CONNECTIONS STEWARDSHIP GROUP, LLC
MEET OUR
TEAM
The Connections Stewardship's Team of professionals is comprised of highly skilled individuals who understand that every campaign is unique. We approach each congregation with humility and fervent prayer, knowing that our partnership is, at the same time, professional and personal. We will provide leadership all the way through the process.
Most churches do not have the staffing to take on a major fund-raising project. In the midst of your already busy schedule, Connections Stewardship will help you assess your current stewardship environment, and then provide you an easily followed road map with all of the steps to help you accomplish your goals.
MEET OUR TEAM
Pastor John Cross
Pastor John Cross is the senior partner with Connections Stewardship Group. He has been involved with Stewardship Ministries since 1998. He will serve as the primary consultant for most campaigns. As a parish pastor, John has served congregations of many sizes, with weekly attendance ranging from 50 to well over 600. Similarly, John has led successful stewardship and capital campaigns in over 120 churches of every size, with annual ministry budgets of $100,000 to over $2,000,000. He has maintained his enthusiasm and love for helping congregations reach their goals. Please look at the letters of recommendation to learn how church leaders describe him.
Erin Byrne
Erin is the owner of Dane Creative Designs and has been a graphic designer for 15 years. Erin's first priority is to create print and online materials that represent what her client wants to say and who they are. What a company’s logo, or brochure, or business cards look like speaks volumes about who they are, which is so important when putting their best foot forward. Erin has done various campaign projects for John Cross and Connections Stewardship, and would enjoy working with you!
Mick Manne
Mick Manne has been in development work for over 30 years. Mick has led appeals of all sizes – including some multi-million dollar campaigns. He has worked as stewardship director for such organizations as the Y.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army. Mick understands the fund-raising industry as well as church stewardship. He has served in a number of congregations in various leadership positions. In addition to assisting John with stewardship campaigns, Mick would be the creative director for congregations that would like to produce a professional video. Be sure to check out some of the Vimeo links on this website to see some samples of his excellent work.
Margie & Tom Downing
Margie Downing, Ministry Associate, worked most of her career as a registered client associate at Merrill Lynch and other financial investment firms. She assists John with the marketing of Connections Stewardship. She makes phone calls to congregations hoping to set up personal interviews with John Cross. You will enjoy talking to her. Her husband, Tom, helps set up Excel sheets for tracking of churches and follow up calls and notes. Tom's career was largely finance and administration. He also served as President of Church Council of a Lutheran church that they attended in Ohio.
Anthony Manne
Anthony has been working as a freelance videographer/editor for at least a decade which includes shooting and editing video for many corporate clients. Through his various projects he has honed his storytelling skills and is able to create compelling videos that engage customers. In conjunction with his video editing, he also serves as a technical director for KPHO Channel 5 in Phoenix Arizona and has over 10 years of experience in the news broadcast business. His job has required him to shoot for a variety of different clients and has also allowed him to shoot footage of the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team and the Chicago Bears. Though the years, he has gained the experience to deliver exceptional quality for any type of video a client may need.
Lacey Cole
Lacey Cole is a freelance web designer. She would be available to help any congregation that would like help with their website design, should that need arise. Lacey has knowledge of the key principles of website design, is good at finding solutions, reaches out to her clients regularly, has good communication skills, understands the market, is innovative and a good listener. If your congregation would like to upgrade your website, or create a new one, Lacey has the experience that you need.