DEACON BOARD
WHAT IS A DEACON?
Deacons are servant leaders who serve under the authority of the Elder Board. They oversee and meet the practical, physical, logistical, and compassionate needs of the church, supporting the ministries of the church and helping create a culture of service and care.
Deacons may recommend policies, projects, and expenditures to the Elders, but do not hold governing or spiritual oversight authority.
Mike Pesola — Deacon Chair
Mike was raised in a large Catholic family in New York City. After having helped run a lumberyard with his father and brothers, Mike eventually became a general contractor. He then ran a company called Bedrock Construction with his partners for almost 34 years. Mike met Sara in 1978 and married her in 1985. Mike was saved in 1990 and Sara soon after. In his last two churches, Mike was part of two church building teams, was an elder, a deacon, a personnel team leader, a teacher, delivered sermons, and was on two worship teams.
Mike brings his construction experience and love of the Lord to the Deacon team, taking an active role in the projects that take place in our building on our grounds and helping out wherever he sees a need.
Jim Rutske-Deacon (Secretary)
Jim was the youngest of six kids in a Christian home in Apple Valley, Minnesota. At 17, Jim joined the Air Force and led a 20-year active-duty career with 7 additional contracted years in Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the military’s bomb squad. Jim met his lovely wife, Dacia, in the Air Force. They have been married 26 years and have two boys, Blake, 23, and Cody, 20.
Through retirement, the Lord brought Jim and Dacia to Bigfork in 2019, where they found a church home in Crossroads Christian Fellowship. They have volunteered for various ministries along the journey, and Jim currently serves on the Security Team, Deacon board, and Eden’s Child ministry.
Isaac Poole—Deacon
Isaac Poole has lived in the Flathead Valley for 19 years and worked at construction and home building. Currently he builds custom houses in the Bigfork area. He has been married for 21 years to Kristie. They are raising and homeschooling their six children, Jayven, Darien, Zion, Kaelyn, Ashlyn, &Weston, in the woods near Echo Lake. The two oldest are already moved out and on to otheradventures.
On days off in the summer, Isaac is likely boating, mountain biking, backpacking in the backcountry, or camping with his family. He loves the outdoors and especially loves winter and snowmobiling.
Shawn Mahoney - Deacon (Security Team)
Shawn started his walk with Jesus at birth, being born to a minister father. Shawn and April professed their faith in 2013 and have continued to walk with the Lord and grow their faith. Shawn and April have three wonderful daughters, Kelsey (26), Ella (19) and Autumn (16).
After 18 years in the fire service, Shawn and April relocated to the valley in 2022 and embarked on a fresh start. They have started a construction company after growing up in the trade. They found Crossroads shortly after moving here and have been an active part of the Crossroads family since. April serves in hospitality and Shawn leads the Security Team.
Jim Crowe - Deacon
Jim was raised in a small town in southern Oregon. He grew up around a dairy farm so chores and work came at an early age. He learned mechanical, carpenter and electrician skills from both his dad and grandad. He met the love of his life, Echo, and has now been married 41 years with two children, Zach and Jaz, and three grandchildren. At the age of 43, after much prayer from family and friends, Jim accepted Jesus into his heart. Since that time so much has changed. In 2005 he took a mission trip to Mexico with his son where he learned his heart for mission work. Since coming to Crossroads 4 years ago, he has become a greeter with Echo, a few months ago became a Deacon, is on the Mission Equip and Go committee, and has led 2 mission trips to Tijuana with more in the future.
Adam Bradbury - Deacon
Adam Bradbury was born in Carson City, Nevada, and spent most of his school-ageyears living in Maryland. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, before returning to Maryland to begin his professional career in the automotive industry. Montana has always held a special place in Adam's heart. In 2014, the mountains called him home, and he made the move to Montana full-time.There, he married the love of his life, Paula Love. Adam and Paula live in the Ferndalearea and have been attending Crossroads together since 2023. It was in the woods and mountains of Montana that Adam discovered his faith and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Since then, his wife, his Crossroads family, and a calling to serve others have been a continual blessing in his life.