enjoyed watching her dad lead songs from the front and helping her mom teach the children, guiding them as they sang for the congregation. Throughout adulthood, Jodi has continued to serve in ministry on worship teams, including with Just The Cross, and in children’s ministry alongside her husband Chris and their children. She is passionate about worship and loves to express her devotion to the Lord through music. Jodi is grateful for the blessing and opportunity to join JTC and use her love of music and singing to bring honor and glory to the One who is worthy of it all.

Casey Leonard grew up in a household divided by faith. His father believed that churches were just out to take people’s money and had zero interest in the Lord, forbidding the family from attending church. Throughout it all, Casey’s mother remained steadfast in her faith, sharing the love of Jesus with her three children in their home. At 17, Casey got his first bass and embarked on a long journey of learning to play. Although he never joined a band, he and his brother spent over a decade recording original songs in his basement, mastering the use of professional recording equipment. Some of their original ideas caught the attention of film studios, including one featured by Nickelodeon on an episode of Bread Winners. After starting a computer business, Casey put his bass playing aside until 30 years later when his brother contacted him about playing for the church's worship team. Initially uninterested, Casey eventually agreed to fill in for practices, with no intention of participating in Sunday services. A few months later, a special lady on the worship team, Rita Beady, convinced him to promise to play for one Sunday service. That Sunday, he experienced a revelation about his calling. He began listening to God and recalling the lessons his mother had taught him as a child. His faith flourished, and he recognized the impact he could make for the Lord through Christian music. Since then, Casey has dedicated his life to God, worshiping Him with his talent. Four years later, God called on him again to start a worship band, aiming to bring the name of Jesus to more than just his home church. He listened and prayed, leading to the creation of Just The Cross, known as 'JTC.' Bro. Casey is the founder of JTC, where he plays bass and serves as the Director of Merchandise.

Nolan was born into a Christian household and was always raised in the church, where he developed a passion for Christian music. He came to know the Lord at a young age, and at 13, he picked up the acoustic guitar and started practicing. Over the summer of 2022, he worked and saved up for his first electric guitar, and that Christmas marked his first time playing on stage at church. Since then, he’s been an active member of the worship team, playing electric guitar every Sunday and occasionally filling in for drums or acoustic guitar. When he’s not at church, he enjoys playing at home, using his gifts to glorify God and share his love for music, including songs like 'Just The Cross.'

I spent a lifetime lost until I found God. I've never done anything great or worthy of praise in my life; I have failed upward, growing closer to God in spirit and in truth. Saying yes to the Holy Ghost has been the single most transcendent decision of my life. God has ripped me apart and put me back together again and again, each time rebuilding me deeper and more dependent upon His source of living water. Fortifying me with peace, hope, and love. How great He is, that a wretch of the baser sort like me can take part in the building of the kingdom through Christian music and my role in the worship team. For me, it’s simple: I vow to serve after Him, spirit to spirit, following His calling on my life. To understand His heart, to learn His wisdom, but remain a fool for God. To minister unto the Lord with the heart of a child. That’s it. Simple. (1Co 7:17, 20-24 & Act 10:15) No seminary, no cataclysm, no permission from some official. Just relationship, just His spirit, and no others. (Joh 15:16 & Jer 1:5, 1Cor 9:14-16). I also play guitar, often sharing songs like 'Just The Cross.'

Annette was raised with a deep understanding of God and became aware of His presence as a young child. Music has played a significant role in Annette's life; she has been part of various bands, primarily performing Christian music in genres like blues, rock, alternative, and Christian Contemporary. As she experienced powerful moments of supernatural intervention, protection, and healing, her love and awareness of God intensified. After a near-death experience, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior many years ago and has since been dedicated to serving Him, driven by a passionate desire to fulfill His will. Since the mid-90s, Annette has been involved in worship ministry, contributing as a drummer, background vocalist, and songwriter. She has participated in numerous worship services and events alongside worship teams and Christian bands, most recently with Flood Gate. Her engagements include church services, AGLOW meetings, End-Time Handmaidens and Servants meetings, tent meetings, outdoor festivals, prophetic conferences, the MI State Fair, the Transformation Michigan conference, and private events. Currently, Annette serves on the worship team at her home church, Kettering Assembly of God, as well as at The Bridge Church. In October 2024, she joined Just The Cross as their drummer and background vocalist, eagerly anticipating collaboration on original songs. Annette’s favorite quote comes from a song by Reuben Morgan, My Heart Will Trust: “Oh, You mourn with me and You dance with me, For my heart of hearts is bound to You….”

Lindsey Eastes grew up in a wonderful Christian home where Christian music was always present, filling the air with melodies of worship. Her mother, a talented church pianist, would often practice for church services and special music events, including various quartets and duets. Observing her mother play, Lindsey developed a keen interest in music, which led her parents to enroll her in piano lessons. By the age of twelve, she was already playing piano for church services, truly embracing her God-given talent and desiring to be used for the Lord. For many years now, she has continued to contribute to congregational singing, the church choir, and special music, including performances like 'Just The Cross,' all for the glory of God. Lindsey cherishes the life, family, and musical talent that God has blessed her with, enjoying her role in the worship team.

