Elder Board
Paul Bernard – Lead Pastor
Born in the Mojave Desert of Southern California, Pastor Paul Bernard was raised in Joshua Tree, CA. He grew up in the Catholic church and committed his life to Christ in his late teen years through Inter Varsity. He studied English at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he earned his B.A. and a teaching credential. He went on to teach middle school English for 6 years and then stepped into youth ministry for another 8 years. He earned his Master’s degree from A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Intellectual Leadership.
Pastor Paul served as Lead Pastor for 6 years at Lake Almanor Community Church in Northern California. He was called to Crossroads Christian Fellowship in spring of 2021 where he currently serves as Lead Pastor.
Paul and his wife Carol have been married since 1996 and they have a beautiful daughter named Samantha. She is the highlight of their days. Paul’s passion in the church is for preaching and teaching, and he loves being out in God’s wild places hiking, backpacking, snowboarding and rock climbing.
Tobin Cooley – Elder
Tobin is husband to Denae and father to Peter (+ wife Sarah), Josh, and Lena. For the past 4+ years he has been an active part of Crossroads Church, serving as a worship leader, Young Adult Ministries leader, Young Marrieds leader, audio and video technology advisor, and new building design team member.
His faith journey has been one of deepening dependence on God and humbly sharing God’s gift of salvation with others through worship, discipleship, evangelism, and personal connections. Tobin made a personal commitment to the Lord as a 14-year-old. He was raised in the Methodist church and served as the National Youth Ministries Organization president and was a delegate to the General Conference as well as serving on other world commissions. In the past 22 years he has been an active, consistent member of non-denominational, evangelical, Bible-based churches.
Tobin is founder and chief engineer of Listen Acoustics, Inc., an acoustical engineering company which creates excellent sound in buildings working with architects, builders, and building owners.
Jason Peterson –Elder Vice Chairman
Jason was born & raised on a ranch in eastern New Mexico on the high plains in a community where ‘neighbor’ was a verb. His family was very involved in church & it was a major component in their lives. He accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was 13 because he realized one night he did not want to miss out on Heaven! Later in his teen years God truly became his LORD.
Spending the year of 1994 working at a remote guest ranch near Pikes Peak, Lost Valley Ranch, was challenging & very rewarding – in particular because that is where God brought him to his bride Vangie! In their first married year, 1996, they joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Lakeside, MT, & were promptly asked to help pioneer a new ministry: Cowboys With A Mission. Beginning in Lodgegrass, MT, on the Crow Reservation the Petersons began discipling horse-oriented cultures & individuals all over the world: from Montana & Wyoming to Morocco, Argentina, Mongolia, and Brazil. They worked hard for four years to establish that organization & then were led into a drilling -technology startup in Wyoming. Jason and Vangie soon established their own business & started longing for a family. Eventually two bouncing baby boys arrived & have kept them well entertained ever since. With Levi & Lance, a great dog, & a few horses they have plenty of ‘energy’ around to keep life quite interesting!
Jason and Vangie returned to the Flathead Valley for good in 2006 & have called Crossroads home for most of the years since then. They are very grateful for the privilege of living in this community of Bigfork & the chance to do life with such a variety of outstanding people. What a very special & unique place!
Martin Canell–Elder
Martin Canell was born and raised outside of Erie, Pennsylvania. Due to the prayers of a faithful grandmother, he gave his life to Christ in 1973 (9 years old) at Camp Li-Lo-Li, a Christian Camp in the Alleghany Mountains of New York state. His grandmother secured a sponsorship for him and his two older sisters to attend. As a result, Christian Camping became a significant part of his early Christian life. While in high school and college, he remained very active serving in ministry at various Christian camps.
Following Jesus Christ has always been a deliberate act of faith for Martin. Growing up in a non-Christian family made him search to know God’s word on his own. Desiring to know more, he decided to formally study the Bible at Emmaus Bible College for 2 years prior to regular college. After Emmaus, he attended Trinity International University where he finished his B.A. in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Theology and added a B.S. in Computer Information Systems.