Presley Hawley was raised in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Ohio in 2020 after graduating from Cedarville University. Her early years were marked by a tumultuous upbringing and a church culture that emphasized works-based salvation. The combination left her struggling with self-worth and searching for stability. In the midst of it all, music became her safe place—a refuge where she found comfort, expression, and a sense of belonging. Though she was surrounded by religion growing up, Presley didn’t encounter the true gospel until the age of sixteen. That’s when she heard, for the first time, that salvation was not something to be earned—it was a free gift through the grace of Jesus Christ. In that moment, the burden of striving lifted. She realized Christ had died for her exactly as she was, fully knowing every flaw and loving her unconditionally. Accepting that truth changed everything, and Presley came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Since then, she has walked in the freedom of God’s grace, growing daily in her relationship with Him. Music, especially Christian music, has always played a central role in her life. She began playing piano at age four, picked up clarinet in fourth grade, and bass clarinet in sixth. She has played her instruments and sung both competitively and personally, discovering along the way that worship was one of the clearest ways she connected with God. Today, as a member of her church's worship team, she serves as the band’s keyboardist, using her gifts to glorify the One who gave them and to lead others into worship. Presley is married to her husband Joel, and together they have two beautiful children. She’s an elementary school teacher and an active member of Trinity Missionary Church. She has a deep burden for at-risk youth and the homeless, and she hopes to one day launch a nonprofit that supports underserved children both academically and spiritually. Whether she’s teaching in the classroom, raising her family, or worshiping from behind the keys, Presley lives with the desire to reflect the grace that transformed her life.

Trish knew the Lord at a young age, attending a Church of Christ. This started off great, but after several church splits, the congregation dwindled. Slowly descending into extreme legalism and an extreme focus on hellfire and brimstone traumatized her as a child. Traumatizing a child is not the way to bring them to God! Trish started to feel like it was a game that was fixed… like God was just out to get us. Why would you follow a God who created man for the sole purpose of burning them in hell? For the sake of her sanity, and because a part of her just knew this couldn't be right—this couldn't be God—she ran... ran from the church, ran from God, straight into her crazy teenage years and young adult life. Many years passed, and we were invited to Trinity Missionary Church. With a new appreciation for life, she actually felt happy to go, as if she was being drawn in. She really enjoyed it. The people there were welcoming, and it just felt safe. It was there she met her Savior, not as the wrathful God she remembered as a child, but as a loving and compassionate friend, willing to give His life for hers. “I still have scars and things I’m working through… but I’m blessed to have a relationship with Jesus, who takes every burden and bears every shame.” Trish had spent several years running a successful tech company, and when one of the older saints asked her to step into the media ministry, she didn’t hesitate. “It was perfect! It combined my work experience with computers, my love of music and worship, and my desire to serve.” She’s spent the last two years leading the media ministry at TMC, where she also became involved with the worship team. When an opportunity opened to provide technical oversight for Just The Cross (JTC), Trish jumped at the chance. “Songs are so impactful… they can reach people who aren’t ready to sit and listen to a sermon yet. They stick in your head and keep your mind with God. Many times I have said ‘Lord send me a song!’ and I’ll hear one that just hits what I need. To be able to help give that to someone who may need it… to present something that resonates with someone, I see as a way to give back and share what I’ve been given.” Trish currently serves JTC as Director of Technical Operations.

Chris grew up in a loving home, and although his parents did not consistently attend church, he absorbed the teachings about a loving God and accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. Most of his church memories are tied to the youth group he attended, which played a significant role in his faith journey. However, during his high school years, his parents divorced, leading Chris into a season of confusion that caused him to drift away from his faith. Over time, God brought restoration, and Chris rediscovered the truth and hope he had known as a child, ultimately rededicating his life to Christ. During this renewed encounter with God’s grace, he met and married his wife, Jodi, and together they have been serving the Lord and walking with Him ever since. Chris has always had a passion for technology, sound, and working behind the scenes, especially in the realm of Christian music. He loves to ensure that every lyric and beat is heard clearly and powerfully, creating an environment where people can encounter Jesus through worship. Chris is excited to use his gifts to glorify God and support the ministry of Just The Cross, particularly as a valuable member of the worship team.

Jeremy asked the Lord to be his Savior after attending a Tuesday night teen devotion for the first time back in middle school. Since then, his life has changed immensely. Jeremy started being mentored by Bro. Zach Arneson and his wife Mallory Arneson, the youth leaders of Grace Missionary Baptist Church. Though young, Jeremy faced some very difficult life situations. At times, he almost decided to give up, but Jesus reminded him that he was not alone! Despite his family mocking his faith in Jesus, Jeremy remained steadfast. He now serves on the Worship Team as the Drummer for Grace Missionary Baptist Church, where he enjoys playing Christian music. In 2023, Jeremy met Bro. Mike Cottrell when he took over the Worship Leader role at Grace Missionary Baptist Church, and they quickly became friends. Additionally, Jeremy serves with the tech team at JTC, helping with Audio and Site Support. He’ll tell you he has always had confidence in the Lord, and now he’s learning to have confidence in who he is, in Jesus.