Martin served as an interim youth pastor at the end of college and continued as an active layperson in his local churches while working in the Digital Manufacturing Industry for nearly 40 years. In 2005, Martin married his wife Lenni and raised their blended family of 5 children in Chanhassen, MN. In 2020 they bought a vacation home in Lakeside, Montana, thinking it would be a great place for the kids, spouses and grandkids (4 and 1 more on the way) to enjoy the outdoor life of Montana. However, God had other plans. In early 2021, they felt God’s call to make Lakeside their home and sold their house in Minnesota. This is when they began attending and serving at Crossroads Christian Fellowship. The many blessings that Martin and Lenni have received at Crossroads Christian Fellowship makes it a humbling honor and joy for Martin to serve as an Elder.
Ted Robinson-Elder Treasurer
Ted was born in Pennsylvania, lived in New York and New Jersey, and in 1969 moved to Italy where his family lived for 6 years. In 1976, they moved to Greece. In 1978, his senior year of high school, he took a ski trip with some friends and the first evening there (goofing around of course) Ted tore most of the ligaments in his left ankle. Bedridden in a hotel for three days, Ted was a captive audience for the trip chaperones who were missionaries and witnessed Jesus Christ to him. Growing up in the Catholic church, Ted thought he knew God. When the Spirit opened his eyes, a whole new journey began.
Fast forward to college. Ted foolishly “Back slid” in his faith, but the Lord kept him on a short leash. At that time God brought Kimberly into his life. They married a year after graduation and recommitted their lives to serve Christ and never looked back. Ted and Kimberly have two faithful daughters and five grandkids. Ted and Kimberly have both actively served in the various churches they have attended. Ted has served on numerous non-profit boards and currently serves as Treasurer on the Elder Board.
Anthony Nelson-Elder Board Secretary
Anthony was raised in south and central Minnesota in a Christian family. He grew up in the church, with his best friend as the pastor’s kid and his mother as the worship leader. Even with this, he struggled to find his own personal relationship with Jesus. After marrying his wife, Allison, they were very intentional about finding close Christian friends and building a support team. Moving to Colorado Springs to pursue Anthony’s dream as a zookeeper, they got plugged into a church, small group, and found some great resources as they started having kids.
The Nelson family moved to Bigfork in January, 2018, and lived with family while searching for a house. The boat has been rocked, and the storms have come, but they have been blessed beyond description with a beautiful project house, excellent job, amazing small group, and greater connection to the Lord through it all. Anthony and Allison are huge proponents of visioneering as a family and being intentional about direction and goals in all aspects of life. God is good, and the Nelson family is blessed to be part of the Crossroads family and growing closer to the Lord daily. They want to provide a legacy for their three kids, Finley, Leeland, and Owen, that is set on God’s perfect plan.
Gary Hinshaw -Elder Chairman
Gary was raised in the small town of Oakdale in the central valley of California. He grew up with the support of a strong family environment but without a Christian foundation. In junior high, his best friend invited him to church. He could feel the Lord’s tug but didn’t fully understand the commitment he made. When he thinks about that time in my life, he is reminded of John 15:16 “You did not choose me, I chose you...”
The Lord brought Alicia and her nine year old daughter Amy into his life in 1990. They became best friends and partners for life. Gary was saved in 1993 and baptized in 1994 at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto. Gary and Alicia married in 1994 and purchased a small almond farm in central California. He worked for Modesto Fire Department and Alicia worked as an emergency room nurse/flight nurse. Gary quickly promoted up the ranks to Fire Chief in Modesto.
After 40 years in the fire service, Gary retired leaving behind a successful career. In 2018, Gary and Alicia visited Bigfork and knew that God was calling them here. Upon moving here in 2020, they tried a few churches in the area before landing at Crossroads. After being warmly welcomed and experiencing a great time of worship, they agreed they had found their church home. Many times since that day, they have said that they “came to Montana for the beauty of the mountains and truly found the beauty of the people.”
Gary and Alicia look forward to what God has planned for Crossroads Christian Fellowship and for their ability to serve. He is honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as an Elder at Crossroads.